Associate Concept Artist - Merch

Catface•Austin, TX

2d•$60,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

Catface is seeking an Associate Merchandise Concept Designer to join its Merchandise team in Austin, Texas. The role develops Aphmau merchandise concepts from initial research and ideation through polished, production-usable artwork. The designer owns defined portions of merchandise collections, creating a range of product directions, refining selected concepts, and preparing final artwork for vendor use. The position combines character illustration skills with commercial judgment, and works with moderate oversight while managing routine creative problems and production deadlines. The designer typically works on three to four collections at a time, across different development stages. A steady month may involve approximately 24–32 initial product sketches, 10–16 refined concepts, and 8–12 final-art deliverables. The work includes regular sketch reviews and feedback rounds, as well as periods focused on exploration, reference-gathering, and preparing files for vendor handoff. The position reports to the Merchandise Manager and works alongside Concept and Graphic Designers, as well as Brand, Licensing, Merchandise Production, Marketing, and E-commerce. Approved artwork is handed off to Merchandise Production for vendor development, sampling, and manufacturing; file quality and completeness support a smooth production process.

Requirements

2–4 years of merchandise, consumer product, or character-based design experience.
A portfolio demonstrating the progression from research and ideation through finished, production-usable artwork.
Strong Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills.
Competence in pattern, icon, and surface design development.
Working knowledge of brand and character style guides and licensed product requirements.
Ability to manage several concurrent assignments against a development calendar and consistently meet deadlines.
Strong character drawing fundamentals, including proportion, expression, and consistency with an established model.
Comfort giving and receiving direct creative critique and separating feedback on the work from feedback on oneself.
Clear communication skills, including the ability to explain why a concept works commercially.
Discipline in file organization, naming conventions, and version control.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing across plush, collectibles, apparel, accessories, stationery, or home décor.
Experience working with overseas vendors and reviewing proofs, samples, or digital renderings.
Familiarity with creator-led brands, fandom-driven products, or licensed entertainment merchandise.
Curiosity about the Aphmau universe or willingness to learn it quickly; story accuracy is important.

Responsibilities

Research assigned merchandise collections and develop mood boards.
Create multiple product-sketch directions for assigned characters, themes, categories, or collection stories.
Explore product silhouettes, character applications, poses, expressions, patterns, graphics, materials, functions, and interactive features.
Refine thumbnails into concept art that communicates product form, visual hierarchy, story connection, and consumer appeal.
Identify collection hero pieces and supporting products, coordinated items, and collectible variations.
Suggest product categories, price points, production feasibility, and sales channels during concept development.
Annotate sketches to clearly communicate intended materials, artwork placements, features, and story references.
Translate approved concepts into polished final merchandise artwork, including character illustrations, placement graphics, patterns, icons, decorative elements, colorways, and surface designs.
Prepare artwork to the correct dimensions, scale, resolution, color mode, and file format for each product category.
Build colorway and artwork-placement variations and organize layered master files for teammates and vendors.
Incorporate feedback from Brand, Licensing, Merchandise Production, and creative leadership while preserving approved story intent.
Review vendor proofs and artwork interpretations, identify deviations from approved artwork, and correct routine issues.
Present design directions and explain the rationale behind them.
Manage multiple collections and assignments at different stages, participate in sketch reviews and feedback rounds, and meet production deadlines.
Coordinate with Merchandise Production and partner teams, providing complete, organized artwork files for vendor development and manufacturing.