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 creates graphics and patterns for apparel, activewear, and accessories, while coordinating with design, concept, production, merchant, legal, and licensing partners. It also manages seasonal graphic assortments, approvals, production-ready artwork, and day-to-day workflow, and provides direction and feedback to a direct report. In-person collaboration is required as dictated by business needs, including for 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 color sense for creating colorways and accurately matching colors.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills, including the ability to act as a liaison between 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 presentations, including boards, articulation of ideas, and market direction.
• Create seasonal graphic design concepts and board presentations, and present them frequently to Design.
• Create OFFLINE graphics for apparel, activewear, and accessories that remain true to the brand’s heritage and deliver on-trend fashion and innovation.
• Organize and manage seasonal graphic assortments 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; manage 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.
• Create and illustrate print, yarn-dye, and knit patterns using Kaledo software.
• Create technical breakdowns of pattern layouts and plaid specifications for 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 visualizing, presenting, and communicating pattern concepts through CAD artwork.
• Manage day-to-day workflow to prepare for milestone meetings and provide direction and feedback to direct reports.
• Communicate daily changes and updates to the Design Director.
• Collaborate in person and in the office as business needs dictate, including around product development, milestone meetings, fittings, and approvals.

Benefits

• Associate discount.
• Summer Fridays for Pittsburgh, NYC, and Remote Corporate Associates between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Casual dress code.
• Hybrid schedule.
• In-office events.
• Subject to eligibility requirements, health care benefits including medical, vision, and dental coverage; 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, with availability and terms varying by job level and type, job location, employment classification, and years of service.
• AEO may provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives.

What This Job Offers

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