Packaging & Product Photographer Designer

Position Summary

Mad Engine Global is seeking a creative, detail-oriented Packaging Designer with strong product photography and image editing experience to join our Canada Design team. This role is responsible for creating compelling retail packaging, product presentation, and visual assets that elevate both licensed and private label consumer products across multiple retail channels.

The ideal candidate combines exceptional packaging design skills with the ability to produce high-quality product photography for catalogs, e-commerce, retailer presentations, packaging mockups, and marketing materials. This individual will collaborate closely with Product Development, Production, Sales and Licensing to ensure packaging accurately reflects brand standards while meeting retailer requirements and production specifications.

The successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced consumer products environment, possesses a strong understanding of print production and packaging manufacturing, and has an eye for creating impactful visual storytelling through both design and photography.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Packaging Design

• Design innovative and consumer-focused packaging for licensed and private label products across multiple categories.
• Develop packaging concepts from initial creative direction through final production-ready artwork.
• Ensure all packaging aligns with brand guidelines, licensing requirements, retailer specifications, and Mad Engine quality standards.
• Create die line layouts, production files, and print-ready artwork.
• Prepare artwork for offset, digital, flexographic, and other commercial printing processes.
• Collaborate with Product Development to ensure packaging complements product functionality and presentation.
• Review proofs, color separations, and production samples to maintain quality and accuracy.

Product Photography & Image Production

• Photograph products for packaging, e-commerce, catalogs, presentations, and internal creative needs.
• Plan and execute studio product photography with attention to lighting, styling, composition, and brand consistency.
• Retouch, color-correct, and optimize product images using Adobe Photoshop.
• Create lifestyle composites, promotional imagery, and digital mockups.
• Maintain organized image libraries and digital asset management systems.
• Ensure photography accurately represents product color, materials, and construction.

Creative Collaboration

• Partner with Product Development, Production, Licensing and Sales teams throughout product launches.
• Participate in creative reviews and packaging presentations.
• Incorporate feedback from licensors, retailers, and internal stakeholders into final designs.
• Support seasonal launches with packaging updates and creative revisions.
• Contribute ideas that enhance product presentation and customer experience.

Production & Quality

• Prepare production-ready files that meet vendor specifications.
• Communicate with Product Development and Production teams regarding artwork revisions and technical requirements.
• Ensure artwork accuracy including copy, barcodes, legal markings, regulatory information, and brand assets.
• Maintain version control throughout the artwork approval process.
• Support packaging testing, sample reviews, and final production approvals.

Process Improvement

• Maintain organized digital assets, templates, photography files, and packaging archives.
• Stay current on packaging trends, print technologies, sustainable packaging solutions, and consumer design trends.
• Recommend process improvements that increase creative efficiency and production accuracy.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Packaging Design, Visual Communications, Photography, or related field.
• 3-6+ years of professional packaging design experience.
• Professional product photography experience.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).
• Strong understanding of print production, packaging materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience preparing production-ready artwork and print files.
• Excellent typography, layout, color, and composition skills.
• Strong photo retouching and image editing abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects while meeting tight deadlines.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience working with licensed consumer products.
• Experience designing packaging for apparel, accessories, gifts, toys, or consumer goods.
• Knowledge of photography lighting equipment and studio setup.
• Experience with digital asset management systems.
• Understanding of retailer packaging requirements.
• Experience working with overseas manufacturing partners.
• Familiarity with sustainable packaging practices.
• Basic video or motion graphics experience is considered an asset.

Technical Skills

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop (Advanced)
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Lightroom
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Mac OS environment
• Product photography equipment and lighting
• Color management and print production
• Packaging die lines and prepress preparation
• File management and digital asset organization

Key Competencies

• Creative Thinking
• Packaging Design Expertise
• Product Photography
• Visual Storytelling
• Brand Consistency
• Print Production Knowledge
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Problem Solving
• Adaptability
• Organization
• Communication
• Project Management

Working Conditions

• Full-time, on-site position based in Toronto, Ontario.
• Fast-paced, collaborative creative environment supporting multiple product categories and retail customers.
• Occasional overtime may be required to meet seasonal launch deadlines.
• May require lifting and handling product samples and photography equipment.
• Occasional travel for vendor meetings, trade shows, or retailer presentations may be required.

Why Join Mad Engine Global?

At Mad Engine Global, creativity drives everything we do. As one of North America's leading designers and manufacturers of licensed and branded consumer products, we bring iconic brands to life through innovative design, quality execution, and strong retail partnerships. Joining our Canada Design team means collaborating with talented professionals in a dynamic environment where your creativity, photography expertise, and packaging design skills will directly shape products seen by consumers across major retail channels.