Senior Apparel Art & Graphic Designer, Temporary

Your Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create a merchandisable art and graphics line from concept to commercialization.
• Influence decisions across the Apparel functions with full accountability and ownership for the outcome as well as the process.
• Participate in seasonal and yearly concept strategy sessions in conjunction with Apparel Design Leadership and the Footwear team to align seasonal themes.
• Own the Art & Graphics portion of the Apparel calendar and manage the maintenance of calendar/timelines/deadlines that result in a timely completion of each product and/or collection.
• Lead the execution of the seasonal vision of apparel, accessories & sock art design by developing a strong consumer-oriented point of view through an understanding of the runner and the events we sponsor.
• Using inspiration from Apparel Leadership as a framework, translate that inspiration into original, on trend artwork that aligns with the modern Brooks Apparel standard set by Apparel Design Leadership.
• Communicate and present seasonal graphic and textile design concepts to Apparel Leadership, create presentation materials that effectively communicate direction for graphics and textile prints.
• Utilize both computerized systems and handcraftsmanship in the design process to provide materials to Design, Development and PLM teams.
• Work with our vendor partners and Development team to produce graphic and textile designs ranging from blue-sky concepts to go-to-market solutions.
• Create original artwork that illustrates design concepts and captures seasonal stories to share with the Marketing, Product Line Management, and Sales teams.
• Design graphics, print repeats, embroideries, jacquards, branding, laser cut or other fabric manipulation to align with the seasonal product direction.
• Work with the Product Line Management team and Business Operations Manager to understand market needs and design graphics aligned to product briefs and cost targets.
• Research market trends, competitors and consumer needs and provide recommendations from a graphic design perspective.
• Travel domestically and/or internationally once to twice per year to stay on top of art and graphic trends firsthand.
• Create and maintain all art files and transfer correct information to cross functional teams.
• Create graphic and print artwork for the Development team for strike-offs and prototypes.
• Compile tech packs and other materials to hand off to development for sampling and manufacturing.
• Update designs based on feedback from management and other team members, ensuring changes are made accordingly.
• Research new techniques and applications that can be used in seasonal products and use findings to innovate our products.
• Partner with apparel and accessories designers to ensure that textile stories and individual prints, materials and trims enhance the product aesthetic and fit with the overall design.
• Meet calendar deadlines and deliverables.
• Manage freelancer designers
• Other responsibilities as required. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or portfolio school) in Textile, Material or Graphic design or related field
• 7+ years of progressive and technically sophisticated Textile design experience; may be substituted by proven skill based on actual work samples
• Demonstrated understanding of textile manufacturing, screen-printing, dyeing, and design techniques
• Exceptional design portfolio.
• Expert knowledge in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop is unequivocally necessary
• Must be able to design, prepare production files, and color separate art using Illustrator and Photoshop (vector and index)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrating effective listening through concise, clear verbal and written communication
• Ability to manage multiple and competing work priorities, demands, and changes
• Excellent interpersonal skills that inspire and build trust resulting in effective working relationships across the company
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organization and execution of tasks, while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all the pieces fit together and affect one another.
• Ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our customers, our partners, our products or other departments’ operations and/or morale; “connecting the dots”
• Demonstration of innovation and initiative – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details and help wherever necessary
• Passionate participation in Brooks’ sports activities a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner to develop loyal, engaging relationships with our customers and the Brooks community
• Able to travel domestically and internationally 2 times a year
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values!