At a Glance
- Tasks: Create stunning graphics for licensed sports apparel and collaborate with a dynamic design team.
- Company: Join Fanatics Commerce, the global leader in licensed sports merchandise.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the sports world while honing your graphic design skills.
- Qualifications: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and a passion for sports design.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Fanatics Commerce is the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, operating a vertically integrated platform that designs, manufactures, and delivers officially licensed apparel, jerseys, headwear, and collectibles for major leagues, teams, and events worldwide. With more than 900 e-commerce sites and a global omnichannel presence across digital, in-venue, and retail, Fanatics Commerce reaches fans in over 180 countries and powers official fan experiences for many of the world's most iconic sports properties.
At Fanatics, we bring our BOLD Leadership Principles to life every day - building championship teams, obsessing over fans, acting with entrepreneurial speed, and delivering with a determined and relentless mindset. As we continue to scale our global platform, the Graphic Designer I will play a critical role in delivering precision-replicated licensed graphics across apparel, jersey, and headwear product lines for Fanatics' sports licensed business groups.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Graphic Designer I is responsible for replicating template-based designs with high attention to detail, ensuring all brand and licensing guidelines are met across apparel, jersey, and headwear product lines for Fanatics' sports licensed business groups. Working closely with cross-functional partners including Product Design, Merchandising, Production Art, and Operations, this role supports the rollout of licensed partner designs for both domestic and international markets while building deep technical knowledge of graphic setups, colour matching, typography, and production processes. The Graphic Designer I delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights.
HOW WILL YOU DRIVE IMPACT
- Team & Leadership Impact (Build Championship Teams)
- Collaborate closely with Senior Designers and Leads on the build-out of licensing sheets and partner submissions, supporting the broader design team's goals with a team-first mindset.
- Partner with cross-functional teams — including Merchandising, Product Development, Production Art, the Imaging Team, and Operations — to ensure seamless handoffs and aligned execution across the product lifecycle.
- Assist Designers with art setup of vendor and supplier files across AI, PDF, PSD, and PNG formats, contributing dependable support that enables the wider team to deliver at scale.
- Fan & Customer Impact (Obsessed with Fans)
- Replicate licensed partner graphics with precision to ensure fans receive officially licensed apparel that reflects the authentic look and feel of their favourite teams and leagues.
- Maintain the aesthetic integrity of fonts, detailed graphics, and colour matching across multiple product categories to uphold brand standards for licensed sports partners.
- Support the creation of partner and buyer presentation overviews that clearly communicate design intent and reinforce Fanatics' position as the trusted partner for sports merchandise.
- Adapt graphics from the US market for international audiences, ensuring product quality and licensing accuracy are preserved across global markets.
- Innovation & Problem Solving (Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit)
- Build technical graphics that support innovative machinery and evolving production processes, detailing specific template attributes necessary for accurate replication.
- Develop intermediate knowledge of graphic setups, application types, typography, colour matching, and decoration processes to continuously improve output quality and production readiness.
- Identify and accurately call out conflicting data on art files and systems — including item IDs, graphic codes, decoration types, and colours — to prevent downstream production errors.
- Assist in adapting and finalizing license submit sheets and artwork setups to streamline the partner approval process.
- Ownership & Execution (Determined & Relentless Mindset)
- Execute decoration changes involving size or technique modifications, including revision and reposting of updated vendor files, with accuracy and within established deadlines.
- Produce computer-generated and full-colour graphics output that is layer-separated and print- and buy-ready, demonstrating a full understanding of the production process from concept through delivery.
- Maintain organized records, documents, archives of images, photos, and prior work products to support operational continuity and file retrieval.
- Work on a variety of assignments on an as-needed basis, managing workload in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with consistent quality.
- AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY
- Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes.
- Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance.
- Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working.
- Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE YOU BRING
Required Qualifications:
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with particular strength in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for graphic replication, layer separation, and production-ready file preparation.
- Demonstrated experience in graphic and font replication, including the ability to cross-reference, match, and replicate typefaces and detailed graphics to maintain licensed brand aesthetics.
- Familiarity with the Pantone Matching System and colour matching across multiple product categories, including apparel, jerseys, and headwear.
- Some apparel embellishment knowledge, with an understanding of decoration types, application processes, and how design translates to physical product.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify conflicting data across art files and systems, including item IDs, decoration types, and color specifications.
- Functional computer skills and working knowledge of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while managing multiple assignments and collaborating effectively across cross-functional teams.
Education:
- Associate's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience totaling 3 to 5 years in apparel, licensing, or sports-related graphic design.
- A strong professional portfolio showcasing a wide range of graphic design skills and abilities is required.
WORK LOCATION
Hybrid: The primary place of performance of this role is the Company's office located in Manchester, subject to the Company's current hybrid work policy. This role currently requires in-office presence 3 days per week.
At Fanatics, we operate with a BOLD mindset - We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.
Graphic Designer Level 1 in Manchester employer: Fanatics Commerce
Fanatics is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets passion for sports. With a commitment to employee growth and development, we provide ample opportunities for career advancement within our global digital sports platform. Our collaborative culture fosters creativity and teamwork, making it an exciting place to contribute to the future of collectibles and engage with millions of sports fans worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graphic Designer Level 1 in Manchester
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
✨Get Involved in Design Meetups
Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like Fanatics Commerce.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Fanatics Commerce, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in landing your dream design job! Share your work on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, and engage with accounts from your desired companies—this could put you on their radar before they start hiring.
We think you need these skills to ace Graphic Designer Level 1 in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work Fanatics Commerce does, so they can see you in action.
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at Fanatics Commerce.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Fanatics Commerce. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!
Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at Fanatics Commerce.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fanatics Commerce
✨Get Your Portfolio Ready
Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to Fanatics Commerce. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
