Lead Designer, Footwear Color, Material & Graphics Local Creation NA

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

This is an individual contributor opportunity reporting to the NA Footwear Design Director and involves working directly with the NA footwear design team and the NA Product Management and Development teams, as well as Nike creative and business stakeholders.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Nike Local Creation is one of the fastest product engines at Nike, enabling designers to connect with geo-specific consumers quickly and effectively. This competitive advantage allows the team to capture current and developing market trends as well as regionally relevant narratives with flexibility and speed. We are looking for a candidate who is an experienced creative leader who embraces an entrepreneurial spirit and will thrive in a team environment.

The ideal Lead Designer will be responsible for establishing seasonal Graphic direction, color, and material strategy for footwear product under the North America Express Lane business. This designer will be an active and energetic participant in the creative process and have excellent cross-functional communication skills, presenting design concepts to internal and external audiences and executing complex deliverables in a fast-paced environment. The Lead Designer will be a versatile creative problem solver who excels under tight deadlines, has a strong understanding of emerging design and fashion trends, and extensive knowledge of footwear construction, color theory, and textiles.

Education

BA/BFA/MA/MFA preferred in graphic design, fashion design, industrial design, apparel design, material design, textile design or a related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience or training.

Experience

• Preferred design experience: 6+ years
• People management experience: N/A
• Comprehensive knowledge of current and emerging design and fashion trends in sportswear and streetwear footwear and apparel.
• Deep knowledge and experience in Color and/or Material design + Graphics specifically for product.
• Foundational understanding of footwear construction, schematic development and tech pack creation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and timelines at once.
• Ability to translate consumer insights into thoughtful narratives and graphic storytelling.
• Strong visual and verbal presentation skills; able to effectively show and communicate design intent to internal and external audiences.
• Professional level experience using Illustrator & Photoshop; Miro

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

If this is you, you will be helping to lead the NAEL design team in creating unique, geo-specific collections across Men’s, Women’s, Running and Kids product on a seasonal basis. This will include setting distinct colour and material direction, developing original content and product storytelling. The Lead Designer will work closely with:

Graphic Designers and production designers to develop prints, patterns and trims.

Material Developers for all vendor related material development

Product Management teams to build engaging, trend-driven narratives that meet the needs of target consumers

Development teams to communicate design intent, help with schematic creation and review and workshop prototypes.

The ideal candidate will also be responsible for managing and designing presentation materials and presenting concepts to internal teams and leadership as well as external partners.

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.