Color Designer

About the role

A leading global sportswear brand is seeking a Color Designer to support apparel graphics and color development within a highly creative design organization. This role focuses on bringing graphics to life through color application, storytelling, and visual exploration, partnering closely with Apparel Color Design teams to create compelling product experiences.

Duration: Through March 2027
Hours: 40 hours per week
Location/Onsite Requirements: Beaverton, OR; 4 days onsite per week

Responsibilities

• Color & Graphic Design: Apply color to apparel graphics and visual design concepts; Create compelling color expressions that align with seasonal narratives and product direction; Explore a wide range of graphic applications, from logo-based solutions to highly creative visual executions; Develop colorways that enhance product storytelling and consumer appeal
• Creative Development: Collaborate with Apparel Color Design teams to bring concepts to life; Support graphic development through color exploration and refinement; Create visual studies, presentations, and storytelling materials that communicate design intent; Contribute to creative reviews and design discussions
• Asset Development & Execution: Work with existing graphic artwork, files, and design assets; Edit, refine, and optimize graphics for implementation; Apply established color palettes while also exploring new opportunities for visual expression; Ensure accuracy, consistency, and quality across deliverables
• Storytelling & Presentation: Present design rationale, process, and creative thinking clearly; Document design exploration and decision-making processes; Develop presentation materials that communicate concepts effectively; Help build visual narratives around product and graphic design work

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in color graphics, graphic design, apparel graphics, industrial design, or related creative fields
• Strong color sensibility and demonstrated ability to apply color strategically across graphic concepts and product experiences
• Portfolio showcasing diverse graphic work, color exploration, storytelling, and creative process documentation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Design or equivalent professional experience
• Experience working across apparel, lifestyle, fashion, footwear, consumer products, industrial design, or digital design environments
• Strong understanding of color theory, graphic composition, and visual storytelling
• Experience editing and manipulating existing graphic assets and artwork
• Ability to work from pre-developed color palettes and evolve color systems
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to present design concepts, process, and rationale effectively
• Previous sportswear, apparel, or Nike industry experience preferred
• Strong visual designer with exceptional color sensitivity
• Passionate about fashion, lifestyle, sport, and graphic storytelling
• Demonstrates elevated taste level and strong modern design aesthetic
• Comfortable working within highly creative design environments
• Strong portfolio that shows process, storytelling, and execution
• Quick thinker who can adapt to evolving project needs
• Detail-oriented problem solver with strong collaboration skills

Skills

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Miro
• Vizcom
• AI-powered creative tools
• Presentation software for creative reviews and storytelling

Benefits

Creative Circle's Freelance Employee benefits package includes eligibility for Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) medical plan, dental/vision/term life package, discount prescription program, critical illness, accident, tele-behavioral health, and 401(k) plan. Sick leave is provided to Candidates whose assignment work location is in a state or city subject to sick leave laws. A Minimum Value (MV) PPO medical plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and paid holiday eligibility are based on length and dates of service.