Designer - Offline Graphics

American Eagle Outfitters • New York, NY

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Designer – OFFLINE Graphics works within the Graphics and CAD team to implement OFFLINE’s pattern and graphic direction throughout the design process, from initial concepts and presentations through development and final product execution. The role covers graphics and patterns across apparel, activewear, and accessories, and reports to the Design Director. It supervises an Assistant Designer.

The designer establishes and interprets pattern, color, and graphic trends for the brand; creates seasonal concepts and presentations; and develops fashion graphics that are on trend while remaining true to the brand’s heritage. The role also manages seasonal graphics assortments, production-ready artwork, approvals, licensing processes, and collaboration with design, merchandising, production, and legal partners.

For patterns, the designer creates and illustrates print, yarn-dye, and knit patterns using Kaledo, develops repeats and colorways, prepares technical pattern specifications, and provides production-ready artwork for internal and external partners. The position also manages daily workflow and supports milestone meetings, providing direction and feedback to direct reports. In-person collaboration is required as dictated by business needs, including product development, milestone meetings, fittings, and approvals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Design or Textile Design, or equivalent experience in CAD Design.
• At least 5 years of related graphic design experience.
• Graphic design experience for apparel is required.
• Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is required.
• Knowledge of repeat patterns, textile printing, and yarn-dye reproduction.
• Strong sense of color for creating colorways and the ability to match colors accurately.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills, including the ability to act as a liaison between multiple departments.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with CAD systems, including Kaledo.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Design Director and Concept teams to establish pattern, color, and graphic trend direction and interpret it into brand-appropriate artwork.
• Oversee presentation materials, including boards, articulation of ideas, and market direction.
• Create seasonal graphic design concepts and board presentations, and present frequently to Design.
• Create OFFLINE graphics for apparel, activewear, and accessories that reflect the brand’s heritage while delivering newness, innovation, and on-trend fashion aesthetics.
• Organize and own the seasonal graphics assortment for chain, web, and international needs.
• Maintain seasonal line sheets and update them throughout the year.
• Create production-ready files, upload them to PLM systems, and communicate with design and merchant partners.
• Collaborate with Production on graphic scale, placement, and print quality; maintain strike-off and sample approvals.
• Manage graphic artwork approvals with the Legal team and maintain legal approval charts.
• Lead licensing development and approval processes and maintain approval charts.
• Manage strike-off approvals and related communication.
• Create and illustrate print, yarn-dye, and knit patterns using Kaledo software.
• Create technical breakdowns of pattern layouts and plaid specifications for design communication with vendor fabric development.
• Develop pattern repeats and alternate colorways for prints and plaids.
• Provide production-ready pattern artwork in print and electronic formats for internal and external partners.
• Collaborate with Design on visualization, presentation, and communication of pattern concepts through CAD artwork.
• Manage day-to-day workflow in preparation for key milestone meetings and provide direction and feedback to direct reports.
• Communicate daily changes and updates to the Design Director.
• Participate in in-person collaboration for product development, milestone meetings, fittings, and approvals as dictated by business needs.

Benefits

• Generous associate discount.
• Summer Fridays for Pittsburgh, NYC, and Remote Corporate Associates between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Casual dress code.
• Hybrid schedule combining home-office focus and in-office collaboration.
• In-person company-wide events.
• Eligible associates may receive medical, vision, and dental health care benefits; wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.
• Holiday pay; availability varies by job level and type, location, employment classification, and years of service.
• Discretionary bonuses and other incentives may be provided at the company’s discretion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level