Art Director

Role: Art Director
Team: Graphic Design

Scope: Individual Contributor, P4

Years of Experience: 5+

Location: Ventura, CA (Hybrid)  

As the Art Director for Apparel Graphics, you will help shape and execute the visual direction of graphics across Patagonia apparel collections. You will translate seasonal ideas, brand storytelling and product needs into original artwork, typography, color and graphic systems that are compelling, consistent and ready for production. Working closely with product line managers, designers, developers and marketing, you will guide creative work from concept through final execution. Your ability to create meaningful, durable graphics and explore responsible applications will support Patagonia’s work to save our home planet.

What You’ll Do

• Create and art direct seasonal apparel graphics that express Patagonia’s brand identity, product stories and creative point of view across assigned categories.

• Translate seasonal themes and creative briefs into original artwork, typography, color strategies, trims and cohesive graphic concepts.

• Partner with Product Line Management, apparel designers, development and marketing teams to align graphics with product, brand, production and sales timelines.

• Balance hands-on design with art direction, providing clear feedback to internal designers, external creatives and agency or freelance partners as assigned.

• Prepare artwork for screen print, embroidery and specialty applications, working with graphic development partners to ensure creative intent, quality and production feasibility.

• Review and approve artwork strike-offs and revisions, resolving creative or technical issues while keeping work on schedule.

• Support artist commissioning, artwork licensing and related cost discussions when projects require external creative partners.

• Research cultural, artistic, market and competitive influences while protecting Patagonia’s brand heritage and avoiding trend-for-trend’s-sake design.

• Explore opportunities to improve materials, techniques and graphic applications with consideration for quality, longevity and environmental impact.

• Present concepts and creative rationale clearly, manage multiple projects and maintain consistent communication throughout the design process.

Who You Are

• Conceptual: You can turn an open-ended theme or product story into a clear, original visual idea.

• Hands-On: You enjoy making the work as much as guiding it and can move comfortably between concept, design and refinement.

• Collaborative: You build trust across creative, product and development partners and use feedback to strengthen the work.

• Discerning: You bring strong taste and judgment in illustration, typography, color, composition and brand expression.

• Practical: You understand that successful creative work must also meet production, quality, cost and timeline requirements.

• Curious: You stay connected to art, culture, apparel and emerging creative practices while maintaining an authentic brand perspective.

• Clear: You communicate creative intent, feedback and decisions in ways that help others move the work forward.

• Mission-Aligned: You care about responsible design, product longevity and Patagonia’s purpose to save our home planet.

Experience You Bring

• 5+ years of apparel graphics, graphic design, art direction or closely related creative experience, with a portfolio demonstrating concept development and successful final execution.

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, fine art, industrial arts or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant design tools.

• Strong capabilities in original artwork, illustration, typography, color strategy and visual storytelling.

• Working knowledge of apparel graphics production, including screen print, embroidery, trims, specialty applications and artwork preparation.

• Experience partnering with product creation or development teams and responding to technical, cost, quality and timeline constraints.

• Experience art directing or providing creative feedback to internal or external designers, illustrators or artists.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-moving, collaborative environment.

• Experience with outdoor, sport, lifestyle or global consumer brands is preferred.

• Familiarity with responsible design practices, innovative art applications, artist licensing or outdoor communities is a plus.

Hiring Range: $122,900 - $140,000 USD Annual

At Patagonia, pay ranges are assigned to a job based on the location specific market median of similar jobs according to 3rd party salary benchmark surveys. Individual pay within that range can vary for several reasons including skills/capabilities, experience, and available budget.

Benefits

Patagonia offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement and leave of absence plans. Benefit plans may vary slightly depending on the nature of your employment. 

Workplace Location Overview

This position is Hybrid, with a standard schedule of Tuesday - Thursday on-site and remote work on other days. Occasional additional office visits may be required for team events or critical meetings.

Employee Conduct
It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive, inclusive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers and vendors.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.