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Color Designer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Footwear Color Designer

Beaverton, OR Β· On-site

$42 - $46.67/hr

We are seeking a visionary designer for this pivotal Footwear Color Designer opportunity. You will be instrumental in shaping seasonal footwear concepts and developing original color stories rooted ...

Apparel Color Designer

Beaverton, OR Β· On-site

$36.60 - $40.67/hr

Translate inspiration into cohesive, elevated color concepts that support seasonal and product direction. * Partner closely with apparel designers, product designers, and creative teams throughout ...

Apparel Color Designer

Beaverton, OR Β· On-site

$42 - $46.67/hr

Present color concepts and confidently articulate the thinking behind your work. * Collaborate with designers and cross-functional partners in a fast-paced, highly dynamic environment. * Stay closely ...

ABOUT THE POSITION As our Senior Color Designer, you will be an influential member of the Apparel Color Design team who forecast, create and deliver the seasonal color palette. A passion for color ...

... designs that define the next generation of product. What You'll Do * Develop seasonal color palettes and narratives for apparel collections. * Translate consumer insights and cultural trends into ...

Create and execute color designs for footwear products, including seasonal color stories, palettes, and product-specific color solutions. * Partner with Design, Product Management, Development, and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Color Designer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$15

$25

$46

How much do color designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for color designer in Portland, OR is $25.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.91 and $25.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a color designer do?

A Color Designer is responsible for selecting and applying colors to characters, props, and environments in animation or design projects. They work closely with art directors and production designers to ensure consistency and mood alignment. Their role involves creating color scripts, palettes, and guides to maintain a cohesive visual style.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a color designer?

To thrive as a Color Designer, you need a strong sense of color theory, design fundamentals, and an eye for visual harmony, often supported by a background in graphic design, art, or related fields. Familiarity with digital design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and color management systems is typically required, and certifications in color science can be advantageous. Strong communication, creativity, and attention to detail are important soft skills that help Color Designers work effectively with teams and clients. These skills ensure that color choices consistently align with brand, product, or project goals, creating visually compelling and effective results.

What are some common challenges faced by color designers in their role?

Color Designers often encounter challenges such as maintaining color consistency across different media and substrates, staying updated with evolving trends, and effectively communicating their color choices to clients or collaborators who may not have a design background. They may also need to balance creative vision with practical limitations, such as material restrictions or production processes. Navigating tight deadlines while ensuring high-quality results can also be demanding. However, these challenges foster a dynamic work environment and encourage growth in both technical and creative problem-solving skills.

Infographic showing various Color Designer job openings in Portland, OR as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $52,320 per year, or $25.2 per hour.

Footwear Color Designer 3

Beaverton, OR β€’ On-site

Kforce Technology Staffing
IT ServicesΒ β€’Β 1 - 5K employees

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Kforce has a client located in Beaverton, OR who is looking for a Footwear - Color Designer 3.
About the Role:
We are looking for an experienced Color Designer to help create compelling color stories and product executions across footwear. This role partners closely with Design, Product Management, Development, and Materials teams to deliver market-right color solutions that elevate the brand.
Key Responsibilities:
Product Color Design:
* Create and execute color designs for footwear products
* Develop seasonal color stories, palettes, and product-specific color solutions
* Partner with Design, Product Marketing, Development, and Materials teams throughout the product creation process
* Review samples and communicate revisions to ensure color accuracy and execution
* Finalize color specifications and support products through commercialization
Creative & Trend Research:
* Research color, consumer, cultural, fashion, and lifestyle trends
* Translate insights into innovative color solutions for future products
* Contribute to seasonal color direction, merchandising strategies, and product journeys
Product Execution:
* Manage color timelines and deliverables
* Create and maintain line art, color specifications, CAD file organization and related product documentation
* Coordinate materials and color application across product lines
* Ensure all milestones and deadlines are met
Team Contribution:
* Share expertise and best practices with teammates
* Support and mentor junior designers when needed
* Contribute to a collaborative and creative team environment
REQUIREMENTS:
* Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
* 5+ years of experience in Color design for footwear
* Strong understanding of color theory, color application, and storytelling
* Experience working within a product creation process from concept through commercialization
* Strong collaboration and communication skills
* Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Illustrator and Photoshop)
* Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
* Portfolio: Color story telling, moodboards, context for why colors were chosen
* Knowledge of Sneaker culture and consumer trends, has used consumer insight data to make decisions
* Experience with sportswear, lifestyle, or streetwear narratives
Nice to have skills:
* Has managed color product journeys, can look at seasonal lines and create original color stories
* Managing communications between cross-functional teams
The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.
Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.
This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.
Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
By clicking ?Apply Today? you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages or emails from Kforce and its affiliates, and service providers. Note that if you choose to communicate with Kforce via text messaging the frequency may vary, and message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You will always have the right to cease communicating via text by using key words such as STOP.

Kforce logo

About Kforce

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Kforce is a professional staffing services firm that is located in Tampa, Florida, US. Operational since 1962, it specializes in flexible and direct hire staffing in Technology and Finance & Accounting, engaging over 23,000 highly skilled professionals annually with more than 4,000 customers. Kforce operates within various industry sectors such as healthcare, financial services, communications, and government. Their mission is to have a meaningful impact on all the lives they serve, with a focus on integrity, respect, and trust.

Industry

It services and finance and insurance

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Tampa, FL, US