Graphic Designer (12-month Fixed Term Contract)

The Pokémon Company International•Bellevue, WA

4h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. Creative Concepting & Collaboration Collaborate with the Merchandise Development team and cross‑functional partners to understand the project assignment, product brief, audience, and intended message. Create original visual media—illustrations, graphics, patterns, and layouts—that support compelling, unified product stories. Contribute to product line briefs, concept suggestions, and overall ideation for seasonal and capsule collections. Design for Physical Goods Primarily create graphic concepts for physical goods featuring a variety of Pokémon and product types by leveraging existing assets and creating new supporting graphics while ensuring all graphics respect product and production limitations. Adapt artwork to manufacturing processes (e.g., screen print, embroidery, heat transfer/heat setting, appliqué, sublimation, embossing/debossing, specialty inks, woven/printed labels, molded elements). Translate 2D artwork into production‑ready files that maintain integrity across various substrates, textures, and sizes (flat and 3D forms). Brand Integrity, Layout, and Typography Uphold brand standards and licensing requirements; ensure character accuracy and consistency across merchandise and packaging. Choose appropriate graphics, clip art, and stock photography; enhance choices with custom drawings and vector illustration as needed. Select fonts and produce sample layouts/placements for approval; solve complex design problems involving brand integrity and diversified graphics. Review, Routing, and Production Route all stages of art concepts for cross‑department sign‑offs, ensuring work meets brand standards, briefs, and production expectations. Prepare drafts and prototypes for review; revise based on collaborative feedback to reach final approval. Support Production Design and on time file deliveries. Partner with development and vendor teams to review strike‑offs, proofs, and samples, providing clear feedback to ensure quality and fidelity. Research & Trend Development Research and create diversified, brand‑appropriate graphics and illustrations. Research seasonal trends; identify new colors, fabrics, and silhouettes for conceptual development and product storytelling. Occasionally work from pre‑existing style guides, problem‑solving for product design and production constraints. Process, Standards & Teamwork Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders to drive efficient processes and transparent communication. Consult with the relevant manager, director, and/or team on complex or specialized projects. Meet all department and corporate business requirements, including those regarding work hours, conduct, and teamwork.

Requirements

3–5 years of experience in graphic design for soft and/or hard goods (consumer products such as apparel, decor, packaging).
Conceptual and practical knowledge of print technology for physical goods (including, but not limited to screen print, embroidery, heat setting, sublimation).
Experience preparing production‑ready files and working within manufacturing constraints/templates.
Proficiency creating design work aligned to brand and licensing requirements
Basic illustration and strong vector skills.
Expert proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite on macOS; proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and similar design tools.
Basic knowledge of related areas: marketing, merchandising, licensing.
High degree of originality and creativity, providing valuable design insights that support product strategy.
Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to present designs to stakeholders and proactively communicate risks/schedule impacts.
Ability to work collaboratively in a cross‑functional environment and independently with strong initiative, organization, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Merchandise Development team and cross‑functional partners to understand the project assignment, product brief, audience, and intended message.
Create original visual media—illustrations, graphics, patterns, and layouts—that support compelling, unified product stories.
Contribute to product line briefs, concept suggestions, and overall ideation for seasonal and capsule collections.
Primarily create graphic concepts for physical goods featuring a variety of Pokémon and product types by leveraging existing assets and creating new supporting graphics while ensuring all graphics respect product and production limitations.
Adapt artwork to manufacturing processes (e.g., screen print, embroidery, heat transfer/heat setting, appliqué, sublimation, embossing/debossing, specialty inks, woven/printed labels, molded elements).
Translate 2D artwork into production‑ready files that maintain integrity across various substrates, textures, and sizes (flat and 3D forms).
Uphold brand standards and licensing requirements; ensure character accuracy and consistency across merchandise and packaging.
Choose appropriate graphics, clip art, and stock photography; enhance choices with custom drawings and vector illustration as needed.
Select fonts and produce sample layouts/placements for approval; solve complex design problems involving brand integrity and diversified graphics.
Route all stages of art concepts for cross‑department sign‑offs, ensuring work meets brand standards, briefs, and production expectations.
Prepare drafts and prototypes for review; revise based on collaborative feedback to reach final approval.
Support Production Design and on time file deliveries.
Partner with development and vendor teams to review strike‑offs, proofs, and samples, providing clear feedback to ensure quality and fidelity.
Research and create diversified, brand‑appropriate graphics and illustrations.
Research seasonal trends; identify new colors, fabrics, and silhouettes for conceptual development and product storytelling.
Occasionally work from pre‑existing style guides, problem‑solving for product design and production constraints.
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders to drive efficient processes and transparent communication.
Consult with the relevant manager, director, and/or team on complex or specialized projects.
Meet all department and corporate business requirements, including those regarding work hours, conduct, and teamwork.