Free People Associate Designer - Footwear

Role Summary

Free People is seeking and Associate Footwear Designer to work collaboratively with the Free People footwear team to actively design, create and execute brand vision. The Assistant/Associate Designer has a firm understanding of Free People's brand DNA and brings a strong point of view and fresh ideas to the design of Free People private label collections. Bringing working experience from the footwear industry and technical knowledge of design specifications.

Role Responsibilities

• Provide Footwear trends and market insights which translate into innovative and Footwear Designs across a variety of categories for Free People private label brands.

• Provide knowledge of materials, trims, hardware trends in Footwear.

• Work with Senior team members to prepare for all design presentations to show creative vision for each collection

• Create both stylized and technical sketches for each collection.

• With strong understanding of technical constructions, create technical packs for factories to execute design vision.

• Create digital CADs of footwear designs for internal design meetings and sales teams

• Actively attend footwear fittings to ensure successful aesthetic and technical execution of product

Role Qualifications

• 3+ years professional Footwear design experience strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of the Free People customer and competitive space.

• Ability to research and report on industry trend direction, color direction, trim, hardware and material innovations approximately 9-12 months ahead of season.

• Working knowledge of footwear manufacturing techniques and processes.

• Ability to sketch or to communicate design ideas in technically accurate and compelling ways.

• Fluency with Adobe Creative Suit: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightbox

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with partners in Merchandising, Production, and Design.

• Ability to respond to business objectives with creative, innovative, and cost-effective design solutions.

• Ability to clearly communicate to overseas vendor.

• Willing to relocate to Philadelphia, PA

• Bachelor's Degree in Fashion or Footwear Design or related field preferred.

• Some travel may be required.

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The Perks

URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit www.urbn.com/work-with-us/benefits

EEO Statement

URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.