Assistant Designer, Girl

The Gap•Folsom, CA

11d

About The Position

At Athleta, our mission is to ignite a community of women and girls who empower each other to inspire confidence, strength, and belonging. We're looking for those who continually push themselves to be their best while celebrating inclusivity, diversity, sustainability, and innovation. We concept and create solves with the customer at our core. We work as a team and recognize the value of being a part of something bigger. What You'll Do As an Assistant Designer, you will contribute to four seasonal collections per year. You will report into the Senior Designer, Girl; work closely with the broader Design team; and partner with cross functional team members who collectively are responsible for creating best-in-class innovative product rooted in northern California style, sustainability, premium quality, and performance-ready fit. Research global markets to identify new trends, silhouettes, fabrics, techniques, craft, collaborations, sport, and wellness; filtered for Girl’s activewear and performance lifestyle. Support Designer/Lead in initiating designs beginning with thorough research to communicate seasonal trend and inspiration. Support Designer/Lead in balancing fashion and trend within the line plan - drive core category evolution and development of emerging businesses opportunities. Assist in design innovation and high-level brand strategy exploration; research and create mock-up briefs in collaboration with Designer/Lead. Support partnership with Surface Designer in driving holistic expression of graphic, prints, and dye effects within seasonal collections. Ownership in building all seasonal tools (using programs such as Illustrator, Clo, and Miro) and updating throughout each seasonal gate. Sketch in 2D with Illustrator software; 3D design ability a plus. Leverage various mediums including advancing technology to present and advocate for design ideas to internal leadership and cross-functional partners. Cultivate strong cross-functional relationships with Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, and Marketing to ensure a seamless product lifecycle with consistent storytelling from concept through store/site experience. Own tech pack creation and BOM componentry; communicate vision behind fit intent and design to Product Development and Technical Design. Partner together with Product Development and Technical Design to ensure product execution, elevated construction, craft techniques, and considered design language that solves problems for core customer. Pre-fit prototypes (ensuring fit intent, styling, constructions); participate in regular fittings (3D and physical); own sketch and design package updates post-fit.

Requirements

Dynamic, team-oriented attitude; positive energy with an ability to take and solicit feedback
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, being able to juggle multiple seasons and development deadlines at one time
Curiosity to explore new ideas, ask effective questions
Collaborative and creative problem solver; understands how to drive value and innovation while protecting margin targets and design intent
Curiosity and interest in youth generations and the sociocultural trends that motivate and engage them.
Strong sense of style and color with a considered aesthetic with an eye toward detail, with an understanding of how to approach through a youthful lens.
Thorough knowledge of silhouette, fit, fabrication, and construction
Proficiency in Illustrator and Photoshop with an understanding of PLM; 3D design software knowledge a plus!
Confident presentation skills, capable of influencing an audience
Well-crafted communication and organizational skills, inclusive of tracking development deadlines

Responsibilities

Contribute to four seasonal collections per year.
Research global markets to identify new trends, silhouettes, fabrics, techniques, craft, collaborations, sport, and wellness; filtered for Girl’s activewear and performance lifestyle.
Support Designer/Lead in initiating designs beginning with thorough research to communicate seasonal trend and inspiration.
Support Designer/Lead in balancing fashion and trend within the line plan - drive core category evolution and development of emerging businesses opportunities.
Assist in design innovation and high-level brand strategy exploration; research and create mock-up briefs in collaboration with Designer/Lead.
Support partnership with Surface Designer in driving holistic expression of graphic, prints, and dye effects within seasonal collections.
Ownership in building all seasonal tools (using programs such as Illustrator, Clo, and Miro) and updating throughout each seasonal gate.
Sketch in 2D with Illustrator software; 3D design ability a plus.
Leverage various mediums including advancing technology to present and advocate for design ideas to internal leadership and cross-functional partners.
Cultivate strong cross-functional relationships with Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, and Marketing to ensure a seamless product lifecycle with consistent storytelling from concept through store/site experience.
Own tech pack creation and BOM componentry; communicate vision behind fit intent and design to Product Development and Technical Design.
Partner together with Product Development and Technical Design to ensure product execution, elevated construction, craft techniques, and considered design language that solves problems for core customer.
Pre-fit prototypes (ensuring fit intent, styling, constructions); participate in regular fittings (3D and physical); own sketch and design package updates post-fit.