At a Glance
- Tasks: Design vibrant print collections for fashion and accessories, blending vintage and modern styles.
- Company: Join Cath Kidston, a leading lifestyle brand known for its unique prints and colours.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, competitive salary, and a range of employee perks including discounts and bonuses.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration across teams.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that pushes boundaries and shapes the future of print design.
- Qualifications: Experience in textile design, strong illustration skills, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Alfred Place, London (Hybrid: Typically 3 days onsite, 2 days remote). Hours: Flexible core hours between 8:00am and 6:00pm.
Cath Kidston is all about the joy of detail, unique styling, and using print and colour to evoke nostalgia while remaining beautifully practical for everyday life. As a Senior Print Designer on a 6-month fixed-term contract, you will join the Cath Kidston team at NEXT to design across non-clothing, fashion pyjamas, kids, and accessories, with a specific focus on our exciting global licences and collaborations. You are here to push boundaries, look to the future, and create innovative print designs that keep our collections commercially vibrant and ahead of the trend. Working as a pivotal part of the critical path, you will breathe new life into our rich heritage while collaborating closely with buying, merchandising, and external suppliers.
What You’ll Take On
- Design high-quality print collections across multiple categories (non-clothing, loungewear, kids, and accessories) that elevate the brand and delight our global customer base.
- Develop diverse print repeats, placements, and colourways tailored to specific international markets, utilising both hand-painting/illustration and digital tools.
- Contemporise the brand’s heritage ethos, blending vintage influences with forward-thinking commercial trends to keep designs fresh and relevant.
- Brief and nurture relationships with suppliers, managing the design process efficiently from initial concept through to final execution.
- Collaborate dynamically with cross-functional teams to ensure all print designs align seamlessly with critical path deadlines and commercial goals.
What You’ll Bring
- Proven designer-level experience within a similar lifestyle or heritage brand, backed by a deep understanding of textile and print design.
- Exceptional creative talent, specifically including strong hand-painting, illustration skills, and expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
- A keen eye for trend and taste, with the ability to translate future industry trends into commercially viable, beautifully detailed products.
- Strong collaborative and communication skills, making it easy for you to share ideas with team members and build rapport with global external partners.
- Resilience and organisation, allowing you to stay focused, manage multiple projects, and deliver high-quality work within a fast-paced environment.
Portfolio Requirement
To help us get a feel for your style, please attach or link a digital portfolio to your application. We are looking for work that demonstrates a sharp eye for the future of lifestyle print design, showcases your hand‑drawn and CAD work, and highlights how your designs can be commercially viable for NEXT. Applications without a digital portfolio will not be considered.
Sponsorship
Candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK must meet the current Home Office sponsorship requirements.
About Us
You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE‑100 retail company employing over 44,000 people across the Next group? We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 450 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on‑line from over 80 countries around the world!
About The Team
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Profit‑related bonus - based on company performance
- Management share options
- Company car or car allowance
- Private medical insurance
- 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, but you're also able to make additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) if you wish to save more.
- Life assurance
- Group income protection
- Wagestream - helping you make the most out of your money
- Salary finance - offers access to affordable loans repaid through salary, simple savings and free financial education.
- 25% staff discount on most NEXT products - plus discount on other products
- Direct to work - NEXT orders delivered free to the office for collection
- VIP sale - early access to the NEXT sale
- Access to NEXT staff shops
- Octopus energy - like cycle‑to‑work, but for electric vehicles
- Free parking (excluding London locations)
- Travel2NEXT - bus services dependent on location
- On site dining facilities (excluding London locations)
- National and local discounts on goods and services - this includes things like discounted cinema tickets
- Wellhub - includes access to discounted gym membership
- Simply health - a healthcare subscription service
- Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service - 7 Free services including Digital GP appointments and an 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 to use at specific locations
Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change. We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long‑term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
Print Designer - Cath Kidston - 6 Months Fixed Term Contract employer: Next
At Cath Kidston, part of the NEXT family, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that celebrates creativity and innovation. With flexible working arrangements, comprehensive training programmes, and a wealth of employee benefits including generous holiday allowances and profit-related bonuses, we empower our team members to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in London, where you can contribute to exciting global collaborations while enjoying a supportive environment that values your unique talents and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Print Designer - Cath Kidston - 6 Months Fixed Term Contract
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio sorted! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially those hand-drawn and CAD designs. This is your chance to shine, so pick pieces that scream creativity and commercial viability.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Cath Kidston employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching the brand’s heritage and current trends. Be ready to discuss how you can blend vintage influences with modern designs. Show them you’re not just a designer, but a brand ambassador!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Print Designer - Cath Kidston - 6 Months Fixed Term Contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio:Make sure to attach or link your digital portfolio in your application. We want to see your unique style and how your designs can shine in the lifestyle print world. Remember, applications without a portfolio won't be considered!
Tailor Your Application:When you're writing your application, think about how your experience aligns with what we're looking for. Highlight your skills in textile and print design, and don’t forget to mention your hand-painting and illustration talents!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your passion for print design comes through without any fluff. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for Cath Kidston!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to have your digital portfolio ready and easily accessible. Highlight your best work that demonstrates your hand-drawn and CAD skills, as well as designs that are commercially viable. This is your chance to visually impress them with your unique style!
✨Know the Brand Inside Out
Research Cath Kidston thoroughly before the interview. Understand their heritage, current collections, and what makes their prints special. Being able to discuss how you can contemporise their ethos while pushing boundaries will show your genuine interest and fit for the role.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since this role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, be ready to discuss your past experiences in collaboration. Think of specific examples where you successfully managed relationships with suppliers or worked within a team to meet tight deadlines.
✨Stay Trend-Savvy
Brush up on current trends in lifestyle print design. Be prepared to share your insights on how you can translate these trends into innovative designs for Cath Kidston. Showing that you have a keen eye for what's next will set you apart from other candidates.
