PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION
To design industry leading executions of Footwear and/or Apparel through color, material, and construction.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Continuously aware of information needed to design a consumer and brand relevant collection. Should include all possible sources to gain this information:
- Trade fairs, cultural events, and sporting events, athlete insights
- Trade publications, general interest press, trend services, fashion and sportswear magazines and websites
- Store checks, market visits, and team travel as provided
- Relevant forecast and sell-through numbers from our Marketing counterparts
Assists in seasonal and long-term design direction for their category within the following topics:
- Footwear and Apparel Color
- Footwear Materials
- Silhouettes
- Graphics/Print Direction
- Creating 3D concept representation, 3D assets, digital product information for an accurate development and decision-making process
Contributes to aforementioned design direction by, but not limited to:
- Providing trend forecasting content relevant to our consumer and brand
- Providing direction and assisting in developing materials with the Material Team
- Working with Local and Global counterparts to provide category relative Color and Material direction when required
- Supports M3 Senior Team Lead to build content for collaborative stakeholders among Marketing, Product Managers, Designers and between Key Account and Inline
Works closely with members of the category’s design team. This includes but is not limited to:
- Providing Color and Material content and direction
- Collaboration and critiquing
- To understand technical details of the product
Builds top-line range strategy into their product range. This includes but is not limited to:
- Support Senior Team Lead by owning holistic category overviews, rollouts, and merchandising strategy for the category
- Supports communication content to Footwear, Apparel, and Graphics Teams to align strategy
- Support and inform horizontal brand moments and category moments by leading products, Color and Material narratives/executions, and tiered rollout plans in partnership with Design, Marketing, and CTC. This is a collaborative effort across disciplines & functions together.
PRODUCT EXECUTION
Design Footwear Color and Material executions for Inline and/or Key Account ranges with input from Design, Marketing, and Development. This includes but is not limited to:
- Seasonal prep and research stated above
- Creates product design presentations; both physical and digital
- Exploratory process to reach final solution
- Creates Color CADs, Material Maps ,& Graphic Maps.
- Considers the larger impact of creating merchandized range
- Works closely with Development to assist in development process & costing; meet development timelines and calendar deadlines per seasonal milestone.
- Travel to Asia for development trips
- Assists in communicating inspiration and storytelling to Marketing
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Computer Skills
- Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop
- Power Point/Key Note
- Apple Mac Operating system
- 3D not required, but beneficial
- Understanding of brand history and current positioning
- Understanding of marketplace (footwear/streetwear/urban) history, consumer, and current positioning
- Has a strong understanding of color and material trends, application, and cycles
- Ability to understand design concepts and think conceptually
- Ability to create designs that meet category needs and commercial opportunities
- Ability to design for new initiatives and products with a fresh, innovative perspective
- Ability to operate in a fast pace, ever changing work environment
- Works well in a team environment. This position requires employee to engage with many stakeholders, as well as manage various information and relationships
- Ability and desire to push themselves, others, and the brand forward.
- Ability to influence and collaborate with key business partners
- Strong 3D skills and knowledge of virtual tools are required
APP tools: Clo3D, Browzwear, VStitcher or similar 3D fashion design tools
FTW tools: Rhino, Modo, ICAD Pro, or similar 3D design tools
REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Four year college or university deg