Assistant Designer

Supports all senior Design staff. Answers to Creative Director (CD) and Art Director (AD) and is supervised by the Lead Designer (LD) of their Design Team. The Assistant Designer position is entry-level into the Art Department and works on projects as assigned by senior Design staff to support the Art Department workflow and creating designs with custom or proprietary projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follow all art direction and critique from the CD/AD, with guidance from the LD, completing all projects in a timely manner adhering to assigned deadlines, department processes, and procedures.
• Contribute creative input and conceptual development following the overall design direction from the AD/LD on various programs and accounts to create new, unique designs that support their target market, ensuring quality and consistency as it related to seasonal trend inspiration.
• Expand upon existing artwork provided by AD/LD to build-out original production-ready designs to apply to various products and templates as assigned.
• Critical attention to detail and specifications in the design and development of prints and products until ready for production while ensuring quality and consistency as it related to each item or collection.
• Responsible for all aspects of a product, including digital files, embellishment specifications, and tracking product to final sample stage.
• Follow product to completion with a strong sense of urgency by reviewing samples and updating documents with accurate and detailed information, and following up with LD regarding revisions and product comments.
• Make clean, neat, product mock-ups with the highest quality standard possible.
• Uphold the highest standard of organization in personal workspace and in digital workspace/files.
• Daily check-ins, providing updates on progress, approval status and alerting of any foreseeable risks and manages up where necessary.
• Follow Art Department protocol and guidelines set forth by the CD.
• Contribute positively to the Design Team dynamic by performing all tasks with a willing attitude, a strong sense of urgency, and showing dedication to the company by creatively designing into the brand aesthetic.
• The goal of the Assistant Designer should be to support the design staff and should be considered as a training program for ascending to the position of Designer.
• Other tasks as needed or assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• BFA, BA or Associates Degree in Design, Illustration, Fine Arts (or related field) or equivalent work experience
• 3-5 years of experience working with design products
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop)
• Experience creating professional mock-ups preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge of MAC Operating Systems and Adobe Creative Suite
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Flexibility in artistic style – able to create art from scratch with many different looks using traditional and digital techniques
• Strong knowledge and understanding of pattern repeats, composition and engineered layouts
• Textile Design, Packaging Design and 3D experience a plus, but not required
• Typography experience a plus
• Ability to take constructive criticism well
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team
• Solid understanding of the marketplace and competitive set
• Proactively researches and shops the competitive market with an eye for identifying trend, color and whitespace
• Proven track record of translating trend direction into successful designs, by merchandising cohesive collections, and delivering results
• Capability to think critically and solve problems quickly and efficiently
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously while paying close attention to detail
• Excellent organizational, analytical, written and verbal communication
• Team player with a positive attitude and eagerness to learn and grow

• Daily on-site presence

• Competitive compensation
• Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
• Benefits plan including medical, dental and vision
• Retirement and profit-sharing