Design Assistant

Contract: Full-Time, Fixed Term - 12 months

Location: Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1QJ

Working Arrangements: Hybrid Working (3 days per week office based)

Who are we?

For over 30 years, we’ve travelled, we’ve laughed, we’ve grown. We believe life is for living and more fun with those we love. We are Made for Life.

Our mission statement:

Crafting clothes for life’s everyday adventures. Today, tomorrow and always.

Our Product formula:

Consider Style. Trusted Quality. B Corp certified. Equality and inclusion isn’t an aspiration but the standard. We promote and drive equality within our workforce to ignite an inclusive foundation for us all to build from and truly connect with our customers, colleagues, and communities alike. You play a key part in creating an environment free from prejudice, racism, sexism, harassment, bullying and any other form of marginalisation in our workplaces.

Role Summary

To provide support in designing a commercial range of prints which is in line with the Design direction and brand strategy.

Role Responsibilities

• Provide support for gathering information on season trends appropriate for the Fat Face brand, through research and competitor visits. Assist in the completion of the concept boards for presentation meetings.
• Understand and be aware of the department product strategy producing competitor and product information as required.
• Assist in the production of artworks, ensuring accurate and timely completion, working with the design team to achieve the design vision.
• Monitor print strike off trackers and chase in strike offs for meetings.
• Prepare boards and information for meetings to ensure all requirements are satisfied.
• Manage all strike offs and archive artworks, labelling and tidying up as appropriate.
• Feedback on current trends and make suggestions for print trends.
• Carry out department product filing and general admin tasks as required.
• Develop self through store and competitor visits. And through increased awareness of other functions and company activity.
• Provide support across the wider design team as required.
• Align self to companies social and environmental mission and champion any actions that you can directly impact at all times.

Skills and Experience

• Drawing and painting skills.
• Some experience of the design process.
• Good communication skills – good oral and presentation skills.
• Impact and influencing skills - able to influence externally and internally, displays drive, energy, enthusiasm and a can-do attitude.
• Able to organise and prioritise, deal with change well, able to suggest improvements to working practices and systems.
• Team working.

Role Competencies

• Degree or equivalent in textile design.
• An understanding of print design process.
• Use of computerised design system – Photoshop, Illustrator.
• Understanding of customer profile, competitors and product offer.
• Basic understanding of design working practises and terminology.
• Passion for trend and product.
• Affinity with the FF brand.

Key Contacts and Relationships:

Internal: Product team

External: Suppliers

Accountable for Resources:

Company integrity – relationship with externals

Brand integrity within category

FatFace Benefits:

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Perkbox our online platform to use from day one (this includes amazing online discounts, home workouts, wellbeing content, popular brand discounts etc).
• THRIVE – Our learning management system- access from day one with 1000’s of pieces of learning.
• Dental Insurance (employee funded).
• Pension scheme.
• EAP support around the clock- UNUM/Retail Trust/ Fashion Textiles Support.
• Critical illness/Death in service for Salaried staff.
• Sick pay allowances.
• O2 phone discount.
• Eye Tests/contributions to glasses.
• Sabbatical leave in line with service.
• Enhanced Family Friendly policies i.e. Maternity Leave.
• Refer a friend scheme.