Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. It's our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for.
Freelance Creative Designer – Merchandise & Product Concepts
Location: Remote / Freelance
Employment Type: Freelance / Project-Based
Company: BDA
BDA is looking to connect with talented freelance creative designers who can jump in and support our team when rush projects, overflow work, or specialized creative needs come up.
This is not a full-time or consistently scheduled role. Instead, we are building a network of trusted freelance partners who are open to taking on project-based work here and there, depending on client needs, timing, and availability. Some projects may come with a defined timeline, while others may move quickly or evolve as the work develops.
This could be a great fit for someone who enjoys variety, moves quickly, and is comfortable jumping into creative projects that help bring brands to life through meaningful, thoughtful, and unexpected merchandise experiences.
What You’ll Help Create
In this freelance role, you may support a wide range of creative deliverables, including custom merchandise concepts, limited-time fan collectibles, product packaging, promotional activations, product presentations, and client-facing visual storytelling.
The right freelance partner understands that great merchandise is more than putting a logo on a product. It is about understanding the brand, the audience, the moment, and how a product can create excitement, connection, and memorable customer experiences.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for creative partners who are able to:
• Stay aware of current trends, collectibles, retail merchandise, fan culture, and consumer product moments
• Understand how to design for different audiences, brand voices, and customer experiences
• Concept creative merchandise that feels fresh, intentional, and brand-right
• Think big while still designing with the final product, production process, and business need in mind
• Move quickly, juggle multiple creative priorities, and adapt as needs shift
• Design across a variety of product categories, including apparel, hard goods, collectibles, packaging, displays, and promotional merchandise
• Create visuals and presentations that help clients clearly understand and get excited about an idea
• Prepare organized, production-ready files when needed
Possible Project Work
Depending on the project, freelance support may include:
Trend Research & Inspiration Boards
Researching and compiling trend boards that highlight emerging design, merchandise, collectible, and consumer trends relevant to the client, audience, and industry.
Creative Concept Development
Developing fresh, compelling creative concepts that align with a client’s brand while bringing forward new ideas that can surprise, delight, and inspire purchase.
Product & Merchandise Design
Concepting and designing custom products, promotional merchandise, apparel, hard goods, collectibles, packaging, and seasonal or audience-specific product ideas. Experience with 3D files is a plus.
Product Decks & Visual Storytelling
Creating visually engaging, organized, client-ready concept decks that clearly communicate the idea, product story, design direction, and customer experience.
Production File Preparation
Preparing vendor-ready design files that meet production and decoration specifications, including file formats, color profiles, dielines, resolution, and production guidelines.
File Organization & Collaboration
Maintaining organized design files, naming conventions, folder structures, and version control so internal teams and vendor partners can collaborate efficiently.
Client Presentation Support
Presenting or helping communicate design concepts in a clear, thoughtful, and persuasive way, including explaining design decisions and incorporating feedback.
Experience That Would Be Helpful
Strong freelance partners may bring experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Merchandise design, product design, graphic design, or retail creative
• Apparel design, print production, packaging, promotional products, or hard goods
• QSR (Quick Serve Restaurant), restaurant, entertainment, sports, lifestyle, retail, or consumer brand work
• Collectibles, fan merchandise, limited-edition product drops, or promotional activations
• Adobe Creative Suite and presentation design
• Preparing production-ready files for vendors
• 3D product visualization or 3D file experience, a plus
Freelance Partnership Expectations
Because this is freelance/project-based work, we are looking for individuals who:
• Are comfortable with work that is not guaranteed or consistent
• Are open to being contacted when project needs arise
• Can be clear about availability and turnaround times
• Can jump into fast-moving work when timing aligns
• Are comfortable with projects that may vary in scope, timeline, and direction
• Can work independently while staying collaborative, responsive, and organized
Why BDA?
At BDA, we create merchandise experiences that help brands connect with people in memorable ways. Our work can show up in retail, restaurants, stadiums, events, promotional campaigns, employee programs, and customer moments of all kinds.
We are always looking for creative partners who understand the power of product and can help turn a brand moment into something people want to keep, wear, share, collect, or talk about.
If you are a freelance creative who loves merchandise, trends, storytelling, and bringing product ideas to life, we would love to hear from you.
Our Core Values:
- BDA is a Team and a Family
- Always Strive to Be The Best
- Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Tigger Attitude
- Work Hard, Play Hard
- Make It Happen the Best Way
- Total Client Affinity & Advocacy
Want to learn more? So much to explore
- BDA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bda_inc/
- Harper + Scott (a BDA company): https://www.harperandscott.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/harperandscott/
- swagup (a BDA company) end-to-end Merch Ecommerce site: https://www.swagup.com/
- Idea Planet (a BDA company): https://www.ideaplanetlp.com/about
- BDA Careers Page: https://www.bdainc.com/careers/
- LinkedIn – BDA page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bdainc/
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Connect With Us! Not ready to apply? Connect with us for general consideration.
Skills Required
- Prepare vendor-ready, production-ready design files (color profiles, dielines, resolution, production guidelines)
- Design across product categories including apparel, hard goods, collectibles, packaging, displays, and promotional merchandise
- Create client-facing visual storytelling, product decks, and presentations
- Trend research and compiling inspiration boards relevant to client, audience, and industry
- Strong file organization, naming conventions, folder structures, and version control
- Ability to move quickly, juggle multiple priorities, and adapt as project needs shift
- Comfortable working independently as a freelance/project-based partner and communicating availability/turnaround
- Experience with Adobe Creative Suite
- Experience preparing production-ready files for vendors
- 3D product visualization or experience working with 3D files
- Background in merchandise design, product design, retail creative, or consumer brand work
What We Do
BDA is the nation's premier promotional Merchandise Agency™. We help our clients meet their business needs through the power of branded merchandise. Our clients consist of Fortune 1000 companies worldwide and every major U.S. sports league and team. Customers come to us to extend their brand reach through strategic initiatives, custom campaigns, integrated eCommerce programs and sports sponsorship activations. And associates come to us for our high energy and high expectations. We are over 900 associates strong, operating in offices around the globe, including our newest office in Manila. Our Locations: Atlanta, Austin, Bentonville, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Greenville, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Manila, Milwaukee, New York, Newark, Paris, Phoenix, Portland, Providence, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Washington D.C., and Windsor Today, the company is celebrating 34 years of business with such high-profile brands as Coca-Cola, Sony, AT&T, NFL, Ford, Starbucks, GE, Kellogg’s, HBO, and many more. Interested in joining the BDA family? Visit https://www.bdainc.com/culture/
