Associate Graphic Designer (Hardlines)

At DICK’S Sporting Goods , we believe in how positively sports can change lives. On our team, everyone plays a critical role in creating confidence and excitement by personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce, reflecting the communities we serve.

If you are ready to make a difference as part of the world’s greatest sports team, apply to join our team today!

Overview The Associate Graphic Designer will support the creation and execution of on-product graphics, color applications, print and pattern treatments, and visual branding elements across Team Sports, Fitness, Racquet, and other Hardlines categories. Working under the direction of the Lead Graphic Designer and in partnership with Industrial Design, Business Development, Sourcing and other cross-functional teams, this role will translate consumer trends, brand direction, and product strategies into manufacturable graphic solutions for physical products. The Associate Graphic Designer will develop knowledge of product materials, techniques, embellishments, manufacturing processes, and factory capabilities to ensure graphics and color applications are visually compelling, commercially appropriate, and executable in production.

Creative Concept

• Design and execute on Product Graphics from established color and graphic trends.
• Leveraging outside trend services, online research, and social channels (YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, etc.), collect content to represent and illustrate current and future trends as related to product categories.
• Create mood boards, visual line plans, and any visual tools to use in presentations.
• Project manage and track updates for all assigned projects
• React with business initiatives involving product, design, merchandising, and process.
• Ideate with the Graphic Design Manager to drive newness and innovation
• Manage the concept sample organization and uphold each season’s presentation set-up.
• Reinforce a process to relay important trend & concept information to cross functional teams.
• Communicates thoughts, ideas, information and messages in a logical, organized and coherent manner.

Build Cross Functional Partnership

• Attend seasonal line review with Leadership across Product Development and Merchandising with guidance from the Graphic Design Manager
• Attend seasonal strategy meetings with Industrial Design, Business Development, and Brand Design.
• Partner with Industrial Design, Brand Design, and Business Development to ensure all supporting collateral developed in support of assigned category(s) aligns with the overall aesthetic direction of the seasonal line.
• Communicate with the HKO office and directly with manufacturing vendors to maintain design intent.

Customer Focus

• Keep up-to-date information of customer identity and interests relating to social and cultural influences and relay information to Industrial Design, Brand Design, and Business Development
• Shop competition, attend trade shows and meet with market influencers to take photos/buy samples to pull together inspiration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Arts, Graphic Design, or related field
• 5-7 years of related experience
• Experienced in Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically Illustrator and Photoshop
• Strong taste level and knowledge of current and future global trends
• Product/apparel graphic experience
• Strong knowledge of materials, graphic production processes, and manufacturing processes

Virtual Requirements At DICK’S, we thrive on innovation and authenticity. That said, to protect the integrity and security of our hiring process, we ask that candidates do not use AI tools (like ChatGPT or others) during interviews or assessments.

To ensure a smooth and secure experience, please note the following:

• Cameras must be on during all virtual interviews.
• AI tools are not permitted to be used by the candidate during any part of the interview process.
• Offers are contingent upon a satisfactory background check which may include ID verification.

If you have any questions or need accommodations, we’re here to help. Thanks for helping us keep the process fair and secure for everyone!