Associate Designer, Wall Art and Mirrors - West Elm

Associate Designer, Wall Art & Mirrors – West Elm

Who we are:
Born in Brooklyn in 2002, West Elm is a global design company dedicated to transforming people’s lives and spaces through creativity, style, and purpose.  We create unique, modern and affordable home decor and curate a global selection of local, ethically-sourced and Fair-Trade Certified products, available online and in our 100+ stores worldwide.

Our home base is nestled down under the Manhattan Bridge in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, right above our flagship store. We are a dynamic, fast-paced brand with an exciting growth strategy. We value imagination, diversity and giving people the opportunity to explore, grow and shape our future. We look for innovative, smart and hard-working individuals who enjoy creative thinking and ingenuity. Help us carry out our mission of being a source of inspiration to our customers, creating a global community and tirelessly seeking ways to evolve our brand.

About the role

As an Associate Designer, you will support the Design Director and lead the design and creation of innovative, functional and stylish products for the Wall and Mirrors categories, including but not limited to, mirrors, dropship wall art, sculptural wall art, wall frames and tabletop frames. 

You will support the buying group’s design and development needs. You will help support the Design Director in identifying key trends, building seasonal concepts, presenting designs to senior management, and ensuring all product development deadlines and key calendar dates are met.

 Responsibilities 

• Through clear understanding of design vision and business objectives, guide the design and development process from initial concept through approval. This means:
  • Work with Design Director to gather relevant inspiration references based on design direction.
  • Research market for new product ideas and regularly visit galleries, museums, and art shows to influence Wall Art direction. Assemble trend reports for team based on findings.
  • Drive the wall pre-development process to drive innovation of new techniques and finishes for Wall Décor… embellishment, embroideries, dye techniques, artisan techniques, fabric and hardgoods manipulation, etc. 
  • Create design renders, orthographic specs and comment forms that are clear and concise for internal teams and overseas vendors.
  • Prepare and present design work in cross functional presentations to senior management.
  • Manage decision-making daily for owned categories
  • Support in the management and movement of design samples; maintain a reference library for your categories
  • Correspond with product development internal teams and overseas vendors to develop products
• In partnership with the Design Director, drive the curation of wall décor within the mock store and partner with Furniture and Creative teams to ensure cohesion.
• Collaborate with the Merchandising Team to drive Dropship Wall Art Direction and own corresponding calendar milestones, which are separate from PD Calendar milestones; ability to balance multiple deadlines a must
• Drive workflow to the calendar to ensure all deadlines and key dates are met. 
• Recommend effective processes and procedures to improve workflow and results. 
• Travel as needed to factories and shows domestically and internationally.
• Reports to the Design Director of Decorative Accessories

You…

• Are passionate about design, style, and decorating.
• Have exceptional taste, a strong awareness of aspirational design and are keenly aware of trend
• Are comfortable with scaled product, styling and interiors
• Demonstrate creative ability to design varying sensibilities, looks and layouts
• Are comfortable working with a range of materials, including hardgoods and softgoods
• Love to work collaboratively in a group and have an innate willingness to dig in and contribute with your team.
• Are a true business owner; comfortable with decision making and calculated risk-taking for the benefit of your business.
• Are driven and motivated by the possibilities ahead.
• Think innovation is critical in a business environment and support others in creative thinking.
• Pride yourself on the quality of work and are a stickler for the details.
• Naturally challenge yourself and others to grow.

Criteria

• Minimum 3 years professional experience in related field required.
• Degree in design or equivalent experience.
• Print and pattern experience preferred
• Experience with drafting and ability to quickly review and comment on drawings.
• Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator,