What are the responsibilities and job description for the Junior Designer and Production Assistant position at Rome Pays Off?
Reports to: Design Director
About the Role
We are a NYC-based small business producing a diverse range of finished goods, including apparel, accessories, stationery, and home ware. We are looking for a highly organized, technically skilled Junior Designer to be the “engine room” of our creative department. This role is focused on high-precision execution and digital systems. You will be responsible for translating design concepts into flawless, production-ready technical specs, while simultaneously managing the visual architecture of our Shopify storefront. You must have experience building tech packs for apparel.
Key Responsibilities
1. Technical Design & Production (70%)
- Precision Technical Flats: Create high-detail vector flats in Adobe Illustrator (apparel, hard goods, and accessories) including stitch details, hardware callouts, and construction notes.
- Tech Pack Construction: Build comprehensive Bill of Materials (BOM) and spec sheets that allow factories to execute with zero ambiguity.
- Systems & Hygiene: Act as the gatekeeper of the digital server. Maintain a rigorous filing system where every master .ai and .psd file is non-destructively layered, logically named, and instantly searchable.
- Print Production: Prepare 100% “press-ready” files for packaging, hangtags, and inserts (expertly managing bleeds, die lines, and color separations).
- Sample Review: Assist the team in auditing physical samples against technical drawings to ensure construction accuracy.
- Factory communication: Communicate with our overseas manufacturers to answer questions during the sampling and pre production process.
2. Graphic Design and Digital Sales & Marketing Assets (20%)
- Design product concepts under the direction of the Design Director and the guidelines for each client and customer.
- Create print-ready files for Stationery, Packaging (hangtags, mailers, product inserts), Catalogs (print and digital), and designing for Trade Shows.
- Ensure all designs align with the Design Director’s brand vision and aesthetic.
- Design digital assets for Web & Social (Shopify banners, email newsletters, Instagram stories).
- Shopify Backend Administration: Lead the upload process for new products, managing metadata, tagging, and collection organization.
- Web Asset Execution: Design and export high-fidelity web banners, email graphics, and social content optimized for site speed and visual impact.
- Image Processing: Handle batch processing of product photography, ensuring consistent cropping, color correction, and SEO-friendly naming conventions.
3. Team Support (10%)
- Maintain real-time accuracy of project trackers for all assigned SKUs; proactively identifying potential 'red flag' delays and communicating roadblocks to the Design Director and Sales teams to ensure timely solutions.
- Assist the Design Director with trend research and mood boards.
- Organize the physical and digital asset libraries.
- Working with the Sales team to align on client timeline, feedback, and approvals.
- Reviewing Coordinator and freelancer work.
Qualifications:
- Previous experience in fashion production and/or sales environment.
- Proficiency in MS Excel, Google Workspace, advanced computer skills.
- Excellent communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills.
- Expert knowledge in Adobe Creative Suite
- Understanding of social media platforms ideal.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Experience with Shopify and Amazon Selling platforms preferred.
- Strong interest and passion in fashion and art industries.
- Strong interest in business.