What are the responsibilities and job description for the Industrial Designer position at Insight 2 Design?
Industrial Designer – Softgoods & Outdoor Gear
Insight 2 Design – Core Equipment | Greater Kansas City Area | Full-Time
Great gear starts with thoughtful design, solving practical problems, and making every detail count. Insight 2 Design designs, develops, and markets outdoor products for major brands and retailers. We’re looking for an Industrial Designer with a focus on softgoods to join our team and help create functional, distinctive products that make time outdoors more enjoyable.
You’ll work alongside fellow designers and product managers, contributing from early concept exploration through product development. Your primary focus will include tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, camping furniture, and soft coolers, with opportunities to contribute across our broader outdoor gear portfolio.
What You’ll Do
- Develop product concepts through sketching, digital illustration, renderings, and technical drawings.
- Research consumer needs, outdoor activities, market trends, materials, and construction methods to identify design opportunities.
- Develop color, material, and finish (CMF) directions that support brand identity and create cohesive product collections.
- Collaborate with designers, product managers, and factory partners to balance aesthetics, usability, performance, cost, and manufacturability.
- Review prototypes and samples, communicate revisions, and help refine products through development.
- Present the thinking behind your designs, incorporate feedback, and manage priorities across multiple projects.
Essential Skills & Qualifications
- 0–6 years of relevant experience; recent graduates with strong portfolios are encouraged to apply.
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design or equivalent education and experience.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating creative problem-solving, aesthetic judgment, and thoughtful product development.
- Foundation in softgoods design, including materials, construction, patternmaking, and CMF.
- Ability to explore a range of ideas and communicate them clearly through sketches, renderings, and digital tools.
- Understanding of design trends, color theory, proportion, and detail.
- Experience or focus in creating original repeating print pattern, pattern illustration, and character illustration.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to explain design decisions and respond constructively to feedback.
- Initiative, curiosity, and organizational skills to move multiple projects forward.
Desired Skills & Experience
- Experience designing outdoor gear or other durable consumer products.
- Experience creating 2D CAD drawings, technical specifications, or softgoods development packages.
- Familiarity with SolidWorks or similar 3D modeling software.
- Basic rendering skills in KeyShot or similar software.
- Experience evaluating prototypes, working with manufacturers, or supporting product testing.
- Interest in the outdoors and understanding how people use their gear.
Why Insight 2 Design?
We’re a motivated, hands-on team that enjoys solving problems and seeing our ideas become real products. You’ll work closely with designers and product managers, contribute across a diverse range of outdoor categories, and help create gear that reaches consumers through major brands and retailers.
We value thoughtful design, open collaboration, attention to detail, and people who take ownership of their work.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Performance-based bonus
- Company contribution to 401(k)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off and holidays
- Opportunities to try and test new gear
- A collaborative, creative, and fun work environment
To Apply
Send your resume and portfolio to jobs@insight2design.com. Portfolios may be submitted as a link or PDF under 10MB.
Your portfolio should show both finished designs and the process behind them, including concept exploration, problem-solving, and development. Please include examples of relevant print pattern and illustration work alongside your product design projects.