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About the Role

As a Designer, you'll play a key role in bringing innovative footwear concepts to life, translating brand vision into products that are commercially relevant, trend-informed, and true to the brand aesthetic. You will partner closely with cross-functional teams to create compelling products that resonate with consumers and drive business growth.

Responsibilities

• Apply market research, trend insights, seasonal direction, and business objectives to develop innovative and commercially relevant product concepts.
• Create original footwear designs that align with brand aesthetic and customer expectations.
• Develop illustrations, digital renderings, technical drawings, and CADs using Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Present new concepts, design direction, materials, and product ideas to stakeholders with clarity and confidence.
• Partner with the Design Director to determine line coloration, material selection, and seasonal design storytelling.
• Develop and manage design specifications, technical packages (tech packs), and product documentation.
• Communicate with overseas development partners, including leather and fabric teams, to support product execution.
• Review prototypes and samples, providing timely updates and revisions to tech packs based on agreed-upon changes.
• Ensure all designs adhere to brand standards, digital template guidelines, and established product calendars.
• Develop products that align with target pricing, customer expectations, and market positioning.
• Collaborate closely with design, development, and production partners to ensure design intent is consistently reflected throughout the product creation process.
• Support peers and sales teams to help ensure seasonal initiatives and product launches run smoothly.
• Build strong working relationships across teams, contributing to a collaborative and solution-oriented environment.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, balancing creativity, quality, and deadlines.
• Proactively anticipate project needs and prioritize work effectively to achieve key milestones and critical delivery dates.
• Prepare and deliver presentations that clearly communicate design vision, creative rationale, and product direction.
• Coach, mentor, and support one or two Assistant Designers when applicable, encouraging growth, development, and team success.
• Travel internationally as needed.
• Attend trade shows, industry events, and other business-related meetings as required.

Requirements

• Ability to leverage market research, trend forecasting, consumer insights, and industry knowledge to contribute to seasonal design direction and product development.
• Strong understanding of foundational design principles and footwear construction.
• Ability to sketch, create CADs, and translate concepts into commercially viable products.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and global partners.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, team-oriented approach.
• Professional and customer-focused mindset with strong relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational, time management, prioritization, and project management skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Microsoft Office Suite

Location

• Remote
• Hybrid

Work Type

• Hybrid
• Remote

Experience Level

• 5+ years of related footwear design experience
• Experience creating technical drawings, tech packs, CADs, and merchandising boards

Education Level

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience, in Footwear Design, Fashion Design, or Industrial Design

Benefits

• Free virtual health care
• Robust family/fertility benefits
• 401(k) w/ match
• 30% off at DSW & DSW.com
• Discounts across family of brands
• Training programs
• Professional development
• Education assistance

About the Company

• Designer Brands is the parent company of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Rubino, operating nearly 675 stores across North America and a billion-dollar digital commerce business.
• We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands.
• We have expertise in design, production, and sourcing, creating on-trend footwear and accessories through a robust omni-channel infrastructure and national wholesale distribution.
• We are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity.
• Our core values are “We Love What We Do,” “We Own What We Do,” “We Do What’s Right,” and “We Belong.”