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Freelance Packaging Designer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

This is a hands-on execution role for a designer who thrives in a fast-moving brand environment and ... Package and prepare final assets for channel distribution, ensuring correct sizing, naming ...

Head of Video

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$130K/yr

Collaborate with researchers, editors, designers, and digital staff to translate complex research ... Manage relationships with freelancers and outside production vendors as needed Measurement & Impact

Freelance Packaging Designer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$15

$49

$137

How much do freelance packaging designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance packaging designer in Reston, VA is $49.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.24 and $64.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Packaging Designer vs Packaging Designer?

AspectFreelance Packaging DesignerPackaging Designer
Work EnvironmentIndependent, remote or client-site projectsIn-house or agency setting
CredentialsPortfolio, design skills, possibly certificationsPortfolio, design skills, possibly certifications
EmployerSelf-employed or contractedCompany or agency
Industry UsageFreelance market, multiple clientsSingle employer or firm

The main difference is that a Freelance Packaging Designer works independently with multiple clients, often remotely, while a Packaging Designer is typically employed full-time by a company or agency. Both roles require similar skills and credentials, but their work settings and employment structures differ.

What does a freelance packaging designer do?

A freelance packaging designer creates visual and structural designs for product packaging on a contract basis. Their work involves understanding a brand's identity, selecting appropriate materials, and designing graphics that attract customers and comply with industry regulations. They often collaborate with clients to develop packaging solutions that are both functional and visually appealing. Freelance designers manage their own schedules, client communications, and project timelines.

What does a freelance packaging designer do?

As a freelance packaging designer, you do package design on an independent or contract basis. Your responsibilities focus on developing the design specifications that meet industry standards while staying cost-effective. You manufacture a brand that appeals to customers and has brand recognition. Your duties may also include developing package assembly instructions. A freelance packaging designer often communicates directly with the client or with various departments such as marketing, production engineering, or food packing.

What are some common challenges freelance packaging designers face when working with clients remotely?

Freelance packaging designers often encounter challenges such as interpreting client visions without in-person meetings, navigating feedback cycles across different time zones, and ensuring print-ready files meet various manufacturers' specifications. Clear communication, detailed briefs, and using collaborative tools can help address these issues. Additionally, freelancers may need to educate clients about packaging constraints and best practices to ensure the final product aligns with both creative and practical requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance packaging designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Packaging Designer, you need a strong background in graphic design, branding, and structural packaging concepts, often supported by a degree in design or related fields. Proficiency with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and knowledge of print production processes are essential. Creativity, effective communication, time management, and the ability to interpret client briefs make a designer stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for producing visually appealing, functional packaging that meets client needs and market standards.
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Packaging Designer jobs in Reston, VA? For Freelance Packaging Designer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Packaging Designer jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Packaging Designer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Freelance Packaging Designer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Freelance Packaging Designer job openings:
Infographic showing various Freelance Packaging Designer job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,235 per year, or $49.6 per hour.

Coordinator, Creative & Design

[solidcore]

Arlington, VA • On-site

$59K - $61K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

We are looking for a Coordinator, Creative & Design to join the [solidcore] Content team. This is a hands-on execution role for a designer who thrives in a fast-moving brand environment and takes ownership of both the work and the process behind it. You will work directly under the Manager, Creative & Design and will be responsible for producing high-quality creative assets, supporting the content planning process, and owning the trafficking and organization of creative work from intake through delivery.
This role sits within the Content team, which reflects how we think about design at [solidcore]: creative exists to fuel content, and this role ensures that fuel is always ready, on-brand, and on time.
Key Responsibilities:
Creative Execution
  • Support in producing high-quality design assets across all formats: including social, email, digital ads, print in-studio signage, activation materials, and presentation decks
  • Execute design work under the creative direction of the Manager and Director of Content, maintaining brand consistency and quality across all materials
  • Manage a high volume of design requests from cross-functional teams with accuracy and speed, following established intake and briefing processes
  • Support production of short-form video and animated content for social and media under the Manager's direction

Content Process & Planning
  • Support the building and planning of [solidcore]'s creative content matrices- supporting the Manager and Director of Content in briefing, execution and delivering on time across all channels
  • Assist in receiving briefs for all creative/content needs and requests, gathering the necessary information from cross-functional partners before routing work into production
  • Package and prepare final assets for channel distribution, ensuring correct sizing, naming conventions, and format requirements are met for each platform
  • Contribute to building and improving content production processes as the team and creative output scales

Asset Management & Trafficking
  • Own the trafficking of all creative requests - receiving briefs, routing to the correct workstream/execution, tracking through production and delivery
  • Maintain and organize the design asset library: file naming conventions, version control, folder structure, and archiving of completed projects
  • Build, update, and organize the Canva/Photoshop template library for use by field teams and non-designers across the studio network
  • Track asset delivery across all active campaigns - flagging delays, missing handoffs, or bottlenecks proactively to the Manager
  • Serve as the go-to point of contact for cross-functional teams on asset status, delivery timelines, and file access

Brand & Quality Stewardship
  • Uphold [solidcore] brand guidelines rigorously - applying the visual identity system with precision across typography, color, layout, and imagery
  • Flag inconsistencies or brand questions to the Manager before publishing or delivering final assets
  • Contribute to the maintenance and organization of shared design files and systems

Qualifications:
Required
  • 1-3 years of graphic design experience: in-house brand team, agency, or comparable freelance portfolio strongly preferred
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign (Premiere Pro and After Effects a strong plus)
  • Working knowledge of Figma for design production and collaboration
  • Solid grasp of typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy
  • Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of work across simultaneous projects and deadlines without sacrificing quality
  • Experience with or strong aptitude for asset trafficking - routing, tracking, and organizing creative work through a production pipeline
  • Strong attention to detail and clear communication - you ask smart questions when a brief is unclear and flag issues before they become problems
  • Self-starter with a collaborative attitude and genuine interest in growing within a creative and content team

Preferred
  • BA or BFA or equivalent in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or related field
  • Familiarity with project management or trafficking tools (Asana, Monday.com, Airtable, or similar)
  • Motion design or video editing experience (After Effects, Premiere Pro)
  • Experience at a consumer brand, retail, fitness, or lifestyle company
  • Portfolio that demonstrates both campaign-level design and day-to-day production work

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Competitive salary $59,006-$61,735, based on experience
  • Bonus eligibility based on performance
  • Monthly cell phone stipend
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid parental leave and parental pay benefits
  • Free telehealth services
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Pre-tax commuter benefits
  • Flexible PTO
  • Free drop-in classes at [solidcore]
  • And more!

[solidcore] is a national boutique fitness company with 100+ studios across the country. Our signature workout is 50 minutes of low-impact, high-intensity strength training: the lights are low and the music is loud. The coach guides the class through a series of slow & controlled movements that are sequenced to work muscles to failure. This class is accessible for all fitness levels and can be amplified or modified to accommodate individual goals. Class is as intense as our reviews suggest, but our instructors go above and beyond to provide a welcoming, supportive, empowering, and challenging experience for all. Please visit our website here to read more about our mission.
[solidcore] is firmly committed to social justice and promoting a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. You can click here to find out more about the actions we are taking to promote a more diverse and inclusive space for both our clients and our internal team.
[solidcore] is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. [solidcore] makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.