Soft Goods Designer

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionAbout Us:

U Brands, which is a subsidiary of Smead Manufacturing, is California-based brand that is shaped by its designers, innovators, and trendsetters — a collective group of individuals who greatly respect the process and blend innovation, self-expression, and flair. We are passionate about providing unique, well-designed products that will leave you feeling inspired. U Brands offers stylish, fashion-forward product lines ranging from stationery, journals, writing tools, presentation boards, and desk organization for your home or office.

Compensation: $66,560 to $84,800 / annually

Office Location: Laguna Hills, CA

Job Type: Full-time – Exempt

Schedule: Hybrid

• 3 days in office in Laguna Hills, CA (Tues-Thurs)
• 2 days work from home (Mon & Fri)

Job Summary:

As a Soft Goods Designer, you will use your creativity to develop trend-forward designs and detailed renderings in Adobe Illustrator, bringing our vision to life for buyers and merchandising layouts. You’ll collaborate closely with teams to ensure designs are optimized for manufacturing while maintaining quality and meeting cost goals.

This is a unique opportunity to refine your design expertise while working at the intersection of creativity and production, gaining valuable experience in design engineering and industry-leading trends.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Design fresh, trend-forward soft goods that align with our brand’s vision. Your creations will inspire and set the tone for what’s next in the industry.
• Craft captivating, detailed renderings using Adobe Illustrator that will be showcased to buyers, brought to life in presentations, and used to shape merchandising layouts.
• Prepare precise, comprehensive technical packages that communicate your design vision to our factories, ensuring a seamless transition from concept to creation.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to fine-tune your designs, ensuring they’re optimized for manufacturing while maintaining your creative vision.
• Reduce costs through value engineering while preserving the beauty and quality of your designs.
• Stay ahead of the curve by keeping up with the latest color theory and design trends, applying this knowledge to create visually stunning designs.

Competencies:

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator—this is your primary tool for transforming ideas into visuals.
• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop to support your design process.
• Experience with value engineering, balancing cost considerations without sacrificing design quality.
• A deep understanding of soft goods manufacturing processes, ensuring your designs are production ready.
• A sharp eye for color theory and a passion for staying current with the latest design trends.

Education/Experience:

• 2+ years of proven hands-on experience in soft goods design.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Benefits:

• 401k + Company Contribution
• Paid Time Off + Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance and Wellness programs
• Medical, Dental, Vison, Life Insurance, Critical Illness benefits
• Ongoing opportunities for professional growth and development
• Hybrid work schedule - Work from home Mondays and Fridays
• Fun, fast-paced office environment Tuesday-Thursday
• Company sponsored lunch from a local restaurant every Wednesday
• A company culture that supports work/life balance
• "Summer hours" all year long (M-Th 8am-5:30pm & Fri 8am-3pm)

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

Location: Laguna Hills, CA, US

Posted Date: 11/1/2024