Custom Framer / Personal Designer at Michaels Stores

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Custom Framer / Personal Designer

Company: Michaels Stores

Location: Clark, NJ

Job Type: PART_TIME

Category: Custom Design / Retail Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-10T00:00:00

Experience Level: 0-2 Years (Entry Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

Help customers visualize and create personalized framing solutions for their artwork, photographs, and cherished items.
Engage directly with customers to understand their design preferences and needs, providing expert guidance on framing options.
Utilize design principles and product knowledge to recommend appropriate materials, styles, and techniques for custom framing projects.
Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction through attentive service and the delivery of quality design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The title "Personal Designer" implies a focus on individual customer consultation and tailored design solutions, moving beyond just the technical aspects of framing. This role requires creative problem-solving and the ability to translate customer ideas into tangible design outcomes.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

Build strong customer relationships by actively listening to their framing needs and offering creative design suggestions.
Execute the "Elevated ABC Deliver" sales process to guide customers through the custom framing selection and design process.
Achieve sales and production targets for custom framing services and related products.
Accurately measure, cut, and assemble framing materials, including glass and matting, using specialized framing equipment.
Maintain the organization and appearance of the ready-made frame department and other assigned retail areas.
Provide friendly and helpful customer service, assisting customers throughout the store and resolving inquiries.
Adhere to standard operating procedures for framing production, customer service, and store operations.
Support store initiatives related to loss prevention and safety protocols.
Collaborate effectively with colleagues, maintaining a positive and respectful demeanor.
Participate in the receiving and stocking of merchandise, ensuring efficient processing.
Operate the cash register and handle transactions accurately.
Assist customers with Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS) and other omnichannel services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of design consultation, technical execution (framing), customer service, and retail operations. This requires a candidate who is comfortable engaging creatively with customers while also performing precise, detailed work and contributing to overall store functions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. While not explicitly stated, coursework or experience in art, design, or visual merchandising could be beneficial given the "Personal Designer" aspect.

Experience: Basic computer and measuring skills are essential. Experience in a retail environment, particularly in sales or a customer-facing role, is preferred. Prior experience with custom framing or a related craft is a significant asset, though not explicitly required, suggesting on-the-job training may be provided.

Required Skills:

Basic computer proficiency for order entry and system navigation.
Accurate measuring skills for precise framing specifications.
Ability to operate framing equipment and glass cutter safely and effectively.
Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
Ability to follow detailed instructions and standard operating procedures.

Preferred Skills:

Experience in a retail sales environment, demonstrating the ability to engage customers and drive sales.
Proven ability to sell products and services, comfortable with sales conversations and upselling.
Experience with custom framing techniques or a related craft.
Visual design skills and an eye for aesthetics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "basic" skills suggests that extensive prior framing experience is not mandatory, making this an entry-level opportunity for individuals with a creative inclination and strong customer service skills. The preferred skills indicate a desire for candidates who can effectively blend design consultation with sales.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials: While a formal portfolio isn't explicitly requested for this role, demonstrating a passion for design, art, or crafting during the interview process will be beneficial. Be prepared to discuss personal projects or experiences where you've applied design principles or assisted others with creative endeavors.

Process Documentation: For this role, demonstrating an understanding of a creative process might involve discussing how you approach problem-solving, how you take customer input and translate it into a design solution, or how you ensure quality in your work. Think about past experiences where you've guided someone through a creative decision or helped them achieve a desired aesthetic outcome.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the retail and "Personal Designer" context, a traditional design portfolio focused on digital interfaces or elaborate visual branding might not be the most relevant. Instead, focus on showcasing your ability to understand customer needs, apply design principles in a practical setting, and deliver a high-quality, personalized result, even through verbal examples or descriptions of personal projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $16.50 - $19.40 per hour. This range is provided directly by the employer and reflects the expected compensation for this part-time Custom Framer / Personal Designer role in the Clark, NJ area.

Benefits:

Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, and Vision options available for eligible part-time Team Members).
Paid Time Off (Accrual rates and eligibility may vary based on part-time status).
Tuition Assistance (Opportunities for professional development and continued learning).
Generous Employee Discounts on merchandise, encouraging personal creativity and product knowledge.

Working Hours: This is a part-time position. Specific hours will likely vary based on store needs and candidate availability. Flexibility, including evenings, weekends, and early mornings, is expected given the retail environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicitly stated salary range is highly valuable. The benefits package, while standard for many retailers, includes tuition assistance and generous discounts, which can be particularly appealing to individuals interested in pursuing further education or who are passionate about arts and crafts.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Retail - Specializing in Arts, Crafts, Framing, and DIY supplies. The industry focuses on providing materials and services that enable individuals to express their creativity.

Company Size: Large (10,001+ employees globally). This indicates a well-established company with structured processes and potentially more opportunities for internal movement, even in part-time roles.

Founded: 1973. Michaels has a long history in the arts and crafts retail space, suggesting stability and a deep understanding of its market.

Team Structure:

The role is part of a store team, reporting to a store manager or department lead.
Collaboration with other team members across different departments (e.g., cashiers, stockers) is essential for smooth store operations.
Within the framing department, collaboration on complex projects or during busy periods is likely.

Methodology:

The primary "design" methodology mentioned is the "Elevated ABC Deliver" process, which is a structured approach to customer engagement and sales within the custom framing service.
Emphasis is placed on following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for both framing production and retail tasks.
Quality execution and on-time completion of framing orders are key aspects of the operational methodology.

Company Website: https://www.michaels.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Michaels' focus on "fueling the joy of creativity" provides context for the "Personal Designer" aspect of the role. The retail environment means the design process is customer-facing, fast-paced, and directly linked to sales and operational efficiency.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Entry-level. This role is suitable for individuals starting their career in a design-adjacent or creative retail environment. It provides foundational experience in customer consultation, material selection, and technical execution within a specific design discipline (framing).

Reporting Structure: This role likely reports to the Custom Framing Manager or the Store Manager, depending on the store's size and structure. This places the role within the store's operational hierarchy.

Design Impact: The design impact is direct and personal, focused on helping individual customers preserve and display their cherished items. Success in this role directly contributes to customer satisfaction and the store's revenue through custom framing sales.

Growth Opportunities:

Opportunities to develop expertise in various framing techniques, materials, and design styles.
Potential to take on more complex framing projects as skills advance.
Could potentially lead to a full-time Custom Framing role or a supervisory position within the framing department or store operations.
Experience gained in customer service, sales, and creative problem-solving is transferable to other retail, design, or customer-focused roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is an entry-level role, the "Personal Designer" aspect offers a unique opportunity to develop design consultation and sales skills in a creative context. Growth paths within Michaels or leveraging this experience for other design-related roles are potential next steps.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Retail Store Environment. The primary workspace is the custom framing area within a Michaels retail store. This is a public-facing environment where interactions with customers are frequent.

Office Location(s): Clark-1255 Raritan Rd, Unit 130, Clark, NJ. This is a specific retail store location.

Design Workspace Context:

The framing area is equipped with specialized tools and machinery for cutting, assembling, and finishing frames.
It is a hands-on environment requiring precision and attention to detail in handling artwork and materials.
The workspace is part of a larger retail floor, with potential for background noise and customer activity.

Work Schedule: Part-time hours, which will include a mix of weekdays, evenings, weekends, and potentially early mornings depending on store needs. Flexibility in scheduling is often required in retail roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is a key factor for candidates to consider. It's a dynamic retail setting that requires comfort interacting with the public while also focusing on detailed, craft-oriented work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process: The interview process for this role will likely focus on assessing your customer service skills, your ability to follow instructions, your comfort with basic technical tasks (like measuring), and your enthusiasm for creativity and helping customers. Expect questions about past customer interactions, problem-solving scenarios, and your interest in art and framing. While a formal portfolio isn't required, be prepared to discuss any relevant creative projects or experiences.

Portfolio Review Tips: If you have personal projects or experiences that demonstrate your creative abilities, your eye for design, or your experience helping others with creative tasks, be ready to talk about them. Focus on the process you followed, how you understood needs, and the outcome. Visual examples (even photos on your phone) could be helpful but aren't mandatory unless requested.

Challenge Preparation: There is no indication of a formal design challenge for this role. However, you might be asked to describe how you would approach a hypothetical customer framing request or how you would handle a common framing issue. Practice explaining your thought process for creative problem-solving.

ATS Keywords: Customer Service, Framing, Custom Framing, Retail, Sales, Design Consultation, Art, Craft, Measuring, Cashier, Stocking, Visual Merchandising, Relationship Building, Problem Solving, Communication, Teamwork, SOPs, Quality Control, Part-Time, Store Operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be less about showcasing a formal design portfolio and more about demonstrating interpersonal skills, a willingness to learn technical framing skills, and a passion for the creative retail environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

Custom Framing Equipment: Includes tools for cutting mat boards, glass, and frame moulding. Specific machinery will be store-dependent.
Measuring Tools: Various rulers, tapes, and potentially digital measuring devices for precise work.
Computer Systems: Used for entering custom framing orders, accessing design software (likely proprietary or simplified), and managing inventory.

Collaboration & Handoff:

Internal Communication Systems: Used for communicating with other store team members and management.
Order Management System: Software for tracking custom framing orders from consultation to completion.

Research & Testing:

Customer Consultation: The primary "research" involves understanding customer needs and preferences through conversation.
Material Samples: Utilizing samples of matting, glass, and frame styles to help customers visualize options.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "tools" in this role are a mix of physical framing equipment, standard retail technology (POS systems), and potentially specialized software for custom framing design and order entry. Proficiency with basic computer systems is required, and the ability to learn and operate specialized framing machinery is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

Customer Focus: Prioritizing the customer's vision and satisfaction in every framing project.
Quality Craftsmanship: Ensuring that each framing order is completed with precision and attention to detail.
Creative Problem-Solving: Helping customers find the best framing solution for their unique piece and space.
Team Collaboration: Working effectively with colleagues to support the overall store environment and customer experience.

Collaboration Style:

Direct and frequent interaction with customers in a retail setting.
Collaboration with other framing team members on production tasks and design consultations.
Communication with store management regarding orders, inventory, and customer feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture will be heavily influenced by the retail environment, emphasizing customer service, teamwork, and efficiency. Within the framing department, there will likely be a focus on craftsmanship and creative problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

Translating potentially vague customer ideas into concrete and aesthetically pleasing framing designs.
Working within budget constraints while still delivering a high-quality and desirable outcome.
Handling delicate or unusually sized artwork that requires specialized framing techniques.
Managing multiple framing projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and timeliness.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Training on various framing techniques, materials, and conservation methods.
Development of sales and customer consultation skills, specifically within a creative context.
Learning about art history and different artistic styles to better advise customers.
Opportunities to expand knowledge of other creative areas within the Michaels store.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for both creative problem-solving and technical precision. The growth opportunities point towards developing specialized skills within the framing discipline and expanding into related areas of art and retail.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

Describe a time you helped someone make a creative decision. How did you understand their needs and guide them to a solution? (Focus on your process of consultation and problem-solving.)
How do you ensure accuracy and attention to detail in your work? (Relate this to the precision required in framing.)
Imagine a customer has a piece of artwork they love but aren't sure how to frame. How would you approach helping them? (Demonstrate your customer service and design consultation approach.)

Company Culture Questions:

What does "fueling the joy of creativity" mean to you? How would you contribute to this in your role? (Connect with Michaels' stated purpose.)
How do you handle working in a fast-paced environment with frequent customer interaction? (Address the retail setting.)
Describe a time you worked effectively as part of a team. (Highlight your collaboration skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy: As mentioned, a formal portfolio isn't typically required. However, be prepared to verbally walk through any personal creative projects or experiences that showcase your interest in art, design, or helping others with creative tasks. Focus on your role, your process, and the outcome.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing strong customer service skills, an ability to learn technical tasks, and a genuine enthusiasm for art and creativity. Be ready to provide examples of how you've applied problem-solving and design thinking in informal or personal contexts.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

Submit your application through this link
Review the job description carefully, highlighting the requirements and preferred skills that align with your experience.
Tailor your resume to emphasize any customer service, retail, sales, or creative experience. Include any instances where you've worked with your hands, paid close attention to detail, or helped others with creative projects.
Prepare for the interview by thinking about examples that demonstrate your problem-solving skills, your ability to work with customers, and your enthusiasm for the arts and crafts industry.
Research Michaels Stores and its custom framing services to show your interest and understanding of the business.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and design industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Custom Framer / Personal Designer