Associate Graphic Designer

The Bernard Group • Chanhassen, MN

7h

About The Position

The Associate Graphic Designer helps bring brands to life through design for print, packaging, signage, presentations, retail environments, and fixtures. Working closely with senior designers and Account and Design teams, the role contributes to creative concepts and visual assets for multichannel marketing and fixturing campaigns. The position spans sketching, storytelling, design exploration, production-ready artwork, and presentation preparation, balancing creativity and precision to deliver high-quality work on time.

This role contributes throughout the design lifecycle, from early ideation through final artwork execution. It develops graphics that address merchant needs and project guidelines and budgets, prepares press-ready files and mockups, reviews proofs, and maintains organized artwork and reference files. The designer manages tasks across multiple active projects in a fast-paced environment and adapts to changing priorities.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Compensation is $45,000–$50,000 annually. The Bernard Group is a 1,000-person, 100% employee-owned visual merchandising company. Its teams serve retail brands through design and production, using sustainable materials sourced from eco-friendly partners that support social change and community involvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Communication Design, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in graphic or 2D design.
• Strong portfolio showcasing conceptual sketches, brand and layout work, and production-ready artwork.
• Familiarity with typography, color theory, brand systems, and print production.
• Strong understanding of design theory, spatial visualization, typography, and composition.
• Ability to develop quick thumbnail sketches and digital concepts to explore style directions efficiently.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
• Meticulous attention to detail in prepress production, dielines, color management, artwork packaging, and file organization.
• Ability to communicate design ideas effectively and collaborate constructively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to prepare visual comps, mockups, and mood boards for retail concepts.
• Ability to work independently and manage assigned workflows across multiple active projects.
• Experience with print execution across graphic substrates including acrylic, vinyl, metal, and corrugate.
• Proactive curiosity about new materials, design trends, and production techniques.
• Effective verbal and written communication, listening skills, and ability to present ideas concisely and effectively.
• Trustworthiness, reliability, adaptability, enthusiasm for new challenges, willingness to acknowledge mistakes, and commitment to customers and teammates.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in retail, exhibit, packaging, or branded-environment design.
• Exposure to Figma, KeyShot, or SketchUp.

Responsibilities

• Assist in translating board creative concepts, briefs, and marketing strategies into graphics for retail environments, signage, packaging, and fixtures.
• Develop design solutions with visual quality and merchant needs in mind while working within project guidelines and budgets.
• Contribute throughout the design lifecycle, from sketching, ideation, and exploration to final artwork execution.
• Balance tasks across multiple active projects and organize deliverables to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Participate in design reviews, brainstorming sessions, and presentation preparation, incorporating feedback to refine work.
• Build press-ready print files, custom dielines, bleeds, and color specifications, and review proofs for technical accuracy across fixture sizes.
• Gather visual, typographic, and material references to inform concepts and explore trends and design techniques.
• Maintain organized artwork files, fonts, brand assets, and references for team collaboration and future access.
• Adapt to changing project priorities and take on other design tasks that support broader team goals.
• Collaborate with senior designers and Account and Design teams to develop visual assets and creative approaches.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off that increases with tenure.
• Healthcare benefits.
• Dental insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Disability coverage.
• Paid parental leave.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Career development opportunities.
• Flexible work hours.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee referral program.
• Safe and clean manufacturing environment.
• Collaborative and team-oriented culture.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level