Digital AI Designer

Zippo Manufacturing Company•Bradford, PA

23h

About The Position

Digital / AI Designer PRIMARY DUTIES: Assist in executing high-quality design work to apply artwork to a variety of Zippo and Case products following established principles and best practices. Contribute to original designs from concept to completion using both traditional design skills, including composition and color theory, and AI-powered tools/workflows. Strong aesthetic judgement, attention to detail, and ability to balance creative quality with efficiency in a manufacturing environment. Adaptability and a growth mindset with a passion for learning about and mastering creative tools and technologies. Support the integration of AI-generated assets into design workflows without compromising output quality. Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive systems that integrate traditional and AI-generated assets, including libraries of effective prompts, design assets, and templates. Lead researching, prototyping, implementing, and optimizing AI-generative tools to innovate and improve the use of such tools throughout the design process and creative workflows. Knowledge of AI model behaviors, awareness of AI limitations, and ability to apply creative solutions as challenges arise. Support prompt development to guide and improve the visual accuracy and contextual relevance of AI-generated content. Help analyze AI-generated outputs and apply traditional design techniques to enhance quality and visual appeal. Comprehensive understanding of the ethical use of AI-generative tools, intellectual property and copyright considerations, and responsible AI-driven content strategies. Assist in analyzing performance data utilizing metrics to evaluate and improve creative content, refine design approaches and improve effectiveness of workflows. Familiarity with digital asset management systems and version control tools. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance workflows and develop automation solutions. Help explore and improve repetitive workflows utilizing AI-generative tools for the optimization of production files for engraving customization (for example: Auto Engrave, Deep Carve, Multi Cut, etc.). Develop training and guide team members on workflow improvements and effective use of AI-generative tools within design workflows to elevate creative standards across the organization. Work with vendors as needed to ensure AI-assisted outputs are optimized for high-quality physical manufacture. Generate options to apply creatively across products and mediums and create collections of potential new conceptual options on the spot based on a single source design. Ability to work collaboratively with traditional artists and adapt AI-generative tools to enhance rather than replace human creativity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, maintain, and improve workflows for the application of creative designs onto 3D models to create photo-realistic digital output of manufactured products. Present insights, workflow improvements, efficiency gains, and AI-driven strategies to non-technical stakeholders Ability to maintain confidentiality of upcoming product releases, development projects and other sensitive information. Follow established brand standards, licensor style guides, production method guidelines, templates/die lines, and department procedures in the creation and preparation of accurate designs. Assist in adapting art and design styles to best suit each request, custom imprint technique, and product, bearing in mind the resulting production-ready artwork files must also meet all manufacturing guidelines. Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple priorities, balance and reprioritize shifting tasks as needed. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to determine the optimal approach for each project Assure deadlines and schedules are met. Check own finished work for accuracy. Perform related, additional duties or special assignments, as directed and as needed. Smoking is permitted in most areas of Zippo workplace facilities, other than certain designated non-smoking areas

Requirements

Strong aesthetic judgement, attention to detail, and ability to balance creative quality with efficiency in a manufacturing environment.
Adaptability and a growth mindset with a passion for learning about and mastering creative tools and technologies.
Knowledge of AI model behaviors, awareness of AI limitations, and ability to apply creative solutions as challenges arise.
Comprehensive understanding of the ethical use of AI-generative tools, intellectual property and copyright considerations, and responsible AI-driven content strategies.
Familiarity with digital asset management systems and version control tools.
Ability to work collaboratively with traditional artists and adapt AI-generative tools to enhance rather than replace human creativity.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of upcoming product releases, development projects and other sensitive information.
Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple priorities, balance and reprioritize shifting tasks as needed.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to determine the optimal approach for each project
Assure deadlines and schedules are met.

Responsibilities

Assist in executing high-quality design work to apply artwork to a variety of Zippo and Case products following established principles and best practices.
Contribute to original designs from concept to completion using both traditional design skills, including composition and color theory, and AI-powered tools/workflows.
Support the integration of AI-generated assets into design workflows without compromising output quality.
Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive systems that integrate traditional and AI-generated assets, including libraries of effective prompts, design assets, and templates.
Lead researching, prototyping, implementing, and optimizing AI-generative tools to innovate and improve the use of such tools throughout the design process and creative workflows.
Support prompt development to guide and improve the visual accuracy and contextual relevance of AI-generated content.
Help analyze AI-generated outputs and apply traditional design techniques to enhance quality and visual appeal.
Assist in analyzing performance data utilizing metrics to evaluate and improve creative content, refine design approaches and improve effectiveness of workflows.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance workflows and develop automation solutions.
Help explore and improve repetitive workflows utilizing AI-generative tools for the optimization of production files for engraving customization (for example: Auto Engrave, Deep Carve, Multi Cut, etc.).
Develop training and guide team members on workflow improvements and effective use of AI-generative tools within design workflows to elevate creative standards across the organization.
Work with vendors as needed to ensure AI-assisted outputs are optimized for high-quality physical manufacture.
Generate options to apply creatively across products and mediums and create collections of potential new conceptual options on the spot based on a single source design.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, maintain, and improve workflows for the application of creative designs onto 3D models to create photo-realistic digital output of manufactured products.
Present insights, workflow improvements, efficiency gains, and AI-driven strategies to non-technical stakeholders
Follow established brand standards, licensor style guides, production method guidelines, templates/die lines, and department procedures in the creation and preparation of accurate designs.
Assist in adapting art and design styles to best suit each request, custom imprint technique, and product, bearing in mind the resulting production-ready artwork files must also meet all manufacturing guidelines.
Check own finished work for accuracy.
Perform related, additional duties or special assignments, as directed and as needed.