Assistant Designer, Graphics – Packaging

Role overview

This six-month contract is for an Assistant Designer, Graphics focused on packaging. The position supports the development of distinctive, original visual assets used in Indigo products, packaging, and internal projects. You will work closely with packaging and senior graphic design colleagues to help ensure brand consistency and a strong customer-facing visual identity, from early concept work through pre-production sign-off.

About Indigo

Indigo is a physical and digital destination built around books, ideas, lifestyle products, and the creative people behind them. The company values reading, meaningful experiences, generosity, kindness, environmental care, and the idea that stories connect people. Its mission is to inspire reading and enrich the lives of book lovers.

Guiding principles

• Hire, inspire, promote, and keep the strongest people.
• Stay focused on the customer.
• Act with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Care for one another, communities, and the environment.
• Create true, shared value.
• Use systems thinking, data, and AI effectively.

What you will do

You will contribute to the design and production of graphics, typography, and artwork for proprietary products, packaging, and related initiatives. The role involves supporting creative development, preparing artwork for final output, and helping maintain seasonal and brand alignment across assigned projects.

Performance expectations

• Deliver artwork and graphics accurately, on schedule, and to specification.
• Make a meaningful creative contribution to projects.
• Support strong satisfaction among internal partners and cross-functional teams.

Key accountabilities

• Assist with the creation of visual assets, including graphics, typography, and artwork for private-label products, packaging, and other assigned work.
• Work with design leaders to develop original concepts that meet project goals and follow brand guidelines.
• Manage artwork through the full process, including resizing, reformatting, and preparing packaging, typography, and imagery for private brand studio and hybrid packaging projects.
• When needed, source and suggest stock illustrations and patterns for purchase, and edit purchased images by retouching and recolouring them to fit seasonal concepts and brand aesthetics.
• Stay current on design trends and help ensure packaging and artwork meet high standards for quality, relevance, and presentation.
• Organize creative priorities so deliverables are completed on time, even when priorities shift.

Collaboration and team approach

• Work with others to find flexible solutions in a fast-moving environment.
• Share technical knowledge and remain open to learning from more experienced team members.

Culture and values

• Represent Indigo’s values and maintain a positive, professional presence in your work.
• Respect different perspectives and bring an open mindset.
• Support a learning culture that encourages experimentation and growth without fear of mistakes.

Reporting and key relationships

This role reports to the Director, Design. The next level up is the Vice President, Product Design. Internal relationships include the Indigo Design Studio, Global Sourcing, and General Merchandise teams.

Portfolio requirement

A portfolio is mandatory for consideration. Applicants must include a portfolio link or attach the portfolio to the resume.

Additional information

This posting is for an active opening within Indigo. The company uses artificial intelligence tools to support parts of the hiring process, including screening and assessments. These tools are intended to assist the team and do not replace human judgment. Indigo states that it applies these tools responsibly, fairly, and in line with applicable employment and anti-discrimination laws, with ongoing review to reduce the risk of bias or discrimination.

Equity, diversity, and accommodations

Indigo says diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are core values, and that these principles are reflected in training, policies, and hiring practices. The company welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and lived experiences, including BIPOC individuals, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and persons with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during recruitment, you may contact Human Resources at talent@indigo.ca.

Qualifications

You should have a post-secondary degree or diploma in graphic design or a related design discipline. Experience designing for retail is considered an advantage, with at least one year of experience noted as beneficial. Strong capability in graphic design, page layout, typography, and image manipulation is expected, along with familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Procreate. The role also calls for strong conceptual thinking, clear communication, solid organization, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and comfort receiving constructive feedback. Experience in branding and package design is an asset.