Graphic Art/Design Illustrator Job at FOCO in Piscataway

About FOCO

Team Beans/Forever Collectibles (FOCO) is a global leader in officially licensed sports and entertainment merchandise. FOCO proudly holds licenses across all major professional sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and NCAA, along with a growing portfolio of entertainment and character-based brands.

Our diverse product portfolio spans apparel, accessories, footwear, home goods, collectibles, and novelty items—designed and manufactured through a robust global supply chain. We bring fans closer to the teams, players, and moments they love through innovative, trend-driven design.

FOCO is seeking a Graphic Designer II / III – Graphic Apparel to create original, commercially strong graphics for licensed apparel programs, with a focus on graphic T-shirts and fan-driven apparel.

This role is ideal for a designer with strong apparel graphics experience who can independently develop concepts, execute production-ready artwork, and work within league, team, and brand guidelines. Depending on experience, this position may be leveled as Graphic Designer II or Graphic Designer III.

Apparel Graphic Design
Create original graphics for licensed sports and entertainment apparel, with a focus on graphic T-shirts
Develop trend-forward, fan-focused artwork aligned with league, team, and brand guidelines
Support seasonal collections, special programs, hot market opportunities, and retail initiatives
Balance creativity with commercial needs, production feasibility, and speed to market

Production & Technical Design
Build master artwork files and production-ready design packages
Include accurate sizing, callouts, BOM details, print specifications, branding, and copyright requirements
Prepare files for screen print, heat transfer, embroidery, appliqué, and other apparel decoration methods
Research trends across sports, fashion, streetwear, licensed apparel, pop culture, music, entertainment, and retail
Translate market insights into apparel graphics that resonate with fans and consumers
Contribute fresh ideas for seasonal assortments, capsule collections, and special initiatives

Support presentation decks, collection boards, line reviews, and approval materials
Communicate design decisions clearly and professionally
Manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment

✅ Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Apparel Design, or related field, or equivalent professional experience
~3–6+ years of experience in graphic design, apparel graphics, licensed apparel, or consumer products
~ Strong portfolio showcasing apparel graphics, graphic tees, typography, and production-ready design work
~ Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
~ Strong understanding of typography, color, composition, layout, and visual storytelling
~ Experience creating production-ready artwork and technical art packages
~ Knowledge of apparel decoration techniques including screen print, heat transfer, embroidery, appliqué, and related methods
~ Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects independently

Experience with entertainment or character-based brands
Familiarity with project management tools, PLM systems, or licensor approval platforms
Passion for sports, fan culture, apparel, and graphic design

Candidates must provide a portfolio URL or PDF showcasing relevant work, including apparel graphics, graphic tees, typography, licensed product design, and production-ready artwork.

Applications submitted without a portfolio will not be reviewed.

Apparel graphic design
Licensed product design
Typography and visual storytelling
Production art and technical execution
Independent project ownership

Design officially licensed products for the biggest sports leagues in the world
Join a fast-growing, creative, and collaborative environment
Gain exposure across design, licensing, merchandising, product development, and production
If you’re passionate about sports, apparel graphics, and creating products fans love, we’d love to see your work.