Freelance Packaging Designer

About the company

Open Ring is developing what it describes as the world’s first open-source smart ring platform, created for researchers, startups, and developers. The company is building a community-led ecosystem focused on wearable technology innovation and is looking for experienced talent to help support its growth.

Role summary

This freelance role is for a packaging designer who can take a smart ring package from early concept all the way to prototype development and production readiness. The work goes beyond visual design and includes structural packaging, physical samples, technical documentation, and coordination with suppliers. The final solution should be compact, premium, and ready for manufacturing for the smart ring, charger, printed inserts, and related accessories.

Responsibilities

• Research current packaging directions, materials, and finishing options that are relevant to the product.
• Build both the visual and structural packaging direction, covering the outer box, internal inserts, trays, closures, accessory storage, and the complete unboxing experience.
• Produce sketches, dielines, 3D concepts, renderings, mock-ups, and physical prototype samples.
• Create protective fitments that keep the ring and accessories stable and safe from scratches, movement, and shipping damage.
• Define materials, colours, papers, textures, coatings, and surface finishes.
• Adjust the design based on prototype trials, supplier input, budget constraints, assembly needs, and manufacturing limits.
• Deliver production-ready files and technical documentation with measurements, tolerances, dielines, artwork, material specs, finishes, assembly steps, and packing instructions.
• Make sure the packaging works for retail display, e-commerce delivery, storage, and fulfilment while balancing quality, sustainability, size, weight, and cost.
• Keep organized version control, revision histories, and approval records during the project.

Requirements

• Proven experience in structural packaging and packaging development.
• A portfolio showing packaging work from concept stage through prototype and final manufacturing.
• Background in wearables, jewellery, luxury goods, beauty, wellness, or other small premium products.
• Strong knowledge of box construction, inserts, fitments, dielines, tolerances, closures, materials, and assembly methods.
• Hands-on experience making physical prototypes and iterating through revisions.
• Good understanding of print production, colour handling, embossing, foil, coatings, and other finishing techniques.
• Ability to prepare supplier-ready technical packs, production artwork, and detailed specifications.
• Knowledge of manufacturing considerations such as tooling, minimum order quantities, quality checks, and cost efficiency.
• Skilled in Adobe Illustrator and relevant CAD or structural packaging software.
• Clear communication skills, including the ability to share realistic timelines, progress updates, and well-organized file handovers.

Project details

This is a project-based freelance assignment with an hourly rate that will be agreed depending on experience and scope. The role is remote, but candidates must be based in Europe and ready to begin immediately. Applications from outside Europe will not be considered.

Application instructions

Applicants should share their portfolio, hourly rate, location, and availability by email. The portfolio must include at least one packaging project that demonstrates structural development, technical drawings or dielines, prototype work, and the final manufactured result.