Contract Graphic Designer, Visual Merchandising & Packaging

PopSockets•Boulder, CO, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

PopSockets is a global digital-lifestyle company founded in 2014, known for its iconic phone grips and expanding ecosystem of related products. The company's mission is to empower enhanced mobile functionality, self-expression, and authentic human connection, with a commitment to ethical and responsible practices. PopSockets was recognized by Fast Company as one of the World's Most Innovative Companies in 2021. This contract role is for a Visual Designer to lead and execute packaging design for new and existing products, ensuring brand presence on-shelf and in-hand across the US and China. The role also supports visual merchandising for Wholesale and Owned Retail channels in both regions, focusing on fixtures, displays, and retail toolkits. The position is based at the global headquarters in Colorado and requires collaboration with partners across different time zones.

Requirements

5–7+ years of experience in packaging design for consumer products, including concept-to-print execution (dielines, print-ready files, color, and production specs).
Visual merchandising/retail design experience is a strong plus.
Strong understanding of packaging as a retail touchpoint (on-shelf readability, hierarchy, and compliance) and of retail environments, US wholesale accounts, and in-store execution.
Hands-on experience with packaging production workflows—managing dielines, prepress, proofs, and print vendors; strong attention to color accuracy and quality control.
Proven experience working across global teams or multiple regions (US + China experience strongly preferred).
High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Illustrator and InDesign for packaging systems); strong file hygiene and versioning.
Strong project management instincts—able to manage multiple workstreams without losing attention to detail.
Clear, confident communicator who can collaborate across creative, commercial, and operational teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience with 3D, CAD, or render tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead new product and line-extension packaging design projects from concept through final, print-ready artwork.
Ensure packaging aligns with brand standards, retail requirements, and regional regulations (US + China).
Partner with Creative, Product Marketing, Product, and Engineering to manage feedback, revisions, dielines, and production specs efficiently.
Collaborate with Supply Chain and Operations to ensure packaging is manufacturable, cost-conscious, and delivered on timeline.
Lead the design development of visual merchandising programs across wholesale, owned retail, and shop-in-shop environments in the US and China.
Design in-store fixtures, displays, signage, planograms, and retail toolkits that elevate the brand and drive conversion.
Translate global brand vision into regionally relevant retail executions, adapting for market needs while maintaining brand consistency.
Own creative from brief through final production: concepting, design, iterative feedback, and production-ready files.
Partner closely with Wholesale, Owned Retail, Sales, Marketing Ops and Regional teams to align on retail strategy, timelines, and execution needs.
Serve as the design bridge between US HQ and China, working with the Head of Creative in China to ensure seamless collaboration and high-quality output.
Collaborate with Product, Supply Chain, and Operations to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-conscious, and on schedule.
Establish and maintain clear workflows, timelines, and approval processes for visual merchandising and packaging design.
Manage external vendors and partners as needed (packaging print vendors, fixture fabricators, and VM agencies).
Ensure all outputs meet quality, brand, and execution standards across regions.