What are the responsibilities and job description for the Specialty Designer, Hard Goods/ Industrial Design position at Design Observer?
We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.
Famehouse, a division of UMG, is the preeminent leader in D2C solutions in music, defining & delivering the industry’s best-in-class service to connect artists with their fans. Established & headquartered in Philly, Famehouse powers D2C for UMG’s labels, artists, and Bravado, along with a select roster of 3rd party clients. Our success & culture is fueled by collaboration—both within FH and with our partners. We are passionate about the impact of D2C & merchandise for artists, providing a full-service solution to grow an artist’s owned business including strategy, creative, storefront merchandising, fulfillment, customer service, technology, and more.
How We LEAD
Famehouse is seeking a Specialty Designer with a passion for product innovation and design storytelling. This role bridges creative concepting with tangible execution — transforming ideas into thoughtful apparel, accessories, and specialty merchandise for the world’s most iconic music artists.
The ideal candidate is equally comfortable concepting new products product ideas as they are merchandising collections and curating presentations. They bring a multi-faceted approach to design development: drive creative ideas that are both inventive and viable, while presenting them with a fresh, forward-thinking perspective.
How You’ll CREATE
Execute Director and Senior level team members’ creative visions through apparel, accessory, and specialty merchandise design that elevate artist branding and resonate with fans.
Enhance and adapt existing graphics onto photoreal apparel silhouettes, accessories and specialty products to create cohesive and compelling assortments, with consideration for construction, materials, and finishing techniques.
Curate and design product lines and merchandising decks that visually communicate collection stories, product overviews, trend insights, and assortment strategies to artists, managers, label partners and retailers.
Partner with Product Development to ensure all designs are commercially viable, cost-effective, and scalable across channels (D2C, retail, tour, VIP).
Work with Director and Senior level team members, as well as Product Development, to ideate new silhouettes, treatments, trims, techniques, and product ideas informed by trend forecasting, sales data and artist branding.
Contribute to deck curation and storytelling for brand worlds, capabilities, and pitch materials.
Explore new materials, manufacturing methods, and packaging formats to push creative boundaries and sustainability innovation.
Design and develop labels, tags, trims, packaging, and other physical branding elements.
Conduct trend and market research across fashion, music, and culture to inform product direction.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Directors, Senior Designers, Product Development, Production & Brand Management to maintain creative excellence and consistency from concept to delivery.
Present product concepts and design rationale clearly and confidently to internal teams.
Assist Director and Senior level team members with project execution and design tasks.
Bring Your VIBE
5 years of design experience in industrial design (objects & hard goods focus) ideally within music, fashion, or retail industries.
Must also be able to support the merchandising of collections across artwork, silhouettes, and other various product categories.
Portfolio showcasing product innovation, technical knowledge, and design versatility across physical goods and deck design.
Strong understanding of industrial design, 3d modeling, rendering, and specialty product design.
Expertise in 3D modeling software (SolidWorks, Rhino, Fusion 360, Blender, Cinema 4D, Keyshot, Blender, autoCAD, or other related software)
Expertise in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Proven ability to create visually compelling decks and presentations that communicate concept and narrative.
Comfortable working across multiple concurrent projects with meticulous attention to detail.
Confident, collaborative, and solutions-oriented under pressure.
Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, or related field.
Perks Playlist
Join an entrepreneurial, global organization where authenticity, boldness, creativity, connection, drive, and insight aren’t just values—they’re how we work every day. Here are some of the ways we support you along the way (and just a few of the benefits we offer):
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Including 100% coverage for out-patient in-network mental health services
Fertility coverage for eligible medical plan participants
Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year)
Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
401(k) with 100% immediate vesting on the first 5% of your contributions, plus an additional UMG contribution
A variety of ways to prioritize much-needed time away from work including:
Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees
3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees
2-weeks paid Winter Break
10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day)
Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day)
Generous paid parental leave for every type of parent
Famehouse, a division of UMG, is the preeminent leader in D2C solutions in music, defining & delivering the industry’s best-in-class service to connect artists with their fans. Established & headquartered in Philly, Famehouse powers D2C for UMG’s labels, artists, and Bravado, along with a select roster of 3rd party clients. Our success & culture is fueled by collaboration—both within FH and with our partners. We are passionate about the impact of D2C & merchandise for artists, providing a full-service solution to grow an artist’s owned business including strategy, creative, storefront merchandising, fulfillment, customer service, technology, and more.
How We LEAD
Famehouse is seeking a Specialty Designer with a passion for product innovation and design storytelling. This role bridges creative concepting with tangible execution — transforming ideas into thoughtful apparel, accessories, and specialty merchandise for the world’s most iconic music artists.
The ideal candidate is equally comfortable concepting new products product ideas as they are merchandising collections and curating presentations. They bring a multi-faceted approach to design development: drive creative ideas that are both inventive and viable, while presenting them with a fresh, forward-thinking perspective.
How You’ll CREATE
Execute Director and Senior level team members’ creative visions through apparel, accessory, and specialty merchandise design that elevate artist branding and resonate with fans.
Enhance and adapt existing graphics onto photoreal apparel silhouettes, accessories and specialty products to create cohesive and compelling assortments, with consideration for construction, materials, and finishing techniques.
Curate and design product lines and merchandising decks that visually communicate collection stories, product overviews, trend insights, and assortment strategies to artists, managers, label partners and retailers.
Partner with Product Development to ensure all designs are commercially viable, cost-effective, and scalable across channels (D2C, retail, tour, VIP).
Work with Director and Senior level team members, as well as Product Development, to ideate new silhouettes, treatments, trims, techniques, and product ideas informed by trend forecasting, sales data and artist branding.
Contribute to deck curation and storytelling for brand worlds, capabilities, and pitch materials.
Explore new materials, manufacturing methods, and packaging formats to push creative boundaries and sustainability innovation.
Design and develop labels, tags, trims, packaging, and other physical branding elements.
Conduct trend and market research across fashion, music, and culture to inform product direction.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Directors, Senior Designers, Product Development, Production & Brand Management to maintain creative excellence and consistency from concept to delivery.
Present product concepts and design rationale clearly and confidently to internal teams.
Assist Director and Senior level team members with project execution and design tasks.
Bring Your VIBE
5 years of design experience in industrial design (objects & hard goods focus) ideally within music, fashion, or retail industries.
Must also be able to support the merchandising of collections across artwork, silhouettes, and other various product categories.
Portfolio showcasing product innovation, technical knowledge, and design versatility across physical goods and deck design.
Strong understanding of industrial design, 3d modeling, rendering, and specialty product design.
Expertise in 3D modeling software (SolidWorks, Rhino, Fusion 360, Blender, Cinema 4D, Keyshot, Blender, autoCAD, or other related software)
Expertise in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Proven ability to create visually compelling decks and presentations that communicate concept and narrative.
Comfortable working across multiple concurrent projects with meticulous attention to detail.
Confident, collaborative, and solutions-oriented under pressure.
Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, or related field.
Perks Playlist
Join an entrepreneurial, global organization where authenticity, boldness, creativity, connection, drive, and insight aren’t just values—they’re how we work every day. Here are some of the ways we support you along the way (and just a few of the benefits we offer):
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Including 100% coverage for out-patient in-network mental health services
Fertility coverage for eligible medical plan participants
Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year)
Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
401(k) with 100% immediate vesting on the first 5% of your contributions, plus an additional UMG contribution
A variety of ways to prioritize much-needed time away from work including:
Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees
3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees
2-weeks paid Winter Break
10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day)
Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day)
Generous paid parental leave for every type of parent