Associate Graphic Designer

Brass Monkey, part of the Galison/Mudpuppy family, is looking for an Associate Graphic Designer–and ideally a funny one. Not because we want you to entertain us, but because everything we make is grounded in a dry, clever sense of humor. That includes anything from low-stakes party games about murder, to sticker books full of judgy fish. Our products are designed and written entirely by three people in Kansas City (until you, that is), so we’re looking for someone that can contribute to all aspects of our process–and lucky for you, being clever is a big part of it.

In a technical sense, we’re a consumer goods brand founded in 2020 to make entertaining, authentic, and well-designed stuff that people didn't even know they wanted to begin with. See, we firmly believe that there's a world between fine china and bobblehead dolls–and that products can have personality without becoming roadside souvenirs. That’s our guiding principle: to make beautiful, well-crafted items that just happen to have a sense of humor. Who said that art school and open-mic nights were such a waste of time? We're looking at you, dad.

We are a highly collaborative (and fun) team–if we do say so ourselves. So, the ability to work 5 days a week in person at our Kansas City office (in the West Bottoms) is critical. That said, Brass Monkey is a proud part of Galison–out of New York City. Galison's mission is to create products that bring art into people's lives–so we'll take that as a compliment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the creation of a variety of design assets–both by following existing style directions, and by expanding and evolving them as needs arise. These will include designs for product, web, social, presentations, and more. Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are a must.
• Assist in the layout and execution of complex, multi-page, files in InDesign. This will require an eye for detail, a passion for typesetting, and a basic understanding of the mechanics of book design.
• Aid in the creation of product content. That’s our technical term for all the funny stuff that we put into our products. From immature jokes, to wry takes on the world around us–words and design go hand in hand for us. The more that you can help, the better. Experience and/or passion for copywriting is definitely a plus–but don’t worry, you don’t need to be a classically trained writer (but you certainly can be).
• Respond to outside requests from other departments (sales/production/marketing) with requested assets. This will require proficiency in Photoshop in order to resize, organize, and retouch photography/marketing resources as needed.
• Assist in the design of products from concept to execution. You'll need to learn and balance all sides of our product development. Brand strategies, assortment plans, price points, manufacturability, and overall creative and trend direction need to be considered for each item. Don't worry, we'll help.
• Assist in the production of all products, from file release through the final approval of production proofs and prototypes. This will involve daily email communication with our production team in NYC, in order to concisely explain feedback and comments on samples during the production process.

*Please note that this job description is not designed to cover all responsibilities.

Basic Qualifications:

• BFA in Graphic Design or equivalent
• Minimum of 1 year design experience
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously (not literally...you get the idea).
• Located in the Kansas City area (and commute to our office in the West Bottoms).
• A portfolio that demonstrates a refined design aesthetic with strong typographic and compositional skills.

Preferred Qualifications / Experience:

• 3+ years of professional experience in the development of consumer products and/or marketing
• Extensive skills in ideation (aka: you come up with great ideas) while not falling in love with your own thoughts. In other words, you should be able to take (and act on) feedback well.
• A copywriting/humor writing background is worth bonus points. If you can juggle, well...we'll just be impressed.
• High level of personal leadership. Is self-motivated with a strong sense of personal accountability, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Proactive, detail oriented, and possess the ability to meet tight deadlines. High degree of follow-through, flexibility and initiative.
• Strong learning agility, and the ability to adapt quickly and work through ambiguity. Able to work in a fast-paced, often changing environment and can effectively shift between strategic thinking and executing work.
• Actively works to stay ahead of trends (marketplace, product, economic, social, etc) and identify retail opportunities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. We are committed to fostering an inclusive company culture that respects and promotes diverse backgrounds and points of view. We look for candidates who will add to our culture and support the company’s vision of a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and collaborative workplace. Galison is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. If you are excited about this role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed above, we still encourage you to apply. Please submit a resume and cover letter to our career site (link below).

We offer a full suite of benefits, including but not limited to: medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k, a profit share plan, three weeks of paid vacation to start, one week of sick time per year, and company holidays, including a paid winter break between Christmas Day and New Year's Day, paid family, maternity, and paternity leave, commuter benefits, long-term disability insurance, annual wellness stipend, and more.