Role: Design Assistant Department: Design, Menswear Reports to: Designer Contract: Permanent Working Arrangements: Hybrid Working (3 days per week office based) Location: FatFace Head Office, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1QJ Role Overview Join our dynamic menswear design team and help create standout collections that define our brand! Support the designer in crafting a commercial range that captures the essence of Fat Face style. Bring fresh, innovative ideas to life and make your mark on every stitch of our menswear. Dive into every step of the design process, from trend research to final production, and be a key player in our creative journey! Role Responsibilities
1. Provide support for gathering information on seasonal menswear trends appropriate for the Fat Face brand through research and competitor visits. Assist in the completion of concept boards for presentation meetings.
2. Understand and be aware of the department product strategy, producing competitor and product information as required.
3. Assist in the production of design packs, ensuring accurate and timely completion, working with the design team to achieve the design vision.
4. Be aware of selection meetings and ensure proto samples are chased in as required.
5. Prepare design samples, boards, and information for meetings to ensure all requirements are satisfied.
6. Manage all design samples, labeling, and tidying up as appropriate.
7. Provide feedback on current trends and styling information, making suggestions for product designs while understanding the implications on the critical path.
8. Keep up to date with department and product sales performance and trading activity, incorporating this feedback into the design process.
9. Carry out department product filing and general administrative tasks as required.
10. Develop self through store visits, competitor analysis, shows, and supplier visits. Increase awareness of other company functions and activities.
11. Provide support across the wider design team as required.
Skills and Experience
12. A relevant Degree in Fashion Design/Textile Design/Print & Graphic Design
13. 1+ years of experience in a design related role ¿ we would consider those with a relevant degree but no working experience, providing you have a proven portfolio with relevant work to show
14. Basic experience of design process
15. Good communication skills ¿ good oral and presentation skills
16. Impact and influencing skills - able to influence externally and internally, displays drive, energy, enthusiasm and a can-do attitude
17. Able to organise and prioritise, deal with change well, able to suggest improvements to working practices and systems
18. Team working
Role Competencies
19. An understanding of the product development cycle
20. Use of computerised design system ¿ Photoshop, Illustrator
21. Understanding of customer profile, competitors, and product offer
22. Basic understanding of design working practises and terminology
23. Some understanding of the supply chain for product and fabric sourcing and development Brand & market aware
24. Passion for product
25. Affinity with the FatFace brand
Key Contacts & Relationships Internal:
26. Product team
External:
27. Suppliers
Accountable for Resources
28. Company integrity ¿ relationship with externals
29. Brand integrity within category