Senior Graphic Designer

Senior Designer – Licensed Consumer Products (Publishing & Board Games)Location: Universal City, CA Employment Type: Contract (40 hours per week)Duration through February 2027Rate: $30-32/hourPosition OverviewWe 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 ResponsibilitiesDesign & Creative ExecutionDesign consumer products across publishing and board game categories from concept to final productionDevelop strong 2D graphic design solutions including layout, typography, storytelling, and image compositionCreate design presentations, product mockups, and assets for internal and external reviewProvide design revisions, overlays, and updates based on brand and licensing guidelinesSupport innovation by developing new product concepts aligned with franchise strategyLicensing & Product DevelopmentWork within licensed brand guidelines to ensure creative and commercial alignmentParticipate in product approval processes using internal systems (e.g., Mediabox or similar tools)Collaborate with licensees and manufacturers to ensure design feasibility and production readinessLead kick-off and review meetings with external partners and internal stakeholdersMaintain brand integrity across all product touchpointsCollaboration & CommunicationPartner with cross-functional teams including Category, Franchise, Retail, and LicensingPresent design concepts with confidence and clearly articulate design rationaleDocument meeting notes and provide actionable follow-upsAdvocate for design solutions while balancing creative vision and business needsBuild strong working relationships across internal and external partnersStrategy & Market AwarenessStay informed on publishing, board game, and consumer product market trendsIdentify whitespace opportunities for new product developmentUnderstand retail pricing structures and product line architectureContribute insights into global entertainment and licensing trendsRequired Qualifications5+ years of experience in graphic design, product design, or licensing/consumer productsBachelor's degree in Graphic Design or related fieldStrong 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 environmentsStrong understanding of product development and manufacturing processesAbility to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environmentExcellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skillsPreferred SkillsExperience with licensed IP approvals and brand compliance workflowsFamiliarity with entertainment industry workflows and franchise-based developmentAbility to create illustrations or draw-overs (a plus)Experience working with global or cross-functional teams