Junior Designer (Own Brand Design)

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the Design Team and Trend and Development Coordinator to produce a master seasonal trend report for the business.
• With suport from Senior Designers Utilise the Trend report to assist in the production of Brand direction, Customer profile documents and Brand mood boards for your nominated brands.
• Provide input for the Brand Buyer to establish the design brief.
• Work with Product Development on new fabrics, trims, techniques and fits in line with the brand requirements to develop your knowledge.
• Develop your understanding of the critical path timelines for the Department and Brands.
• Assist in Designing and presenting detailed line art/CAD’s of ranges to the nominated Buyer, in line with the design brief and critical path.
• Maintain range sheets and detailed CAD’s ensuring all amendments are up to date.
• With support form Senior Designers create clear, detailed functional and technical CAD’s as appropriate and upload onto the PLM creating the Tech Pack. Ensure any amendments are maintained live on the PLM system.
• Fully utilise pantones to ensure clear colour communication throughout the business.
• Work with the Product Developer to enable factories to produce accurate prototypes and costings, and to develop your knowledge.
• Assist Product Developer with the preparation of documents for the ‘Tech and Sourcing’ meeting ahead of Tech packs being issued to factories.
• Assist the Product Developer with the fit and finish of prototype samples.
• Monitor sales information on a weekly basis.
• Continually be aware of market trends both internally (within JD Group) and externally (competition)
• Visit JD Stores on a regular basis.
• Visit Trade Shows and retail both to gain an overview of future trends.
• Fully utilise trend prediction agencies such as WGSN.
• Be aware of new factories and their techniques (i.e. new washes, print or embroidery techniques)
• Visit factories where appropriate to develop your knowledge of manufacturing techniques in partnership with the Development Team
• Constantly update visual aids for the Buyer, Management , Marketing , Merchandising and Retail to ensure everyone is aware of current ranges and/or monthly product drops.
• Assist Senior Designers when providing Marketing with styling suggestions for any marketing/advertising material, by presenting tear sheets /mood boards.

Skills/Experience/Knowledge Needed:

• Strong working knowledge of Adobe suite is essential.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills are essential.
• Design experience with a brand or importer is an advantage.
• Previous experience within a similar role is advantageous.
• Relevant degree/qualification with Design would be advantagous.
• Knowledge of PLM systems is an advantage, however full training is available.