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The Color Palette Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Color Specialist

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$67K - $99K/yr

Primary responsibilities include color palette development and management of the lab dip process, ensuring accuracy and consistency across divisions and materials. S/he assists the design and ...

Color Specialist

Carlsbad, CA · Hybrid

$67K - $99K/yr

Primary responsibilities include color palette development and management of the lab dip process, ensuring accuracy and consistency across divisions and materials. S/he assists the design and ...

Color Specialist

Carlsbad, CA · Hybrid

$67K - $99K/yr

Primary responsibilities include color palette development and management of the lab dip process, ensuring accuracy and consistency across divisions and materials. S/he assists the design and ...

Color Design Associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$20.50 - $32/hr

Your day-to-day: * Assist the Design Managers in seasonal color palette creation, develop patterns, and execute through to bulk fabrications * Build physical and digital color and pattern palettes ...

Color Design Associate

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$20.50 - $32/hr

Your day-to-day: * Assist the Design Managers in seasonal color palette creation, develop patterns, and execute through to bulk fabrications * Build physical and digital color and pattern palettes ...

Partner closely with the color development team to support development, tools, and palette application. Leadership * Manage, mentor, and support color designers, fostering growth, creativity, and ...

Partner closely with the color development team to support development, tools, and palette application. Leadership * Manage, mentor, and support color designers, fostering growth, creativity, and ...

Director of Color

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$173K - $224K/yr

Partner closely with the color development team to support development, tools, and palette application. Leadership * Manage, mentor, and support color designers, fostering growth, creativity, and ...

You will drive the design of our menswear collections, overseeing everything from trend research and color palette selection to providing fit comments and approving final samples. This role requires ...

... color palette. This sister restaurant to the famous St. Elmo Steak House, shares a few classic dishes, while also offering more menu variety. Open for lunch and dinner daily.

The Concept Intern is responsible for supporting Concept Design and Team in the building of ... Assist in Pulling Color palette Qualifications Currently enrolled in a Design program at a ...

The Concept Intern is responsible for supporting Concept Design and Team in the building of ... Color palette Qualifications • Currently enrolled in a Design program at a University level • ...

... color palette. This sister restaurant to the famous St. Elmo Steak House, shares a few classic dishes, while also offering more menu variety. Open for lunch and dinner daily.

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The Color Palette information

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$32K

$50K

$71K

How much do the color palette jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for the color palette in the United States is $50,010.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,500.00 and $61,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Colorist, you need a strong understanding of color theory, visual storytelling, and expertise in image or film post-production, often supported by relevant degrees or training. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Baselight, along with color calibration tools, is typically required. Strong attention to detail, creativity, and effective communication with directors and editors help you stand out in this position. These skills ensure visual consistency, enhance storytelling, and meet the creative vision essential for successful film, television, or digital media projects.

What is a color palette?

A color palette is a collection of colors selected for use in a specific design, project, or brand identity. It helps ensure visual consistency and harmony by providing a defined set of hues, tints, and shades that work well together. Color palettes are commonly used in graphic design, web design, fashion, interior decorating, and other creative fields. The choice of colors in a palette can influence mood, communicate messages, and enhance the overall aesthetic of a project.

What are the main challenges faced by professionals working in a color palette design role, and how can they overcome them?

One of the main challenges in a color palette design role is ensuring color consistency and accessibility across different mediums and devices. Designers must balance creativity with practical considerations like brand guidelines and readability for diverse audiences, including those with color vision deficiencies. Collaborating closely with marketing, product, and development teams is essential to align color choices with overall project goals. Staying updated on color trends and digital accessibility standards helps professionals create effective and inclusive palettes.

What jobs work with color?

Jobs that work with color include graphic designers, interior designers, fashion designers, painters, and photographers. These roles require a strong understanding of color theory, visual aesthetics, and often involve using tools like color palettes, digital software, or paint materials to create or modify visual elements.

How to work with a color palette?

Working with a color palette involves selecting a cohesive set of colors that complement each other and suit the project's purpose. Designers often use tools like Adobe Color or Coolors to create and test palettes, ensuring accessibility and visual harmony. Consistent application of the palette across design elements is essential for a unified look.

Can you make a career out of coloring?

A career related to coloring includes roles such as graphic designer, illustrator, or coloring book artist, which involve creating visual artwork using digital or traditional tools. Success in these fields often requires strong artistic skills, a portfolio, and proficiency with software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.

What is the difference between The Color Palette vs Graphic Designer?

AspectThe Color PaletteGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsKnowledge of color theory, basic design principlesDegree in graphic design, visual arts, or related field; proficiency in design software
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, branding agencies, marketing departmentsAdvertising agencies, in-house corporate teams, freelance projects
Industry UsageUsed by designers to select and communicate color schemesCreates visual content, including branding, advertisements, and digital media

The Color Palette focuses on selecting and combining colors for visual projects, while a Graphic Designer creates comprehensive visual content, including layouts, logos, and branding. Both roles require an understanding of design principles, but the Graphic Designer's role is broader, encompassing various visual elements beyond color selection.

What is a color test for a job?

A color test for a job is an assessment used to evaluate a candidate's ability to distinguish and interpret colors accurately, often relevant for roles in design, quality control, or safety. These tests typically involve identifying or matching colors and may be part of a broader skills evaluation or certification process.
Infographic showing various The Color Palette job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% As Needed, 36% Part Time, 7% Temporary, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 57% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 41% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,010 per year, or $24 per hour.
Color Specialist

$67K - $99K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Columbia Sportswear rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 90 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 102 rated fashion retailers


Job description

*This is a hybrid role based out of our HQ in Carlsbad, CA. In-office expectation is 4 days a week*.
HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
With a deep understanding of prAna's brand, the Color Specialist supports our design team in the development of seasonal color. Primary responsibilities include color palette development and management of the lab dip process, ensuring accuracy and consistency across divisions and materials. S/he assists the design and merchandising team in preparation of color details for presentations. The position fields and responds to inquiries from cross-functional teams and our vendor base on any color-related issues and assists with all other color related projects and functions as requested.
HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
  • Participate in research phase of color direction and trends.
  • Schedule and coordinate meetings with color forecasting and trend service providers.
  • Coordinate development, preparation and issuing of seasonal color cards, both digital and physical, upload digital seasonal palettes for design team.
  • Coordinate seasonal selection of colors to be lab dipped for all fabrications via meetings with Design Director, Merchants, and Designers with management approval.
  • Evaluate, comment, and approve all seasonal lab dip submissions to ensure consistency and accuracy across multiple fabric substrates.
  • Communicate all color comments via email to mills and vendors on a timely basis.
  • Manage and track lab dip submits for all categories, maintain lab dip log, seasonal color reference book, filing, etc.
  • Maintain organized records and file lab dips and bulk submits for easy reference .
  • Maintain light box.
  • Evaluate, comment and approve bulk production shade bands and individual dye lots for accuracy in a timely manner.
  • Identify and elevate issues to ensure timely resolution.
  • Meet all Product Creation calendar deadlines.
  • Support materials team with seasonal booking of greige, test requests and materials development projects.
  • Assist the Design, Merch and Product Development team with additional projects as requested

YOU ARE
  • Able to establishes and maintain schedules by prioritizing heavy workloads and multiple seasons overlapping
  • A problem-solving solver, able to work on multiple projects at a time.
  • Able to maintain a professional demeanor and openness to new ideas and change

YOU HAVE
  • Associate degree in apparel design or equivalent relevant experience is required.
  • 5+ years of relevant apparel design, development, or color management experience
  • Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator
  • Working knowledge of programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook & Adobe Photoshop
  • Strong eye for color is a must
  • Knowledge of color theory, excellent color sense and knowledge of color models RGB, CMYK and Pantone matching systems
  • Understanding of various fabric qualities and substrates
  • Color test (Munsell) results
  • Spectrophotometer experience helpful
  • PORTFOLIO LINK OR ATTACHMENT INCLUDED IN APPLICATION RECOMMENDED

#LI-JC1
#prAna
#hybrid
This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.
Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter.
Hiring Range: $67,750 - $99,737.00
*Pay decisions are determined by multiple factors, including what the market is paying, a candidate's capabilities and skills, years of experience ,and internal equity
At Columbia Sportswear Company, we're proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family's financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.
If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to AskHR@columbia.com with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.

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About Columbia Sportswear

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Columbia Sportswear Company and our portfolio of brands, including Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna, know a thing or two about adventures. After all, we've been on one since 1938, working to perfect the art of enjoying the outdoors. Behind everything we make is an employee who's found that the greatest adventure starts with joining a company that strives to do the right thing.

Industry

Apparel and accessories stores

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Portland, OR, US

Year founded

1938

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