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:
1. Trade fairs, cultural events, and sporting events, athlete insights
2. Trade publications, general interest press, trend services, fashion and sportswear magazines and websites
3. Store checks, market visits, and team travel as provided
4. 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:
5. Footwear and Apparel Color
6. Footwear Materials
7. Silhouettes
8. Graphics/Print Direction
9. 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:
10. Providing trend forecasting content relevant to our consumer and brand
11. Providing direction and assisting in developing materials with the Material Team
12. Working with Local and Global counterparts to provide category relative Color and Material direction when required
13. 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:
14. Providing Color and Material content and direction
15. Collaboration and critiquing
16. To understand technical details of the product
Builds top-line range strategy into their product range. This includes but is not limited to:
17. Support Senior Team Lead by owning holistic category overviews, rollouts, and merchandising strategy for the category
18. Supports communication content to Footwear, Apparel, and Graphics Teams to align strategy
19. 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:
20. Seasonal prep and research stated above
21. Creates product design presentations; both physical and digital
22. Exploratory process to reach final solution
23. Creates Color CADs, Material Maps, & Graphic Maps.
24. Considers the larger impact of creating merchandized range
25. Works closely with Development to assist in development process & costing; meet development timelines and calendar deadlines per seasonal milestone.
26. Travel to Asia for development trips
27. Assists in communicating inspiration and storytelling to Marketing
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
i.A.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
28. Computer Skills
29. Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop
30. Power Point/Key Note
31. Apple Mac Operating system
32. 3D not required, but beneficial
33. Understanding of brand history and current positioning
34. Understanding of marketplace (footwear/streetwear/urban) history, consumer, and current positioning
35. Has a strong understanding of color and material trends, application, and cycles
36. Ability to understand design concepts and think conceptually
37. Ability to create designs that meet category needs and commercial opportunities
38. Ability to design for new initiatives and products with a fresh, innovative perspective
39. Ability to operate in a fast pace, ever changing work environment
40. Works well in a team environment. This position requires employee to engage with many stakeholders, as well as manage various information and relationships
41. Ability and desire to push themselves, others, and the brand forward.
42. Ability to influence and collaborate with key business partners
43. 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
44. Four year college or university degree in industrial, graphics, apparel or footwear design
45. Practical experience in footwear design, fashion design or any design relevant environment
46. Thorough knowledge of art and design with clear understanding of visual design or any design related environment
47. Three years relevant work experience
48. Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for degree