Apparel Graphic Designer

WHO WE ARE

Breakaway is a fast-growing music and entertainment company creating high-energy live experiences and culture-forward brands. As the largest independent touring music festival in North America, Breakaway brings fans, artists, and communities together across multiple markets through festivals, partnerships, content, and merchandise. Our merchandise extends the Breakaway experience beyond the festival grounds, turning memorable moments, local energy, and music culture into products fans are excited to wear and collect.

THE ROLE

Breakaway is seeking an Apparel Graphics Designer for a contract opportunity. This role will shape the graphic identity of our apparel line, from festival merchandise to limited-edition drops, artist collaborations, and brand partnerships. This individual will partner closely with Merchandising, Marketing, and external production partners to translate brand storytelling into bold, wearable graphics across tees, fleece, outerwear, headwear, and accessories.

The ideal candidate lives at the intersection of music, streetwear, art, and culture and can move fluidly between research, hand-sketched concepts, digital design, garment visualization, and production-ready execution. This person combines a distinct creative point of view with strong technical skills, clear communication, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Apparel Graphics & Product Storytelling

• Partner with Merchandising to translate creative briefs, moodboards, assortment plans, and product direction into compelling apparel graphics.
• Design original graphics, prints, patterns, typography, illustrations, iconography, lockups, and branding applications across seasonal collections, festival merchandise, collaborations, and limited-edition releases.
• Create culturally relevant, collectible, and distinctly Breakaway designs that are both original and commercially viable.
• Refine artwork based on creative direction and feedback throughout the design process.

Design & Product Development

• Develop realistic product mockups that accurately communicate garment construction, artwork placement, scale, materials, colors, and trim details.
• Develop production-ready artwork and technical packages for both graphic and cut-and-sew products, including garment specifications, measurements, construction details, artwork placement, color callouts, materials, and trims.
• Partner with printers, embroidery partners, and manufacturers to ensure designs translate successfully across garments, materials, and production methods.
• Review samples, strike-offs, lab dips, and production proofs; provide clear design feedback and refinements to maintain creative intent and production quality.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner cross-functionally with Merchandising, Product Development, Marketing, Partnerships, and external partners to align creative work with product strategy, brand direction, budgets, and go-to-market timelines.
• Present concepts and design rationale clearly, incorporating feedback from creative leadership, internal stakeholders, artists, brand partners, and licensors into final designs.

Creative Operations & Trend Awareness

• Manage multiple projects concurrently against overlapping seasonal, production, and launch deadlines.
• Stay immersed in music, streetwear, fashion, art, youth culture, and emerging design technology to keep Breakaway's apparel culturally relevant and forward-looking.
• Contribute ideas that strengthen Breakaway's apparel collections and visual identity.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience.
• 5+ years of relevant graphic or apparel design experience, ideally within fashion, streetwear, sportswear, music, entertainment, or other culture-led brands.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Strong creative point of view and understanding of typography, color, composition, fashion, culture, and emerging design trends.
• Strong understanding of apparel production and garment development, including print and embroidery techniques, materials, trims, garment construction, cut-and-sew specifications, and factory-ready tech packs.
• Strong communication, organization, and collaboration skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities against tight deadlines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience designing merchandise for music festivals, artists, entertainment, sports, or other culture-led brands.
• Experience working directly with domestic and overseas manufacturing partners through technical development, sampling, and approvals.
• Experience with specialty print treatments, washes, appliqués, embroidery, woven labels, trims, and elevated apparel details.
• Experience supporting limited-edition drops, artist collaborations, licensed products, or brand partnerships.

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENT

To be considered, candidates must submit a creative design portfolio. Please provide a website link or attach a PDF with your application. Please include examples of production-ready artwork, apparel collections, and projects that demonstrate your creative process from concept through final product

***Location & Remote Work

This contractor position is 100% remote, and contractors may work remotely regardless of location. Please note that should the opportunity transition to a full-time employee (FTE) position, employees are required to be based in one of our designated home office locations. (New York, Los Angeles, Columbus, Nashville, Charlotte).