Retail Graphic Designer

About AKT: AKT (pronounced "act") is The Personal Performance Company that may change your life. Founded by West End stars Ed Currie and Andy Coxon, AKT is by and for those who are "Born to Perform" — on the stage, at work, or in life. In 2020, The Deodorant Balm made its stunning debut to rave reviews and awards from Vogue, GQ, Esquire, and Harper's BAZAAR. Plastic-free, aluminium-free, and gender-free, The Deodorant Balm instantly resonated with those looking for a natural deodorant that genuinely worked. Five fragrances and over 200,000 happy armpits later, The Deodorant Balm is already becoming a household name.

To this day, every new AKT product is put through its paces by London's hard-working theatre community to ensure it lives up to the high standards of its founders. As a rule, AKT's products don't break character — ever. It's this effectiveness that has propelled AKT from the backstage to bathroom cabinets, bedside tables, duffel bags, and carry-on luggage worldwide. And the good news is — the performance is just getting started. View our Founder Story here.

Retail Graphic DesignerWe're looking for a Retail Graphic Designer to design and deliver high-quality visual assets that bring AKT's ‘Born to Perform' ethos to life across packaging, POS, trade marketing, and all online/offline retail touchpoints — ensuring the brand is consistently represented across product launches, retail activations, and marketing campaigns. You will be a key player in ensuring AKT's packaging and trade marketing assets are bold, on-brand, and instantly recognisable in-store and online — helping to build our retail presence and connect with customers at every touchpoint.

This role sits within the Brand Marketing team but works cross-functionally with NPD and trade marketing. While packaging is a core responsibility, the majority of time will be focused on retail/trade marketing asset creation. You will report to the Marketing Manager, with functional oversight from the NPD Manager and will work very closely with Brand Marketing to ensure all retail marketing materials are delivered to the highest standard. About This RolePOS & Trade Marketing Assets Design impactful point-of-sale materials, window displays, shelf talkers, and other retail graphics for both UK and US markets.

Develop digital trade marketing assets for e-commerce retail partners (e. g. , banners, product shots, social content). Produce retailer-specific adaptations while ensuring designs remain true to AKT's brand guidelines. Collaborate with trade marketing teams to create visually engaging and commercially effective retail campaigns. Packaging Design & Development Concept Development: Design packaging concepts for new and existing products based on briefs, market research, and brand strategy. Artwork Production: Create final visual designs, including graphics, typography, and imagery, for packaging. Material Selection: Collaborate with the Product team to explore and recommend suitable materials that balance cost, sustainability, and product protection. Prototyping & Testing:

Collaborate with the Product Team to support the development of prototypes, 3D mockups, and physical samples; support testing phases (e. g. , shelf-life, functionality, customer feedback) to ensure all design reflects final art and house colours etc. Production Oversight: Prepare accurate, print-ready artwork and liaise with printers and suppliers to ensure high-quality execution. Compliance: Partner with NPD and compliance teams to ensure packaging meets safety, legal, and environmental regulations across all markets. Brand Consistency & Storytelling Ensure all visual assets — from packaging to POS — align with AKT's brand guidelines and tone of voice.

Translate the ‘Born to Perform' ethos into designs that engage, inspire, and stand out in competitive retail environments. Evolve the look and feel for different retail and cultural contexts while retaining brand integrity. Collaboration & Workflow Work closely with NPD, Marketing, and Product teams to align packaging and retail materials with overall product strategy. Partner with external designers, agencies, printers, and other suppliers to deliver on time and to the highest standard. Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Trend Awareness & Innovation Stay informed on industry trends, including sustainable packaging innovations, retail display techniques, and competitor activity.

Bring forward creative and commercially viable ideas to enhance customer experience and increase brand visibility both in-store and online. Experiment with new design tools, materials, and formats to keep AKT's visual presence fresh and forward-thinking. RequirementsEssential Proven experience as a Graphic Designer, ideally within FMCG, beauty, wellness, or lifestyle sectors. Strong portfolio showcasing packaging, POS, and retail/trade marketing design. Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) with strong technical skills in preparing accurate, print-ready artwork. Solid understanding of packaging design principles, dielines, and print production processes, including colour management and manufacturing constraints.

Ability to manage multiple projects with excellent visual design skills — typography, layout, composition, and imagery — and a strong eye for detail and brand consistency. Demonstrated experience taking packaging from concept through to production, including prototyping, mockups, and supplier liaison. Ability to interpret design briefs and translate brand identity into compelling, functional packaging and retail assets. Experience with 3D mock-ups or rendering software for packaging/retail displays. Desirable Knowledge of sustainability considerations in packaging design, including material selection and environmental impact. Familiarity with conducting packaging tests (e. g. , shelf-life, durability, consumer usability).

Understanding of global packaging compliance requirements, particularly for beauty and personal care categories. Awareness of emerging trends and innovations in packaging, POS, and retail display designBenefitsThis is a great opportunity to make a real impact and join the business in its next stage of growth, having just launched in the US. Agile Working Policy with collaboration and required Monthly team days in our new London office, right next to LibertyEmployee discounts on AKT productsAccess to perks, deals and discounts via our HR platformFunny, kind and inclusive work environment. We are banter, but we get sh*t done.

28 days holiday plus bank holidays (25 + 3 days over Christmas)If you're a driven and hungry professional with a passion for beauty and sustainability, and you're ready to make a significant impact in a fast-growing start-up, we'd love to hear from you. Join us in redefining personal care while looking after our planet!Everybody is welcomeAKT London is for everyone. We believe that an inclusive work environment and a diverse, empowered team are key to achieving our mission.

Our products are gender free and built for every BODY to help give them the confidence to step onto their stage - whatever that may be - and PERFORM. Our work environment is no different. AKT London is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We commit to a focused and sustained action to dismantle racist systems, policies, practices, and ideologies within ourselves and our networks.

We have zero tolerance for intolerance. With our Founders belonging to a minority community we commit to difference and diversity from the beginning and we know what a rich and creative work environment can cultivate. Anybody and everybody; to whoever is reading: we welcome you!