At a Glance
- Tasks: Design stylish Boyswear collections and respond quickly to design briefs.
- Company: NEXT, a leading fashion retailer with a vibrant design culture.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, private health insurance, staff discounts, and more.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and mentorship.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Boyswear while collaborating with creative teams.
- Qualifications: Expertise in Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator and a keen eye for trends.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office with flexible core hours between 8am-6pm.
The Role
As an Assistant Designer for Boyswear, specialising in Wovens and Jersey, you will play a pivotal role in shaping a dynamic and essential product category. Your primary mission is to capture emerging trends and transform them into stylish, commercially successful products that resonate with our customers. In this role, your creativity will directly influence the seasonal ranges. You will work closely with a diverse team of Designers, Buyers, Merchandisers, Technologists, and Sourcing specialists to bring concepts to life efficiently and beautifully. Whether you are stepping up your career or bringing solid industry experience, NEXT offers comprehensive training, mentorship, and resources to help you integrate seamlessly into our fast-paced design studio.
What You’ll Take On
- Design Versatile Ranges: Create and support the development of innovative product ranges across both Boyswear Wovens and Jersey.
- Deliver Rapid Turnarounds: Respond swiftly and effectively to design briefs, producing high-quality creative work under fast-paced timelines.
- Gather Global Inspiration: Undertake inspirational travel and market research trips to spot emerging global trends, fabrics, and styling directions to keep our ranges ahead of the curve.
- Translate Trends Commercially: Apply your sharp eye for style and trends to build distinctive, desirable product collections that align with NEXT's brand identity.
- Design to Cost: Creatively work within established price point guidelines without compromising on quality, style, or design integrity.
- Collaborate Across Teams: Partner closely with designers, buyers, merchandisers, tech teams, sourcing specialists, and global suppliers to deliver ranges on time and to exact specifications.
What You’ll Bring
- Technical Proficiency: Essential, expert-level knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, alongside strong experience creating detailed tech packs and briefing manufacturers.
- Commercial Taste: A great natural taste level and an instinct for trend-spotting, combined with an eagerness to learn, pitch fresh ideas, and support the broader team.
- Industry Experience: A solid background working within a retail or supplier environment is ideal, with preference given to those experienced in dealing with factories and varied brands.
- Collaboration & Spirit: Exceptional teamwork and interpersonal skills are a must-have. You thrive in a highly collaborative, communication-driven environment.
Portfolios
To help us get a feel for your style, please attach a digital portfolio to your application. We are looking for work that demonstrates a sharp eye for the future of Boyswear, how your ideas can be commercially viable for NEXT, and showcases your direct design and CAD work. All applications must include an updated digital portfolio. Applications submitted 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.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Profit-related bonus based on company performance.
- Private health insurance - surgical choices.
- Sharesave scheme - make savings from your net pay to buy NEXT shares at a discount.
- Pension - fixed contribution rates from both an employer and employee perspective, with optional additional voluntary contributions.
- 25% staff discount on most NEXT products, plus discount on other products.
- Wagestream - helping you make the most out of your money.
- Salary finance - affordable loans repaid through salary, simple savings, and free financial education.
- Life assurance.
- Direct-to-work - NEXT orders delivered free to the office for collection.
- VIP sale early access to next sale.
- Access to NEXT staff shops.
- Octopus energy - electric vehicle cycle-to-work.
- Free parking (excluding London locations).
- Travel2NEXT bus services dependent on location.
- Onsite dining facilities (excluding London locations).
- National and local discounts on goods and services - includes discounted cinema tickets.
- Wellhub - access to discounted gym membership.
- Simply health - healthcare subscription service.
- Aviva Digicare Workplace+ - 7 free services incl. Digital GP appointments and annual health check.
- Onsite GP - Leicester Head Office.
- Onsite Physio - Leicester Head Office.
- A range of dedicated 3rd party wellbeing partners.
- Free eye testing - voucher for use at specific locations.
Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.
Assistant Designer - Childrenswear (Older & Younger Boyswear) in Leicester employer: Next
NEXT is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and collaborative work culture, particularly for the role of Assistant Designer in Childrenswear. With a commitment to employee growth through comprehensive training and mentorship, NEXT offers a dynamic environment where creativity thrives, alongside attractive benefits such as 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and a generous staff discount. Located in a supportive setting, employees can enjoy flexible working hours and access to various wellbeing initiatives, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Designer - Childrenswear (Older & Younger Boyswear) in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially anything that highlights your trend-spotting skills and design prowess. Remember, we want to see how your ideas can shine in the Boyswear category!
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts or join design forums to connect with others in the field. We all know that sometimes it's not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching NEXT and understanding our brand identity. Think about how your design style aligns with our vision and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to our team. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about what we do!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little nudge can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Designer - Childrenswear (Older & Younger Boyswear) in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio:Make sure to attach a digital portfolio that highlights your design skills and creativity. We want to see how your ideas can shape the future of Boyswear, so include your best work that showcases your direct design and CAD abilities.
Tailor Your Application:When applying, take a moment to tailor your application to the role. Highlight your experience with Wovens and Jersey, and don’t forget to mention any relevant industry experience that aligns with what we’re looking for at NEXT.
Be Trend-Savvy:We love candidates who have a sharp eye for trends! In your application, share examples of how you've spotted emerging trends in the past and how you’ve translated them into commercially successful designs.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we appreciate professionalism, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your written application. Show us your passion for design and why you’re excited about the opportunity to work with us at NEXT!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-organised digital portfolio that highlights your best work in Boyswear design. Include examples that demonstrate your trend-spotting skills and how your designs align with commercial viability for NEXT.
✨Know Your Trends
Research current trends in children's fashion, especially in Boyswear. Be prepared to discuss how you would translate these trends into commercially successful products, showing your understanding of the market and customer preferences.
✨Demonstrate Technical Skills
Brush up on your Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience creating tech packs and how you collaborate with manufacturers, as this technical proficiency is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked in a team environment. Highlight your interpersonal skills and how you’ve collaborated with designers, buyers, and other stakeholders to deliver projects on time and to specifications.
