Production Artist I

About Hand2mind

For more than 60 years, hand2mind has inspired learning through play by creating hands‑on, classroom‑tested materials that help children learn by doing. We’re a growing, family-owned company recognized as a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace and trusted by teachers and families alike. We create a wide range of educational products—classroom tools like Hands-on Standards ® , consumer products for NumberBlocks ® , and innovative items like our new BubblePlush™ Yoga Balls. If you’re curious, collaborative, and a kid at heart, you’ll feel right at home here. Join us in shaping the future of learning with our award-winning team!

Position Description

The Production Artist I will serve as a vital contributor in ensuring high-quality visual and digital assets that support the company’s educational mission. This role requires technical precision, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to work across multiple teams including Design, Product Development, and Marketing. The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in managing production workflows, delivering high-quality digital and print-ready assets, and leveraging AI-driven art creation to enhance innovation. This role requires a strong commitment to maintaining brand integrity and consistency across all projects. This position reports to the Production Manager and operates as an independent contributor within a collaborative team environment. This role offers significant opportunities to learn and grow while contributing to projects that have a real impact on the company's success.

What You’ll Do Day To Day (Responsibilities)

• Use Adobe InDesign to layout new and/or update existing Teacher Guides, Student Guides, Consumer Product Guides, and/or Marketing Collateral such as Brochures, Sell Sheets, and Catalogs.
• Update/create art using Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop as needed to support layouts
• Collaborate with Design, Product Development, and Marketing teams to accurately implement feedback.
• Maintain working files following company folder structure.
• Maintain communication on project status and milestones using task management software.
• Assist team members with product art creation templates in Adobe Illustrator.
• Follow projects through each round of production from layout through product proofing stages with support from senior team members.
• Research/download images as needed from stock photo site.
• Lead AI research initiatives to identify and evaluate emerging technologies that support the Creative team’s strategic goals.
• Champion internal AI tools to increase productivity across image generation, vector artwork, and other production workflows.
  
  
  

What We’re Looking For (Key Performance Objectives)

• Lead research on AI or automation platforms to increase efficiency by 25% on Catalog and Sell Sheet projects.
• Conduct ongoing research and evaluation of AI tools and software to support the Creative department, delivering quarterly share-outs.
• Within the first 60 days, learn the multiple production workflows and how they are tracked in Monday.com.
• Apply your knowledge of the Consumer Guide production workflow (learned in the first 60 days) to take at least 15 consumer product guides from layout through final posted files by EOY.
• Aid in the layout and production of at least 6 issues of sell sheet distribution with updates published by the 1 st of the month.
• Contribute to the layout and production of the hand2mind catalog interior pages staying on track to meet files to printer to dates in July and November.
  
  
  

Requirements/Ideal Attributes

• Bachelors Degree and/or related work experience is necessary
• Be able to solve problems creatively and/or know when to seek help with good communication skills
• Ability to work independently and within a team setting and prioritize projects appropriately
• Must have a strong level of organization and attention to detail
• Ability to react to change productively
• Proficient in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Acrobat
• Demonstrated experience with current AI tools, along with a curiosity‑driven, problem‑solving mindset to continuously expand skills and knowledge in the area.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Portfolio demonstrating production work or related course work using Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop
• Interest and experience using AI to create art
• 0–2 years experience in education, publishing, or toy industry
  
  
  

We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO employer.

Please note: This role will be filled by our internal recruitment team, so no assistance is needed from any outside staffing agency at this time.

Compensation Range: $28.44 - $31.25 per hour – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: years of experience, skill set and location. Total compensation includes profit sharing bonus potential, 401k matching, and a variety of other benefits (details can be found here ).

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