Freelance CAD Artist Print Designer, Wholesale Apparel

Premier Brands Group Holdings • New York, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Premier Brands Group Holdings, a global leader in apparel, jewelry, and accessories design, is seeking a talented CAD Designer. This role is responsible for producing seasonal artwork that maintains aesthetic integrity in print design and is technically ready for production. The CAD Designer will create and edit electronic versions of prints, adjust patterns, colors, and colorways, and ensure patterns are in repeat. A key aspect of this role is minimizing impact on development time and cost through timely and accurate execution of CAD artwork. The designer will collaborate closely with the Design team to understand the color story, feel, and direction of designated brands and seasons, translating this into print and artwork. Responsibilities also include executing digital layouts of embellishments, knit stitch patterns, and other design elements, re-coloring original artwork to fit seasonal palettes, and re-designing artwork for balanced compositions. The role involves submitting technical repeats for print production, conferring with management on quality improvement and cycle time reduction, developing best practices for software tools, and researching new software. Daily interaction with Designers for artwork exchange and service delivery, creating minibodies, adjusting samples for showrooms, and collaborating with Tech Design for pattern adjustments are also key functions. The goal is to ensure the best possible support for Design, with a focus on artwork quality and efficient rework.

Requirements

• Associates or Bachelors degree – fashion preferred
• Minimum 5 years related experience necessary
• Understanding of textiles and printing
• Knowledge of pattern layout (markers) preferred
• Knowledge of wash/ watercolor techniques for best color blending preferred
• Experience with CAD software such as Nedgraphics, Lectra, Digifab, Photoshop, Illustrator and/or others
• Strong communication skills a must
• Must be creative and motivated
• Strong color sense
• Heavy use of computer, tablet, mouse, pen; printers.
• Sit minimum of 2/3 of day.

Responsibilities

• Produce artwork on a seasonal basis that maintains the aesthetic in print design and that is technically ready for production.
• Create/edit electronic versions of prints as directed by Design; adjust pattern; adjust colors/ colorways; put in repeat.
• Minimize impact on development time and thereby cost through timely and accurate execution of CAD artwork.
• Develop close working relationship with Design to understand color story, feel, direction of designated brand and season, and interpret this direction in the print/ artwork.
• Execute digital layouts of embellishment, knit stitch patterns, and other design elements.
• Re-color original artwork to fit into seasonal color palettes.
• Re-design and adjust original artwork to create well balanced designs.
• Match seasonal color palettes within CAD system for a true representation of color for color cards and artwork.
• Submit technical repeats for print production.
• Confer with Art Department and Design management on how to improve quality of work product; and reduce cycle time.
• Develop best practices on which software tool to use for which tasks; research and recommend new software for the CAD system.
• Maintain a reference library.
• Research and create designs that can be interpreted for the core customer.
• Daily interaction with Designers - for print and other digital artwork/ exchange of information, service delivery.
• Planning- create minibodies (service delivery).
• Design/Sales- for samples adjusted for showroom (Sprayed or handpainted or otherwise corrected).
• Tech Design/Marking & Grading: for repeats/pattern adjustment when Design needs specific placement; to maximize yield.
• Partner with other members of department, as well as Design, to ensure best possible support for Design.
• Quality of artwork/ prints as defined by approval by Design after first cycle; minimal amount of rework.
• Quantity of work accomplished: number of prints completed daily/weekly.

Benefits

• Up to $75 per hour
• Actual base salary for this role within the above range will be based upon experience, qualifications and/or assigned unit.
• An EEO/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree