Junior Designer, Paper and Packaging

About the Role

This position sits within Indigo’s paper and packaging design function, where the focus is on creating original, high-quality graphics, artwork, and typography for private-label paper goods and packaging. The role supports the development of distinctive seasonal collections that are visually strong, commercially viable, and aligned with brand standards and target costs.

Applicants must provide a portfolio by including a link or attaching it with the resume.

Company Overview

Indigo is a physical and digital destination shaped by books, ideas, thoughtfully designed lifestyle products, and the creative people behind them. The organization is guided by a belief in the value of stories, kindness, community, environmental responsibility, and creating meaningful experiences for customers.

Guiding Principles

• Hire, inspire, promote, and retain the strongest people
• Stay focused on the customer
• Act with an entrepreneurial mindset
• Care deeply about one another, communities, and the environment
• Create genuine shared value
• Use systems thinking, data, and AI in a responsible way

What You’ll Do

You will partner with design leadership and cross-functional teams to help bring paper and packaging collections from concept through production. The role involves artwork development, technical documentation, sample review, vendor coordination, and ongoing attention to trends, quality, and customer needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Paper Designer, Paper & Packaging Design Manager, merchant teams, sourcing partners, artists, and CAD to keep production artwork moving smoothly.
• Support several seasonal collections at once, from early concept development through final production.
• Create detailed technical specifications and tech packs for vendor development.
• Develop and adapt graphics and artwork from concept to final output, including resizing and reformatting for different products and packaging formats.
• Review and manage samples to ensure they meet quality and design expectations, and present them to cross-functional partners each season.
• Track development progress and timelines during the sample stage, document changes, and send revisions and comments to vendors before final production.
• Coordinate with merchant and sourcing partners to resolve design and production challenges.
• Stay informed about new trends and apply that awareness to maintain strong design and quality standards.
• Keep the customer perspective central to design decisions and anticipate their expectations and needs.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and help solve issues rather than accepting the status quo.
• Collaborate effectively with others to develop flexible, iterative solutions.
• Share your technical knowledge and remain open to learning from more experienced team members.
• Help other teams understand the impact of their work and proactively seek their input.
• Encourage open discussion, constructive feedback, and idea-sharing.
• Represent Indigo’s values in a positive and professional way.
• Support a culture that welcomes diverse perspectives and encourages continuous learning.
• Help drive change by embracing and influencing it across the team and organization.

Performance Expectations

• Collections should be delivered on schedule, within budget, and within scope.
• Cross-functional partners should be satisfied with the work and collaboration.
• Designs should fit the brand and generate a positive response from consumers.

Reporting Structure

This role reports to the Manager, Production Design. The next level above that is the VP, Design Studio.

Key Relationships

Internal partners include the Design Studio, Sourcing, PD, and merchant groups. External relationships include CAD and artists.

Qualifications

• A post-secondary degree or diploma in graphic design or a related design discipline is required.
• At least 2 to 3 years of experience in an agency or in-house creative environment is needed.
• Strong ability in graphic design, page layout, and typography is essential.
• Experience using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Procreate for graphics work is required.
• You should have strong attention to detail, professional communication skills, and the ability to communicate clearly in writing and verbally.
• You must be able to work independently with limited supervision.
• You should also work well in a team environment and contribute to shared outcomes.
• Excellent time management is important, along with the ability to balance several priorities and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of design and development standards in a retail setting is expected.
• Strong organization and communication skills are important for success in this role.
• Experience in branding and packaging design would be considered an advantage.

Additional Information

This is an active opening within Indigo.

Indigo uses AI tools in parts of its hiring process, including screening and assessments. These tools are meant to assist the team and do not replace human judgment. The company states that it reviews these systems regularly and uses them in a way that aims to be fair, responsible, and compliant with employment and anti-discrimination laws.

Indigo says diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are central to its values. The company applies these principles in its policies, training, and hiring practices and welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and lived experiences, including BIPOC individuals, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and persons with disabilities. Candidates who need an accommodation during recruitment may contact Human Resources at talent@indigo.ca.