Graphic Designer 3

Job Title: Graphic Designer 3 - Basketball Apparel Production Artist
Location: Beaverton, OR (PHK) - Hybrid
Duration: 6 Months Contract

Position Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Graphic Designer 3 - Basketball Apparel Production Artist to join a global sportswear client's Basketball Design AP Excellence team. This role is a unique combination of Production Artist and Graphic Designer, focused on translating creative concepts into production-ready apparel graphics and technical schematics for factory execution.
The ideal candidate will have strong apparel graphic design experience, particularly within athletic apparel, basketball, promotional products, and cut-and-sew garments. This individual will collaborate closely with Graphic Designers, Apparel Designers, Product Management, Technical Development, and Material Development teams to ensure accurate execution of graphics from concept through production.

Team Information:
• Basketball Graphic Design Team
• Design AP Excellence
• Production Artist Apparel Digital Design
• Supports Basketball Athlete and Licensed Apparel Programs
• Collaborative partnership with Apparel Design, Product Creation, Technical Development, and Product Management teams

Key Responsibilities
• Convert graphic design concepts into production-ready artwork and factory-ready schematics.
• Create detailed line art, technical drawings, graphic layouts, and production documentation for apparel product creation.
• Build and maintain accurate graphic schematics for screen prints, sublimation graphics, trims, embellishments, and specialty applications.
• Prepare production files and artwork packages for manufacturing partners.
• Collaborate with designers to ensure creative intent is maintained throughout product development.
• Review graphics for accuracy, scalability, and production feasibility.
• Support high-volume apparel graphic creation while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Track revisions and maintain artwork accuracy through final approval.
• Partner with cross-functional teams throughout the product creation lifecycle.
• Contribute to basketball, athlete, professional league, and promotional apparel projects.

Required Qualifications
• 5+ years of experience in Apparel Graphic Design and/or Production Art.
• Strong experience creating production-ready graphics for apparel products.
• Experience supporting cut-and-sew apparel production.
• Ability to translate graphic concepts into technical schematics and factory-ready artwork.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating apparel graphics, line art, technical schematics, and production files.
• Experience working with athletic apparel, sportswear, or promotional apparel.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong understanding of apparel production processes and graphic execution methods.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience supporting basketball, athlete-driven, professional sports league, or licensed apparel products.
• Experience creating schematics for screen printing, sublimation, trims, rhinestones, and specialty embellishments.
• Knowledge of apparel product creation workflows.
• Experience working directly with athletes or athlete-focused brands.
• Previous experience with a leading sportswear or apparel brand is preferred but not required.
• Experience with 3D apparel tools such as CLO or similar platforms is a plus.

Portfolio Requirements
Candidates must present 3-5 relevant portfolio examples during the first interview, including:
• Apparel graphic design projects
• Technical schematics and line art
• Factory-ready production artwork
• Athletic apparel or sportswear graphics
• Product creation documentation and production files

Additional Notes
• Open to candidates from large brands, emerging brands, and smaller apparel companies.
• Previous client experience is preferred but not required.
• Strong apparel graphic design experience is mandatory.
• Candidates with UX, Product UX, or Digital UX backgrounds without apparel experience will not be considered.
• Team will provide training on client-specific tools and processes.