Packaging Designer

Gold Medal International•New York, NY

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

Gold Medal International (GMI) is seeking a detail-oriented and highly creative Packaging Designer responsible for managing and designing packaging for their brands. This role reports directly to the Director of Design and Merchandising and is part of the Design department in the New York metropolitan area. The NYC office utilizes a hybrid-remote operational model, requiring employees to commute to the office two times per week and as needed thereafter. GMI is looking for a designer who is both a creative thinker and a packaging problem-solver, comfortable developing creative concepts and ensuring their feasibility in production. The ideal candidate possesses a strong visual eye, a passion for retail packaging, and the technical skills to manage a concept from initial idea through dieline development, artwork, sampling, and final production. A natural eye for color, typography, materials, finishes, and visual merchandising, along with a playful, unexpected, and sometimes kitschy point of view, is desired.

Requirements

Strong visual eye.
Passion for retail packaging.
Technical skills to take a concept from an initial idea through dieline development, artwork, sampling and final production.
Natural eye for color, typography, materials, finishes and visual merchandising.
Playful, unexpected and sometimes kitschy point of view.
Strong eye for detail.
Excellent communication skills.
Digital design experience in the industry.
Able to learn systems and technology quickly.
Handle a fast-paced environment.
Desire to grow and develop as a skilled member of the Design team.
Able to collaborate with others while working remotely or in the office.
Proficient with the Office 365 application, Adobe Suite (especially Illustrator and Photoshop), InDesign is a plus.
Understanding of Paper stocks, weights, textures, and finishes.
Ability to create and interpret packaging die lines.
Experience reviewing physical packaging samples, put-ups, and proofs.
Ability to problem-solve and think independently.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Organized and operates with a high level of autonomy and attention to detail.
Take the initiative to identify tasks beyond your immediate workload.
Ability to work asynchronously and synchronously.
Experience working with hybrid-remote and remote teams.
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or High School Diploma and at least 3 years of relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

InDesign is a plus.

Responsibilities

Creation of new packaging for development.
Verifying layout accuracy for production.
Developing Shippers and PDQ’s for Customers.
Managing Put Up Library for all brands.
Develop original packaging concepts from initial brief through final production.
Create innovative packaging shapes, structures and presentation ideas that elevate the product.
Think beyond traditional packaging formats and explore creative ways for products to be presented, displayed and interacted with.
Develop packaging that is visually compelling and appropriate for the target consumer and retail environment.
Create creative packaging callouts, taglines, icons, badges and product benefit communication.
Use color, typography, graphics and imagery to create strong visual hierarchy and immediate shelf impact.
Develop multiple creative directions and present concepts with a clear creative rationale.
Stay current on packaging, graphic design, retail and consumer trends.
Create and modify packaging dielines and translate 2D artwork into functional packaging structures.
Develop accurate, production-ready mechanical files in Adobe Illustrator.
Understand bleeds, cut lines, fold lines, glue areas, perforations and safe zones.
Prepare artwork for print using appropriate CMYK, Pantone and spot-color specifications.
Research and recommend appropriate paper stocks, weights, textures and specialty finishes.
Work with printers, packaging vendors and manufacturers to troubleshoot technical and production issues.
Review proofs, prototypes and physical samples and make necessary revisions.
Ensure packaging concepts are both creatively strong and commercially/technically feasible.
Collaborate closely with Design, Merchandising, Sales and Production teams.
Work with vendors and manufacturers throughout the development process.
Communicate creative concepts and technical requirements clearly.
Manage multiple packaging projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Incorporate feedback while maintaining the overall creative vision.