Creative Director- Lead Apparel / Merchandise Designer

Role: Creative Director- Lead Apparel / Merchandise Designer

Org: JakeyMac Foundation

Location: Remote / Hybrid Tampa Bay area welcome

Position: Executive / Volunteer (5–8 hrs/week)

Reports To: Founder n Board of Directors

Here's A Preview - https://youtu.be/y3FUJqBITWw?si=arGI5OmyZz05iDxt

The Mission

At the JakeyMac Foundation, we are engineering a modern ecosystem for teens and teen moms—combining practical, "screen free" gamified education tools with an authentic, empowering streetwear lifestyle brand to rapidly ramp awareness.

We reject boring, clinical non-profit merchandise. We don't slap low-effort clip-art logos on cheap promo tees that end up in the back of a closet. We are building an authentic, badge-of-honor brand that teens and young moms wear with intense pride.

We are seeking a World-Class Apparel & Merchandise Designer to conceptualize and craft our entire visual physical universe: streetwear drops, graphic tees, hoodies, headwear, custom die-cut sticker packs, and merchandise that turns a foundation into a global movement.

The Proven Design Framework We Follow

To build an Apple cult-like following that transcends traditional branding, you must design with the mindset of the worlds master architects - see examples listed - but not be limited to those for rapid growth of global youth culture:

1. Shawn Stüssy (The "Tribe" & Hand-Drawn Iconography): Like the original International Stüssy Tribe, you understand that graphic apparel is an emblem of belonging. You know how to leverage raw, iconic typography, custom hand-drawn insignia, and signature emblems that make wearers feel part of an elite, supportive inner circle.
2. Nigo / BAPE & Human Made (Graphic Mascot & Collectible Artifacts): Like Nigo’s mastery of iconic mascots, repeatable graphic motifs, and bold pop aesthetics, you design items that people don’t just wear—they collect, trade, and plaster on skateboards, laptops, and water bottles.
3. Virgil Abloh (The "3% Rule" & Subversive Deconstruction): Like Virgil’s design ethos at Off-White, you know how to take familiar wardrobe staples and inject conceptual typography, ironic quotes, industrial detailing, and high-fashion attitude to turn everyday clothing into wearable art.
4. James Jebbia (The Badge of Honor & Drop Culture): Like Supreme, you understand the power of limited drops, razor-sharp visual restraint, and sticker culture that turns a simple graphic into a coveted identity symbol.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Apparel & Merch Design: Design high-demand graphic tees, heavyweight hoodies, hats (snapbacks, beanies, 5-panels), jackets, and accessories tailored specifically to modern teen and young mother aesthetics.
• Cult Sticker & Accessory Architecture: Create collectible, die-cut sticker packs, patches, pins, and physical artifacts that turn our digital products and educational tools into tangible cultural phenomena.
• Drop Concept & Visual Storytelling: Conceptualize thematic capsule collections and seasonal "drops" that celebrate resilience, personal agency, and real-world independence.
• Tech Packs & Production Specs: Build production-ready vector assets, color callouts (Pantone), screen-print placements (oversized back hits, chest graphics, sleeve prints), and manufacturing tech packs for print and embroidery vendors.
• Digital & Physical Asset Synchronization: Ensure all physical designs visually reinforce our gamified digital platforms, app icons, badges, and educational leaderboards.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated portfolio in streetwear design, action sports apparel, lifestyle merchandise, or youth culture graphic design.
• Mastery of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and professional garment mockups/tech packs.
• Deep instinct for what teens and young moms actually wear today—oversized silhouettes, bold vintage graphics, distressed textures, Y2K/streetwear resurgence, and clean minimal emblems.
• Zero tolerance for generic corporate merch; an obsession with typography, print finishes (puff print, water-based inks, direct-to-garment, high-density embroidery), and textile hand-feel.
• A shared passion for youth empowerment, destigmatizing teen parenting, and creating generational self-reliance.

Why This Seat Matters

• Creative Autonomy: You are the chief visual architect of our physical goods. No design-by-committee—you work directly with the Founder to bring bold visions to reality.
• Global Tribe Impact: Your graphics will be worn across the country by teens and young moms who draw real strength, dignity, and community from the garments you create.
• Flexible Commitment: 5 to 8 focused hours per week, structured around your schedule.

How to Apply

Skip the formal cover letter. Send:

1. A link to your portfolio, Dribbble, Behance, or Instagram showing your apparel, streetwear, typography, or sticker design work.
2. A short paragraph stating: If you had to design the first JakeyMac limited graphic tee and sticker drop for teen moms and youth, what visual concept would you explore first?

Send your materials to jakeymac.org@gmail -> with the subject line: Lead Apparel Designer – [Your Name] – JakeyMac Foundation

Here's A Sample Preview - https://youtu.be/y3FUJqBITWw?si=arGI5OmyZz05iDxt