Senior Designer Color

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION- To design and lead others in designing industry leading executions of Footwear and/or Apparel through color, material, and construction.- KEY RESPONSIBILITIES- Continuously aware and guides team on 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
- Is a stakeholder in driving seasonal and long-term design direction and strategy for their category within the following topics
- Footwear and Apparel Color
- Footwear Materials
- Footwear and Apparel Silhouettes
- Graphics/Print Direction
- Creating 3D concept representation, 3D assets, digital product information for an accurate development and decision-making process
- Is a stakeholder in curating 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
- Leads as a Color and Trend conduit to Marketing, Product Managers, Designers and in between Key Account and Inline
- Acts as a brand ambassador between all categories looking for opportunities to connect direction, product, and people
- Assisting in creating color design direction presentations
- 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
- Works closely with members of the categories design team. This includes but is not limited to:
- Providing Color and Material content and direction
- Collaboration and critiquing
- Sets a leading example within the team and mentors
- Transfers prior experiences and knowledge to those around them
- Viewed within the team as a Color and Material expert and senior
- Leads top-line range strategy in their categories. This includes but is not limited to:
- Leads their team in creating holistic category overviews, rollouts, and merchandising strategy for the category
- Communicate content to Footwear, Apparel, and Graphics Teams to align strategy
- 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 Concept To Consumer. This is a collaborative effort across disciplines & functions together.
- Manages in designing Footwear Color and Material executions for Inline and 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.
- Guides their team in creating a quality and merchandisable range by having a detail to top-line view of all products
- 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 and Concept To Consumer
- Has experienced knowledge and a higher understanding of product. From color, material, construction, to production.- KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES- Ability and desire to manage others, which includes but is not limited to:

- Influencing and leading a team
- Productive critiquing and mentoring
- Creating more efficient, creative, and positive working environment
- A strong working knowledge of footwear construction and production
- A detailed understanding of the creation process
- A strong knowledge of material suppliers, material production, and technical material feasibilities
- Computer Skills
- Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop
- Power Point/Key Note
- Apple Mac Operating system
- Understanding of brand history and current positioning
- Understanding of marketplace (Footwear/streetwear/urban) history, consumer, and current positioning
- 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
- Abili