Freelance Packaging Designer – AI-Assisted Concept Development

<h3>Accountabilities:</h3><li>Develop initial packaging and label concepts based on project briefs, translating brand objectives and product requirements into distinctive visual directions.</li><li>Participate in live brainstorming and ideation sessions with designated stakeholders when mutually agreed, generating creative options and exploring alternative concepts in real time.</li><li>Use AI-assisted creative tools to rapidly produce packaging mockups, label variations, flavor extensions, and limited-edition concepts.</li><li>Combine AI-generated imagery with traditional graphic design techniques to refine visual ideas and ensure they align with brand identity and packaging objectives.</li><li>Revise and improve concepts based on consolidated stakeholder feedback, meeting agreed project milestones and turnaround times.</li><li>Deliver concept boards, rough mockups, and presentation-ready visuals that can be handed over to internal design teams or external agencies for final production artwork.</li><li>Provide expert recommendations on shelf impact, consumer appeal, packaging trends, competitive positioning, and visual communication within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) category.</li><li>Explore creative alternatives and rapidly test design directions to support efficient concept evaluation and product innovation.</li><li>Manage project deliverables independently, determining the appropriate creative methods, tools, workflow, and schedule to meet agreed objectives.</li><li>Coordinate project scope, deliverables, milestones, and any additional services through mutually agreed briefs or statements of work.</li><li>Maintain professional standards regarding confidentiality, intellectual property, brand guidelines, and the proper licensing of creative tools and software.</li><h2>Requirements:</h2><li>At least 5 years of professional experience in CPG packaging design, brand design, packaging innovation, or a closely related field. Experience in beverage packaging is a strong advantage.</li><li>Advanced, hands-on proficiency with AI-powered creative tools such as Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT/DALL·E, Stable Diffusion, or comparable platforms.</li><li>Strong command of traditional graphic design software, particularly Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, with the ability to combine AI-generated concepts with established design workflows.</li><li>A portfolio demonstrating relevant consumer product packaging projects, creative brand development, and AI-assisted concept generation.</li><li>A strong understanding of packaging design principles, visual storytelling, shelf presence, consumer behavior, and current CPG design trends.</li><li>Ability to generate multiple creative directions quickly, respond constructively to feedback, and refine concepts within short project timelines.</li><li>Confidence collaborating with senior stakeholders, participating in live ideation sessions, presenting creative recommendations, and adapting ideas in real time.</li><li>Excellent visual communication, creative problem-solving, and time-management skills, with the ability to balance speed, originality, and brand consistency.</li><li>An established freelance, consulting, or independent design business that provides services to the market, maintains applicable business registrations, and uses its own equipment and properly licensed software.</li><li>Ability to work independently, manage project schedules, and determine the methods and processes needed to deliver agreed outcomes.</li><li>Availability to participate in mutually scheduled working sessions when required, including occasional evening or weekend sessions if agreed by both parties.</li><li>Professionalism in managing client relationships, project documentation, confidentiality, and intellectual property requirements.</li><h2>Benefits:</h2><li>
<strong>Remote flexibility:</strong>Work from a location of your choice using your own workspace, equipment, and software.</li><li>
<strong>Independent working arrangements:</strong>Maintain control over your creative process, workflow, schedule, and methods of delivering agreed results.</li><li>
<strong>Project-based engagement:</strong>Accept assignments according to your availability, interests, and capacity, with workload varying according to business needs.</li><li>
<strong>Flexible compensation structure:</strong>Negotiate fees for each project or statement of work, with payment arrangements based on agreed project, milestone, daily, or hourly rates.</li><li>
<strong>Potential for an ongoing client relationship:</strong>Build a recurring professional collaboration alongside your existing freelance clients and projects.</li><li>
<strong>Creative autonomy:</strong>Apply your own design methodology and preferred AI-assisted tools to explore ideas and develop innovative packaging concepts.</li><li>
<strong>Cross-functional collaboration:</strong>Work with experienced stakeholders to contribute to product innovation, brand development, and creative decision-making.</li><li>
<strong>Portfolio development:</strong>Gain opportunities to expand your experience in AI-assisted packaging concept development and consumer beverage design.</li><li>
<strong>Clear project expectations:</strong>Agree on deliverables, timelines, acceptance criteria, fees, and payment terms through written service agreements and project-specific statements of work.</li><li>
<strong>Independent contractor arrangement:</strong>Operate your own business and remain responsible for ordinary business expenses unless specific expenses are approved for reimbursement in writing.</li>