There are two roles in the team, one will have an additional strong focus on Innovation & Sustainability.
Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:
To research and create Color & Materials and Finish-relevant concepts, to design industry leading color directions inclusive of palettes and color application concepts for footwear and apparel which inform and support the seasonal brand color strategy.
Key Responsibilities:
Create and visualize ideas for color concepts and application for apparel and footwear. Stay continuously tuned to Color, Finish and Materials trends with a high degree of expertise and storytelling.
- Seasonal Prep and research: Design and develop and be a part of shaping the creative vision and direction for the seasonal Color palette (based on cultural and trend insights).
- Create conceptual Color and Finish application concepts in context to the seasonal creative direction.
- Support on implementing the creative vision seasonally.
- Self-Manage own creative process and execute towards given design themes for the given season.
- Ensure efficient process and communication flow between immediate design team and cross functional partners.
- Use digital (e.g. 3D, photoshop, illustrator) tools to visualize concepts as well as create physical samples with a variety of materials and mediums.
- Support the process of physical creation of technical color standards, understanding the chemical process and make-up of color standards including achievability testing in collaboration with the Color Management team
- Verbally present color concept ideas and details with clarity and credibility
- Create design presentations; physical and digital
- Create Color CADS, Renderings, Material and Graphic maps as required
Key Relationships:
Works closely with the members of the Color Creative Direction team.
This includes but is not limited to:
- Providing color content and direction
- Collaboration and critiquing
- To understand technical details of the product
Cross-functional collaborations:
- Color, Materials and Graphics label leads and Color, Materials and Graphics partners in Design teams in vertical Business categories like BU Training, Running, Originals etc.
- Design and business partners in horizontal functions like Brand Expression, Innovation teams and Advanced Creation
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Substantial knowledge and experience in CMF, Footwear, Apparel or Accessories design.
- Impeccable ability to locate and identify trends in design and culture with a strong understanding of Color and Product trends relevant to the brand and its consumers.
- Understanding of brand history, current positioning and marketplace (Apparel, Footwear, streetwear, fashion, sport)
- Experienced and knowledgeable in a higher understanding of product. From color, material, construction to production.
- Strong presentation and communication skills
- High level of creativity with ability to understand design concepts and strong conceptual thinker with ability to bring ideals to life physically and digitally
- High taste level and visual aesthetic with an ability to create future visionary concepts
- Ability to design for new initiatives and products with a fresh innovative perspective
- Ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate with key business partners
- Works well in a team environment, this position requires employee to engage and collaborate with many stakeholders as well as manage various information and relationships
- Good to have project management experience
- Strong knowledge and use of Macintosh computer design software/systems (Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Knowledge of 3D software programs for illustration and ideation
- Fluent in English (spoken and written)
- Ability to travel
Desired Education and Experience:
- Associates degree or bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a college or university with Art, Fashion, Textile or Product Design focus
- 2 years of practical experience in design environment (Footwear/Apparel/Accessories - or industrial design, fashion design or similar design-related areas)
- Thorough knowledge of art and design with clear understanding of visual design or design related discipline and conceptual storytelling
- Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for degree.