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Freelance Sr. Studio Retoucher

Chicago, IL

Merge Storytelling and Technology

We bring together the minds and passions of creative pioneers, tech innovators, and data explorers to help ambitious clients solve business challenges and rise to the top. MERGE has enduring client partnerships with American Express, T-Mobile, LG, Subway, Kate Spade NY, Coach, The North Face, Meta, Adobe, BlueCross BlueShield, Abbott, Astellas, Supernus, CSL, GE Healthcare, Broward Health, Indiana University Health, Nationwide, and Morgan Stanley. With offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Montreal, New York City and Los Angeles. MERGE uses a talent-to-task process that enables clients to think higher and feel deeper about their customers. 

Promote Health, Wellness & Happiness

We are committed to promoting health, wellness and happiness in the world by partnering with purpose-driven clients in purpose-driven industries in healthcare, life science, and consumer products. Our deep vertical expertise and category insights stem from decade-long partnerships with our top clients.

Emerge to the Top of Your Career

At MERGE, we strive to create a superior work experience where talented and ambitious people grow. An experience that encourages people to think higher and feel deeper. An experience where people engage their minds and hearts to do the best work of their careers.

As our Freelance Sr. Studio Retoucher , you will...

  • Be a proficient subject matter expert (SME) in image color, retouching and manipulation with a passion for cutting-edge industry trends in retouching execution and technology

Be Accountable and Responsible

  • Extremely proficient in the practice of converting images to feature effective resolution for digital and print projects from Camera RAW through deliverable
  • Ambassador for MERGE and Studio's asset management best practices
  • Knows when to escalate issues with potential solutions as they arise with direct manager
  • Identifies image deficiencies and takes action to flag or seeks approval to directly correct
  • Provide high-quality image retouching to high-level tasks as needed
  • Understands color print separation process, including methodology
  • Knows the effective, separate file build for digital and print files
  • Understands the surface level tasks, performed by peers from other groups (Creative, Program Management) so you know when to push back or share empathy

These are the qualifications we're looking for 

  • 5+ years of retouching experience

Educational Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree preferred, or Associate degree/trade school, and/or equivalent work experience

Other Skills & Requirements

  • A portfolio showcasing professional-quality lifestyle retouching, color balance, and image manipulation
  • Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator applications 
  • Experience with Figma and other digital design tools
  • Strong knowledge of the Google Workspace Suite, including Sheets, Docs, Slides, Drive, Email, & Chat
  • Experience with 3D model and animation software preferred
  • Ethical AI integration for retouching workflows

Notification

  • This role will require minimal internet upload speeds of 25mb/s, use of MERGE assigned laptop, software and proprietary management software. 

#LI-AP1

#LI-HYBRID

At MERGE, we’re committed to fostering an environment where our team members can thrive in both their careers and personal lives, ensuring they feel supported and empowered to succeed.

MERGE believes in transparency and equity. In accordance with state regulations, we’re proud to include salary ranges in our job postings to ensure fair compensation practices.

The salary range for this role is $55.00 - $80.00 hourly, based on the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, location, and other relevant factors. The salary pay range is subject to change and may be modified at any time.  

Applicants for employment in the US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

And here’s how we live our values at MERGE

  • Ability. Mastering our craft
  • Agility. Delivering with a growth mindset
  • Humility. Collaborating for shared success

MERGE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

MERGE welcomes and celebrates diversity regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status or people with abilities. We believe that the more diverse we are, the more creative our work will be!

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