Senior Designer – Licensed Consumer Products (Publishing & Board Games)
Location: Universal City, CA
Employment Type: Contract (40 hours per week)
Duration through February 2027
Rate: $30-32/hour
Position Overview
We are seeking a Senior Designer to join a dynamic entertainment and consumer products team focused on licensed publishing and board game development. This role is responsible for driving end-to-end design execution across licensed properties, from initial concept development through final production and manufacturing approval.
The ideal candidate is a highly skilled 2D designer with strong experience in licensing environments, consumer products, and entertainment-based IP. This individual will collaborate closely with internal franchise teams, licensing partners, and external manufacturers to ensure brand consistency and high-quality product execution.
Key Responsibilities
Design & Creative Execution
- Design consumer products across publishing and board game categories from concept to final production
- Develop strong 2D graphic design solutions including layout, typography, storytelling, and image composition
- Create design presentations, product mockups, and assets for internal and external review
- Provide design revisions, overlays, and updates based on brand and licensing guidelines
- Support innovation by developing new product concepts aligned with franchise strategy
Licensing & Product Development
- Work within licensed brand guidelines to ensure creative and commercial alignment
- Participate in product approval processes using internal systems (e.g., Mediabox or similar tools)
- Collaborate with licensees and manufacturers to ensure design feasibility and production readiness
- Lead kick-off and review meetings with external partners and internal stakeholders
- Maintain brand integrity across all product touchpoints
Collaboration & Communication
- Partner with cross-functional teams including Category, Franchise, Retail, and Licensing
- Present design concepts with confidence and clearly articulate design rationale
- Document meeting notes and provide actionable follow-ups
- Advocate for design solutions while balancing creative vision and business needs
- Build strong working relationships across internal and external partners
Strategy & Market Awareness
- Stay informed on publishing, board game, and consumer product market trends
- Identify whitespace opportunities for new product development
- Understand retail pricing structures and product line architecture
- Contribute insights into global entertainment and licensing trends
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in graphic design, product design, or licensing/consumer products
- Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or related field
- Strong portfolio demonstrating 2D design work (publishing and/or board games preferred)
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator required; InDesign a plus)
- Experience working in licensed entertainment or consumer products environments
- Strong understanding of product development and manufacturing processes
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills
Preferred Skills
- Experience with licensed IP approvals and brand compliance workflows
- Familiarity with entertainment industry workflows and franchise-based development
- Ability to create illustrations or draw-overs (a plus)
- Experience working with global or cross-functional teams