Freelance Creative Designer - Merchandise & Product Concepts
Location: Remote / Freelance
Employment Type: Freelance / Project-Based
Company: BDA
BDA is looking to connect with talented freelance creative designers who can jump in and support our team when rush projects, overflow work, or specialized creative needs come up.
This is not a full-time or consistently scheduled role. Instead, we are building a network of trusted freelance partners who are open to taking on project-based work here and there, depending on client needs, timing, and availability. Some projects may come with a defined timeline, while others may move quickly or evolve as the work develops.
This could be a great fit for someone who enjoys variety, moves quickly, and is comfortable jumping into creative projects that help bring brands to life through meaningful, thoughtful, and unexpected merchandise experiences.
What You'll Help Create
In this freelance role, you may support a wide range of creative deliverables, including custom merchandise concepts, limited-time fan collectibles, product packaging, promotional activations, product presentations, and client-facing visual storytelling.
The right freelance partner understands that great merchandise is more than putting a logo on a product. It is about understanding the brand, the audience, the moment, and how a product can create excitement, connection, and memorable customer experiences.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for creative partners who are able to:
Stay aware of current trends, collectibles, retail merchandise, fan culture, and consumer product moments
Understand how to design for different audiences, brand voices, and customer experiences
Concept creative merchandise that feels fresh, intentional, and brand-right
Think big while still designing with the final product, production process, and business need in mind
Move quickly, juggle multiple creative priorities, and adapt as needs shift
Design across a variety of product categories, including apparel, hard goods, collectibles, packaging, displays, and promotional merchandise
Create visuals and presentations that help clients clearly understand and get excited about an idea
Prepare organized, production-ready files when needed
Possible Project Work
Depending on the project, freelance support may include:
Trend Research & Inspiration Boards
Researching and compiling trend boards that highlight emerging design, merchandise, collectible, and consumer trends relevant to the client, audience, and industry.
Creative Concept Development
Developing fresh, compelling creative concepts that align with a client's brand while bringing forward new ideas that can surprise, delight, and inspire purchase.
Product & Merchandise Design
Concepting and designing custom products, promotional merchandise, apparel, hard goods, collectibles, packaging, and seasonal or audience-specific product ideas. Experience with 3D files is a plus.
Product Decks & Visual Storytelling
Creating visually engaging, organized, client-ready concept decks that clearly communicate the idea, product story, design direction, and customer experience.
Production File Preparation
Preparing vendor-ready design files that meet production and decoration specifications, including file formats, color profiles, dielines, resolution, and production guidelines.
File Organization & Collaboration
Maintaining organized design files, naming conventions, folder structures, and version control so internal teams and vendor partners can collaborate efficiently.
Client Presentation Support
Presenting or helping communicate design concepts in a clear, thoughtful, and persuasive way, including explaining design decisions and incorporating feedback.
Experience That Would Be Helpful
Strong freelance partners may bring experience in one or more of the following areas:
Merchandise design, product design, graphic design, or retail creative
Apparel design, print production, packaging, promotional products, or hard goods
QSR, restaurant, entertainment, sports, lifestyle, retail, or consumer brand work
Collectibles, fan merchandise, limited-edition product drops, or promotional activations
Adobe Creative Suite and presentation design
Preparing production-ready files for vendors
3D product visualization or 3D file experience, a plus
Freelance Partnership Expectations
Because this is freelance/project-based work, we are looking for individuals who:
Are comfortable with work that is not guaranteed or consistent
Are open to being contacted when project needs arise
Can be clear about availability and turnaround times
Can jump into fast-moving work when timing aligns
Are comfortable with projects that may vary in scope, timeline, and direction
Can work independently while staying collaborative, responsive, and organized
Why BDA?
At BDA, we create merchandise experiences that help brands connect with people in memorable ways. Our work can show up in retail, restaurants, stadiums, events, promotional campaigns, employee programs, and customer moments of all kinds.
We are always looking for creative partners who understand the power of product and can help turn a brand moment into something people want to keep, wear, share, collect, or talk about.
If you are a freelance creative who loves merchandise, trends, storytelling, and bringing product ideas to life, we would love to hear from you.
Our Core Values:
- BDA is a Team and a Family
- Always Strive to Be The Best
- Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Tigger Attitude
- Work Hard, Play Hard
- Make It Happen the Best Way
- Total Client Affinity & Advocacy
Want to learn more? So much to explore
- BDA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bda_inc/
- Harper + Scott (a BDA company): https://www.harperandscott.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/harperandscott/
- swagup (a BDA company) end-to-end Merch Ecommerce site: https://www.swagup.com/
- Idea Planet (a BDA company): https://www.ideaplanetlp.com/about
- BDA Careers Page: https://www.bdainc.com/careers/
- LinkedIn - BDA page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bdainc/
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