Assistant Designer - Home - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract in Leicester

Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.

The Role
As our new Assistant Designer for Gifting, you’ll be the creative force behind the moments that matter. Your mission is to design and develop everything from standout greeting cards and luxury gift wrap to innovative packaging and unique gift products. Working at the heart of our Gifting & Stationery team, you will translate global lifestyle trends into commercial, “must-have” ranges that make Next the ultimate destination for thoughtfulness. You’ll collaborate closely with senior designers, buyers and merchandisers to turn initial concepts into reality, supported by hands-on mentorship from industry experts

Our Designers here at Next are always looking forward. Looking for that Next thing, focusing on trend and pushing the boundaries of what we can offer our fantastic customer base. Working as a key part of the critical path; creating new and innovative Print and Pattern Designs for our Bedding range!

What You’ll Take On

• Create original artwork and illustrations for greeting cards, gift wrap, and stationery ranges, with a heavy focus on innovative print and pattern.
• Develop 3D packaging concepts that enhance the unboxing experience through innovative structure and graphics.
• Produce detailed CADs and technical specifications, including call-outs for special finishes like foils, embossing, and sustainable materials.
• Attend inspiration trips and trade shows to stay ahead of the curve, bringing back fresh ideas to influence our seasonal collections.

• Collaborate with Buying and Sourcing teams to ensure all designs are commercially viable and delivered to a high standard.

What You’ll Bring
Creative Flair: A versatile portfolio showcasing strong skills in illustration, typography, and a sophisticated eye for print and pattern design.
Technical Proficiency: High competence in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Illustrator and Photoshop.
Organisation: The ability to stay calm under pressure and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Attention to Detail: A meticulous eye for color matching and preparing precise, print-ready design files.
Commercial Mindset: An understanding of the Next customer and a willingness

Portfolio’s: To help us get a feel for your style, please attach a digital portfolio. We’re looking for work that demonstrates a sharp eye for the future of Gifting, Stationery, and Packaging, showcasing how your original print designs and CAD work can be commercially viable for Next.

Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.

Sponsorship
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information, please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.

At NEXT, we believe the best work happens when there are no barriers to collaboration. That’s why we are a Google-powered workspace. From your very first day, you’ll be using the full Google Workspace suite; Docs, Drive, and Meet, to stay connected and move fast.

If your previous experience is rooted in other software suites, don’t worry! We’ll point you to a digital Google toolkit the moment you join, packed with handy guides and insider tips to help you transition smoothly and hit the ground running.

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