Men's Graphic Designer

Role Summary

The Men’s Graphic Designer is responsible for developing and executing original graphic artwork across a Prominent Surf Brand in Men’s apparel. This role translates seasonal concepts, surf culture, consumer insights, and contemporary visual trends into compelling graphics that reinforce the brands identity as an authentic, performance driven surf and lifestyle brand.

Working closely with Men’s Design, Merchandising, and Product Development, the designer develops graphic collections across lifestyle apparel, surf, and related product categories. The role balances creative expression, brand heritage, trend relevance, and commercial execution while ensuring artwork is appropriate for the product, consumer, and intended application.

Key Responsibilities & Job Duties

1. Graphic Design & Seasonal Concept Development

• Develop original graphics for tees and fleece
• Create typography, logos, illustrations, badges, placements, and graphic systems aligned with seasonal direction.
• Translate creative concepts into cohesive graphic stories across the Men’s collection.
• Balance heritage-inspired branding, contemporary graphics, and innovative visual treatments.
• Ensure graphic direction supports the Prominent Surf Brand, snow, and lifestyle positioning.

2. Market Shopping & Cultural Research

• Conduct market research across surf, snow, skate, streetwear, outdoor, and lifestyle brands.
• Identify emerging trends in typography, illustration, vintage references, branding, and graphic application.
• Analyze competitive product, retail presentation, and consumer preferences to identify opportunities.
• Translate relevant cultural and marketplace insights into original, commercially relevant artwork.

3. Brand Identity & Product Expression

• Develop graphics that reinforce surf heritage and active outdoor lifestyle.
• Maintain consistency across logos, brand marks, graphic treatments, and seasonal storytelling.
• Explore opportunities to refresh heritage graphics and introduce new visual directions.
• Ensure artwork complements garment silhouettes, color palettes, fabrications, and intended end use.

4. Technical Artwork & Production

• Prepare accurate, production ready artwork, color separations, placement specifications, and technical files.
• Apply knowledge of screen printing, digital printing, embroidery, heat transfers, and specialty embellishments.
• Partner with Product Development and vendors to resolve artwork and production issues.
• Review strike-offs, artwork submissions, and production samples for color, scale, placement, and quality.
• Ensure final execution meets design intent, cost targets, and production requirements.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Men’s Apparel Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Marketing, and Production.
• Present seasonal graphic concepts and artwork direction to internal teams.
• Support product reviews and seasonal line presentations.
• Manage revisions, approvals, and deliverables within established development calendars.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or related field preferred.
• 3–5+ years of apparel graphic design experience, preferably in surf, action sports, outdoor, streetwear, or lifestyle.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating original apparel graphics, typography, illustration, and brand identity work.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Knowledge of apparel printing, embroidery, embellishment, and production processes.
• Strong understanding of men’s apparel, surf and snow culture, and lifestyle markets.
• Strong visual communication, color, composition, and technical execution skills.
• Ability to balance creative innovation with brand consistency, commercial needs, and production deadlines.
• Passion for surf, snow, outdoor adventure, and the culture surrounding these activities.