Lead Designer, Graphic Design

The Lead Designer, Graphic Design role at NIKE SKIMS focuses on developing head-to-toe graphics and branding elements for women’s sport and movement. The position turns culture and style insights into product-relevant graphic design, working closely with internal partners across product and design under the NikeSKIMS Design Ethos.

Location

Los Angeles, California, United States (onsite)

Compensation

USD 108,500 - 220,400 per yearly

Role Responsibilities

• Partner with internal teams including Footwear, Color and Apparel Designers, Developers, and Product Line Managers.
• Collaborate across multiple teams to deliver creative solutions in line with the NikeSKIMS Design Ethos.
• Manage deadlines, ensure design feasibility, and build consensus around design work.
• Execute the design and development of head-to-toe graphics and branding elements.
• Translate insights into product-relevant graphics for apparel and footwear.
• Maintain a hands-on approach across product creation, ideation, and product development.
• Work across product categories, supporting trend discovery and experiential direction, and contributing to product storytelling and graphic language.

What You Will Need

• Experience as a Graphic Designer with strong foundations across footwear, apparel, accessories, and lifestyle, able to drive graphic design expression across pillars within the Energy category construct.
• Team-oriented work style, contributing at a high level and owning key bodies of work, seasonal moments, and special projects.
• Highly organized systems thinking, comfortable working in ambiguity while managing multiple timelines and work streams, and navigating cross-functional constraints with clarity and momentum.
• Cultural curiosity and fluency, informed by design, music, fashion, sport, and emerging creative communities, using observation and insight rather than trend-chasing.
• A strong, well-curated graphic design portfolio demonstrating excellence in research, concept development, visual storytelling, process, and final execution.
• Portfolio must include both individual craft and collaborative work across complex projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training.
• 5-7+ years of relevant graphic design experience (apparel/footwear).
• Strong taste level and understanding of current and emerging design influence and visual culture.
• Lead-level skills across ideation, design development, specification, and final execution, with knowledge of typography, print and pattern, sketching, illustration, brand identity, and visual systems across product and storytelling platforms.
• Proficiency in graphic applications, development, PR and schematic tools, and the apparel product creation process.
• Ability to work across multiple timelines and complexity levels, prioritizing short- and long-term projects while maintaining creative excellence and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to create concepts, iterate, and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary product and creative team in a fast-paced environment.
• Resilient, solutions-oriented approach that adapts quickly to shifting business needs without sacrificing creative integrity.
• High proficiency in Adobe CC is required.
• Familiarity with 3D design tools is a plus; willingness to learn is expected.
• Interest in team development, with self-awareness and the ability to reflect on strengths, growth areas, and learnings in support of others.

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field

Experience Level

5 years minimum experience

Technology

• Adobe CC

Hiring Process

• Apply
• Meet a Recruiter or Take an Assessment
• Interview

Game Plan Details

• Review job descriptions, departments, and teams to discover fit for the role.
• If selected for a corporate role, a recruiter will reach out to start the interview process and serve as the main contact throughout.
• If selected for retail roles, you will complete an interactive assessment with a chat and quizzes that takes about 10-20 minutes.
• Prepare for the interview stage by researching the role, understanding what the team is looking for, and being ready for questions related to your background.