Product Designer Jobs

Position Summary

Product Designer is a full-time position specifically responsible for all aspects of the product design process from conception, to drawings, to prototypes, to final samples. Rooted in the brand history, the designer is responsible for evolving the products to surprise and delight existing customers, while keeping the aesthetic relevant to today’s marketplace. The designer will confidently mix colors, patterns, and textures, sometimes bordering on the preposterous, to both maintain and refresh the brand identity in a commercial field otherwise awash with sameness.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities: (Additional duties may be assigned)

Responsibilities Include The Following

Work as an integral member of the design team, as it relates to the whole company collection.

• Conceptualize and design new products based upon inspirations provided through creative briefs, individual research and discussions with creative director and design team
• Collaborate with the other designers, members of production and quality control for product approval
• Have an interest in the way people choose and use products, taking time to research classifications to understand customer’s preferences
• Interface with design, production, and vendors to maintain quality and open lines of communication
• Create artwork to support the design cycle each season and as needed
• Manage workload and ensure that personal work areas are organized, efficient and tidy
• Maintain an awareness of market trends and materials to support innovative and unique design initiatives appropriate to the brand
• Create manufacturing development packets in collaboration with Product Managers and product instructionals for each new product with an eye to specificity and detail
• Understand different materials and production processes, and continue to build on that knowledge
• Communicate with vendors through telephone and emails, if needed
• Create designs digitally, create designs by hand, when necessary, incorporate company signature patterns and textures, when necessary, create or complete prototype samples, and construct in-house prototypes as needed

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Concisely and courteously offer critiques for products and samples in a timely manner
• Travel on occasion, if needed, to manufacturing resources to train or oversee designs in progress
• Follow the deadlines as planned in the Design & Development Cadence Calendar and manage workflow accordingly? Order samples or working models when necessary

Education And Experience

• Three to five years previous design experience required
• B.F.A. or B.A. in Fine Arts or Design recommended, but not required, based on experience
• Apparel, fashion, and home furnishings product designers especially invited to apply

Qualifications Needed

• Ability to communicate with overseas vendors with precision and grace
• Must be an independent self-starter
• The ability to communicate design ideas clearly – translating visual ideas verbally and in writing
• Must be able to follow design direction
• The ability to sketch
• High quality standards
• Must be able to work successfully in a team environment, both collaborating as a Design Team at key moments throughout the process and with Product Development and Creative Director
• The ability to paint artistically
• The ability to identify areas of need to improve processes
• The ability to design into an established brand aesthetic, while finding new ways to interpret and evolve it
• The ability to identify market trends
• The ability to multi-task, pro-actively trouble shoot, and problem solve quickly
• Organizational skills, accuracy, attention to detail required
• A playful and wholesome imagination and a working knowledge of a broad range of material
• Adobe Creative Suite required and 3-d experience preferred (AutoCad 3D, SketchUp)
• A strong understanding of key design concepts: color, pattern mixing, and historical design preferred
• Must maintain a positive attitude under pressure
• Must be a creative individual

Training Required

Onboarding will be needed to become familiar with the product lines, beyond the website and to build a familiarity with branding, design aesthetic and DNA.

Location: Auburn, NY

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and changing environment with a focus on meeting deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to read and interpret paperwork.
• Maintain consistent, dependable attendance

Key Performance Indicators

• Creative brand interpretation within meaningful design constraints
• Product Sales
• Teamwork / collaboration
• Time management/ meeting deadlines