Associate Footwear Designer

Role Title:

Associate Footwear Designer

Location:

Needham, MA

Job Advert Description

Job Summary:

The Associate Designer has 4+ years of experience in footwear design or a related field.  An enthusiastic learner, the Associate Designer is willing to try new things and take on new challenges. They will work with the Color, Trend, Materials Designer to research competitive brands, marketplace shifts and runway trends.  The Associate Designer will have design projects of their own, commensurate with their creative ability, passion and technical skill level.  The opportunity for growth is available as the Associate Designer proves their ability to: work both collaboratively and independently; follow a brief and create product concepts across a range of categories; understand multiple footwear constructions; understand fit and proportion; design for the target consumer in alignment with Clarks brand ID.

What You'll Do:

• Shops the market throughout the season and utilizes resources like WGSN, Peclers and Social Media to stay on top of marketplace trends.
• Collaborates with Color, Trend, Materials Designer to identify materials and colors for the season.
• Designs and develops 2-3 new constructions per season from sketch to last development to upper and outsole prototype working with Product Line Management, Engineering and Materials Teams to drive innovation and meet commercial requirements of the brief.
• Working with existing constructions, creates new upper design concepts to reimagine or reinvent as required to meet strategic goals.
• Creates product concept boards to visually communicate design solutions and seasonal direction.
• Helps plan and carry out consumer focus groups to gain understanding of consumer preferences.
• Participates in team meetings, design reviews and presentations.
• Meet all deliverable and timeline requirements according to business strategy and seasonal calendar.
• Domestic and international travel for market research and new construction development.

What You'll Bring With You:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial/Fashion Design or equivalent
• 4+ years of work experience in footwear design
• Proven creative ability demonstrated through portfolio of work projects
• Proficient ability to sketch with accurate scale and proportion
• Proficient 2D CAD rendering skills
• Proficient presentation and storytelling skills
• Eager to learn about footwear constructions, costing and fit
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office including Illustrator, Photoshop and Powerpoint
• Demonstrates drive, passion, enthusiasm
• Receptive to constructive feedback and willingness to learn
• High energy, takes initiative
• Meticulous and detail-oriented, takes pride in doing quality work
• Proficient organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at once
• Proficient time management skills: working to a deadline, working independently
• Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative team player
• Eager to grow and take on new responsibilities
• Happy to embrace change and new challenges as marketplace shifts and consumer needs evolve
• 3D CAD proficiency a plus
• Technical drawing skills a plus

 

About Clarks

Clarks, based in Somerset, England, we.ve been at the forefront of innovative shoemaking since its foundation in 1825, when brothers James and Cyrus Clark made a slipper from sheepskin off-cuts. At the time it was ground-breaking; a combination of invention and craftsmanship that’s remained at the heart of what the brand does now. In our archive of more than 22,000 pairs are shoes that have sparked revolutions and defined generations.

From the original Desert Boot (first designed by Nathan Clark and launched in 1950) to the iconic Wallabee, each design has an instantly recognisable signature—a unique combination of craftsmanship and innovation that make it unmistakably ours. We’re a global business operating retail, wholesale, franchise and online channels in over 100 markets worldwide supported by nearly 10,000 employees across the world.

We love hearing from great people

Visit us at clarksjobs.com, follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook. Just look for @JobsatClarks

Clarks International believes that the principle of equality of opportunity is fundamental to the company's operations. Our long held aim is to provide just and fair treatment for all employees. We will not discriminate on the grounds of sex, age, disability, marital status, colour, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or gender reassignment.

 

 

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