Packaging Designer Illustrator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About the Role

Packaging Designer

At Blue Marble, we create innovative toys and experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning for kids—and kids at heart—around the world.

We're seeking a talented Packaging Designer to create engaging, consumer-focused packaging that brings our products and brands to life. Working cross-functionally with Product Development, Marketing, Industrial Design, Operations, and manufacturing partners, you'll lead packaging projects from concept through production, ensuring designs are visually compelling, brand-aligned, and production-ready.

The ideal candidate combines strong creative vision, technical expertise, and exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

What You’ll Do

Core Responsibilities:

• Lead packaging and product design projects from concept through final production, delivering visually compelling, production-ready solutions that support successful product launches.
• Conceptualize and design innovative consumer product packaging, merchandising displays, POP materials, product renderings, mock-ups, and other print and digital marketing assets.
• Develop packaging systems, sub-brands, and visual identities that strengthen brand recognition while maintaining consistency across product lines.
• Translate consumer insights, competitive research, retailer requirements, and market trends into packaging designs that drive customer engagement and purchasing decisions.
• Collaborate closely with Product Development, Marketing, Engineering, Operations, Regulatory, and other cross-functional teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Ensure packaging designs meet functional, manufacturing, regulatory, retail, and customer requirements while supporting business objectives.
• Prepare accurate, production-ready artwork, print files, and specifications for domestic and international manufacturing partners.
• Create and maintain packaging dielines, layouts, print-ready artwork, color standards, and technical production documentation.
• Review proofs, press files, production samples, and pre-production materials to ensure quality, accuracy, and brand consistency.
• Partner with printers, packaging suppliers, manufacturers, photographers, illustrators, and external vendors to resolve artwork and production challenges.
• Create high-quality product photo manipulations, lifestyle imagery, renderings, and illustrations for packaging and marketing materials.
• Art direct and edit product photography and visual assets used across packaging and promotional materials.
• Present packaging concepts, creative strategies, and design recommendations to internal stakeholders and leadership.
• Participate in product ideation sessions and contribute creative solutions for new product development and innovation initiatives.
• Maintain digital asset libraries, brand standards, templates, and packaging documentation to ensure consistency across all products.
• Identify opportunities to improve packaging effectiveness, manufacturing efficiency, sustainability, and customer experience through thoughtful design.
• Utilize emerging design technologies and AI-assisted creative tools, where appropriate, to improve workflow efficiency while maintaining high creative standards.
• Stay current on design trends, print technologies, packaging materials, consumer preferences, and competitive products.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects while balancing competing priorities and meeting aggressive product launch schedules.
• Participate in peer design reviews, provide constructive feedback, and contribute to continuous improvement within the creative team.

What You Bring

Must-Haves:

• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional packaging design, typography, branding, illustration, composition, and photo manipulation.
• Experience preparing production-ready artwork for commercial printing and packaging manufacturing.
• Thorough understanding of print production processes, color management, prepress, packaging specifications, and dielines.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams in a product development or consumer products environment.
• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience designing packaging for educational products, toys, consumer products, or retail merchandise.
• Experience working with domestic and international manufacturers and print vendors.
• Experience with product photography, rendering, or art direction.
• Familiarity with packaging sustainability initiatives and environmentally responsible materials.
• Experience designing for both retail and e-commerce product environments.
• Experience using AI-assisted creative tools and emerging design technologies.

Competencies:

• Consumer packaging design
• Brand identity development
• Typography and layout
• Advanced photo manipulation and retouching
• Illustration and visual storytelling
• Print production and commercial printing
• Packaging dielines and production specifications
• Color management and prepress
• Product photography and image editing
• Consumer insights and competitive analysis
• Creative problem solving
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Project management and organization
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.

Education & Experience

We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Packaging Design, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of professional graphic design experience, with significant experience in consumer product packaging.

Where You’ll Work

• Location: Onsite in Ashland, Oregon
• Work Style: Collaborative, hands-on, and fast-paced

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, life)
• 401(k) to help you plan for the future
• Flexible paid time off—we trust you to recharge when you need it
• Employee Assistance Program
• A creative, collaborative, and yes—playful culture
• The chance to help shape iconic and emerging toy brands
• Real opportunities to develop within a dynamic, high-growth organization.

A Few More Things

This job description isn’t meant to cover everything—you may jump into other projects as we grow and evolve.

We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Blue Marble is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that reflects a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status.

Ready to build something fun with us?

Apply today and let’s create something amazing together.