Design Assistant

This is a great opportunity for a Design Graduate to join a leading lifestyle Brand and learn the design process from the initial concept to store.

The Design Assistant role supports the Design Team in creating, developing and executing premium quality products on time, ensuring maximised profit margins, in line with agreed strategy for each product segment. The Design Assistant supports the Design Team during the design process and in delivering compelling, consumer led products and ranges. Working to exceed the quality expectations of the Brand's customer is the key goal of your role

Assist the Design Team in the design process from concept to completion ensuring the products are consistent with market trends, brand values and aesthetics and business strategy

Support on researching and preparing the seasonal creative and colour direction, in line with consumer expectations and seasonal business plan

Assist in preparing seasonal colour palettes and visual mood boards with direction from the Design Manager and aligned with seasonal themes and inspiration

Provide accurate and detailed CAD drawings and specifications so prototypes and BOMs can be created on time

Maintain tech packs ensuring that design CADs are updated and align with accurate information in the BOM and latest prototype sample

Participate and assist in fit meetings and design reviews

Support the Design team on engineering products that meet product target costs, ensuing that more creative and price conscious solutions are found, while maintaining product aesthetics and quality

Develop product awareness, looking to increase own knowledge base whilst following new developments and innovations within the industry and other relevant areas

Think innovatively at all stages of the creative, design and development process: research on a regular basis to be at the forefront of trends and shifts in the textile & apparel industry

Continuously research relevant marketplaces, including our competitors for inspirations and opportunities in product, fabric, trims, colour, technologies and sustainable, low-impact developments

Present back and share any information / innovation research to the rest of the Design and Product teams

General Assistance and Administrative Work:

Assist the Design Team in any organizational and administrative tasks, such as but not limited to, mood and colour boards set up, visual overview templates, colour updates, CAD and technical sketch updates and sample organization

Support the Design Team on researching and preparing concepts, design inspiration and trends, and presentations in a clear, concise and professional manner at all stages

Support in research and analysis of upcoming market trends and competitive products and ranges

Support the Design Team in preparation for product presentations, meetings and range reviews

Ensure at all times that visual overviews, including style and colour information, are clearly and accurately updated and communicated to the wider team

Ensure assigned work is delivered according to the seasonal calendar and highlight any instances where this is at risk, and develop understanding of the impact of the critical path on other areas of business

Continue to build knowledge of the process of design and development through to the final product approval stage

Continually build knowledge and understanding of garment constructions and appropriate use within a design

Continually build knowledge and understanding of garment fit, sizing and pattern making

Continually and actively increase knowledge, awareness and understanding of the client’s consumer, and the product end use and the activities and environments in which it will be used

Perform other related duties and projects as assigned by Design Manager

Ability and willingness to travel within UK, Europe and Asia if required

Technical Skills & Qualifications required

Educated to degree level or similar in Apparel or Product Design

Highly competent with Adobe Creative Suite and skilled with Microsoft Office and PowerPoint

Understand and knowledge of Excel a benefit