Senior Footwear Color Designer - Creative Direction (m/f/d)

Job content

Purpose & Overall Relevance For The Organization

To identify Color & Materials relevant trends, to design an­d lead others to create industry leading color directions inclusive of palettes and color application concepts for footwear products which inform and support the seasonal brand color strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Create and visualize ideas for color concepts and application with an emphasis on Footwear design. Stay continuously tuned to Color and Materials trends with a high degree of expertise and storytelling.

• Seasonal preparation and research: Design and develop and be part of shaping the creative vision and direction for the seasonal Color palette (based on cultural and trend insights).
• Create Color application concepts in context to the seasonal creative direction.
• Implement the creative vision of a multitude of color concepts with a focus on Footwear Color application and expression.
• Self-manage creative process, lead, and mentor project members as a key stakeholder, as required and execute towards design themes for the season.
• Ensure efficient process and communication flow between design team and cross functional partners.
• Use digital (3D, photoshop, illustrator) tools to visualize concepts, create physical samples with a variety of materials and mediums. For example, but not limited to, working with Footwear materials team to create cohesive color + materials design concepts.
• Support the process of physical creation of technical color standards, understanding the chemical process and make-up of color standards including achievability testing
• Verbally present product ideas and details with clarity
• 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 i.e., BU Training, Running, Originals etc.
• Design and business partners in horizontal functions, i.e., Brand Expression, Innovation teams and Merchandising
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge and experience in footwear design/industrial product with experience in footwear construction and production.
• Leadership experience e.g., working with freelancers or direct reports
• Ability to 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 (Footwear, Apparel, streetwear, fashion, sport)
• Experienced and knowledgeable in an understanding of product. From color, material, construction to production.
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Project management experience would be desirable but not essential.
• High level of creativity with ability to understand design concepts and think conceptually
• Ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate with key business partners
• Ability to design for new initiatives and products with a fresh, innovative perspective
• Works well in a team environment. This position requires employee to engage with many stakeholders, as well as manage various information and relationships
• Strong knowledge and use of Macintosh computer design software/systems (Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Knowledge of 3D software programs for illustration
• Fluent in English (spoken and written)
• Ability to travel
  

Requisite Education And Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• Associates degree or bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a college or university with Art, Fashion or Product Design focus
• 5 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
• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for degree.