Contract

Graphic Designer 2

Merchandise Development: Original Merchandise

Posted on 9/9/2026

The Pokémon Company

The Pokémon Company

51-200 employees

Licenses IP for games, cards, media

Compensation Overview

$86.2k - $150.8k/yr

Bellevue, WA, USA

Hybrid

Hybrid work environment.

Category
Art, Graphics & Animation (1)
Required Skills
Adobe Creative Suite
Marketing
Graphic Design
Product Design

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Requirements
  • Three to five years of experience in graphic design for soft and/or hard goods, including consumer products such as apparel, decor, or packaging.
  • Working knowledge of product design constraints within a focused category and the ability to collaborate with Production and Design partners to resolve unknowns.
  • Ability to navigate production templates, processes, and limitations with increasing independence.
  • Conceptual and practical knowledge of print technology for physical goods, including screen print, embroidery, heat setting, and sublimation.
  • Experience preparing production-ready files and working within manufacturing constraints and templates.
  • Proficiency creating design work aligned to brand and licensing requirements.
  • Basic illustration and strong vector skills.
  • Expert proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite on macOS, plus proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and similar design tools.
  • Basic knowledge of marketing, merchandising, and licensing.
  • Ability to present designs to stakeholders and proactively communicate risks and schedule impacts.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional environment and independently with strong initiative, organization, and attention to detail.
Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with the Merchandise Development team and cross-functional partners to understand project assignments, product briefs, audiences, and intended messages.
  • Create original visual media, including illustrations, graphics, patterns, and layouts, that support unified product stories.
  • Contribute to product line briefs, concept suggestions, and ideation for seasonal and capsule collections.
  • Manage two to four concurrent product design projects while maintaining alignment with briefs, timelines, and stakeholder expectations.
  • Create graphic concepts for physical goods featuring Pokémon and varied product types by leveraging existing assets and creating new supporting graphics within product and production limitations.
  • Adapt artwork to manufacturing processes such as screen printing, embroidery, heat transfer or heat setting, appliqué, sublimation, embossing or debossing, specialty inks, woven or printed labels, and molded elements.
  • Translate two-dimensional artwork into production-ready files that maintain integrity across substrates, textures, sizes, and flat or three-dimensional forms.
  • Uphold brand standards and licensing requirements and ensure character accuracy and consistency across merchandise and packaging.
  • Select appropriate graphics, clip art, and stock photography, enhancing them with custom drawings and vector illustrations as needed.
  • Select fonts and produce sample layouts and placements for approval.
  • Route all stages of art concepts for cross-department sign-offs to ensure compliance with brand standards, briefs, and production expectations.
  • Prepare drafts and prototypes for review and revise them based on collaborative feedback to reach final approval.
  • Support Production Design and deliver files on schedule.
  • Partner with development and vendor teams to review strike-offs, proofs, and samples and provide feedback on quality and fidelity.
  • Identify and escalate risks to timelines, deliverables, or approvals to the Manager and Project Manager.
  • Research and create diversified, brand-appropriate graphics and illustrations.
  • Research seasonal trends and identify new colors, fabrics, and silhouettes for conceptual development and product storytelling.
  • Work from pre-existing style guides when needed and solve product design and production constraints.
  • Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders to drive efficient processes and transparent communication.
  • Consult with the relevant manager, director, and/or team on complex or specialized projects.
  • Contribute six to twelve design catalog submissions per season to strengthen catalog breadth and future product opportunities.
  • Meet department and corporate business requirements, including work hours, conduct, and teamwork.

The Pokémon Company manages and licenses the Pokémon IP across video games, trading cards, anime, and merchandise, coordinating the franchise for partner products and services. Its offerings include core video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, animated series and films, and licensed merchandise, with Pokémon GO as a prominent freemium mobile game using augmented reality. It differs from competitors by being a consortium of Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures, which enables centralized control and consistent cross-media branding and licensing. Its goal is to grow and sustain the Pokémon brand by delivering games and media, expanding partnerships, and engaging fans worldwide through ongoing releases, events, and new ways to experience Pokémon.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Japan

Founded

1998

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • June 30, 2026's 30th Celebration TCG adds Futuristic rare and all-foil collector demand.
  • August 31, 2026's PokémonXP and World Championships deepen community engagement before holiday sales.
  • September 9, 2026's Pokémon Champions Z Mega Evolution update refreshes competitive play.

What critics are saying

  • August 2026's Ben Tsai voyeurism lawsuit ties Pokémon International to employee-safety failures.
  • The ongoing Palworld patent case risks a narrow loss that weakens Pokémon imitation defenses.
  • Pokémon Winds and Waves in 2027 must land flawlessly; a flop damages every line.

What makes The Pokémon Company unique

  • Pokémon owns a cross-media IP flywheel spanning games, TCG, animation, merchandise, and events.
  • The Pokémon Center and live championships create direct fan monetization beyond licensing.
  • Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures align control, protecting canon and release discipline.

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Benefits

100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for you

Generous paid family leave

Employer-paid life insurance

Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance

US Employees: 401k Employer Matching

UK/IRE Employees: Pension Employer Contributions

Fitness reimbursement

Commuter benefit

LinkedIn learning

Comprehensive relocation package

Hybrid work environment

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