Freelance / Ongoing Ad Hoc Projects

Remote | Calgary Preferred, otherwise Remote EST

We're looking for an experienced Packaging Designer to support an established retail client's in-house creative team on an ongoing freelance basis.

The team supports multiple brands and product categories, with a steady flow of packaging requests throughout the year. Projects will vary in size and scope, making this a great fit for an independent designer who enjoys variety, can jump into new briefs quickly and is comfortable working across different brand identities.

This is a creative packaging design role rather than a technical packaging production role. We're looking for someone who thinks about how a product shows up at retail: how the brand, product story, features and benefits translate into compelling visual communication across different packaging formats.

The Work

You'll develop and adapt packaging and product communication for consumer goods across formats such as:

• Boxes and cartons
• Hangtags
• Header cards
• Back labels
• Inserts
• Screen-printed applications
• Product communication materials
• Packaging for softgoods and accessories

Projects may include products such as apparel, gloves, hats, beanies and other consumer goods, so you'll need to be comfortable designing for packaging with different shapes, sizes and physical constraints.

Depending on the assignment, you may be creating a new visual direction, extending an established packaging system or refreshing existing assets within a tight timeline.

What You'll Do

• Develop creative packaging concepts for new and existing products
• Apply established brand identities effectively across a range of packaging formats
• Translate product features, technology and performance benefits into clear, compelling consumer-facing communication
• Explore visual approaches that help products stand out and communicate quickly at retail
• Conduct category, competitor and visual trend research to inform design recommendations
• Build visual narratives that connect product innovation with customer needs
• Create concepts and production-ready visual assets using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
• Develop or edit 3D product and packaging visualizations when required
• Refresh existing packaging while maintaining brand consistency
• Present concepts clearly, including the thinking and rationale behind your recommendations
• Manage multiple assignments and shifting priorities while maintaining a high level of craft

What We're Looking For

Your portfolio should demonstrate strong packaging design, visual communication and consumer-facing brand work.

We're particularly interested in designers with experience across retail, apparel, softgoods, sporting goods, outdoor products, home goods or other consumer product categories.

You'll bring:

• A strong portfolio of creative packaging work
• Excellent typography, layout and visual design skills
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
• Strong understanding of how branding translates onto physical packaging
• Experience designing across different packaging formats and form factors
• Ability to communicate product features and benefits visually
• Strong understanding of consumer and retail environments
• Ability to research categories, competitors and trends and translate those insights into design ideas
• Experience with CLO 3D or similar 3D visualization tools is an asset
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and deliver within short timelines

What This Role Is - and Isn't

We're looking for a creative packaging designer, not primarily a technical packaging artist.

You'll need to understand the realities of designing for physical packaging, but the emphasis is on concept, brand expression, visual storytelling and consumer communication rather than highly technical packaging engineering or production specialization.

Working Style

This is an ad hoc freelance relationship with an ongoing flow of projects rather than a fixed-duration contract. Work volume may fluctuate depending on the needs of the different brands and internal stakeholders.

The work can be completed remotely. Calgary-based designers are preferred, as there may be opportunities to come into the office periodically for meetings and collaboration.

We're looking for someone who can become a trusted extension of the internal team: responsive, self-directed, comfortable navigating different brands and able to consistently deliver strong creative work as new assignments come in.