At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting design projects and mentor a talented team in a creative studio.
- Company: Join NOVOCASTRIAN, a close-knit team of Designers and Craftsmen.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, early Friday finishes, and private healthcare after two years.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and creativity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in furniture design and innovate with cutting-edge techniques.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in the industry, strong design skills, and proficiency in key software.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Unit 5 - 6, Armstrong Road, Washington, NE37 1PR
Contract: Full-Time
Hours: 40 hours per week; 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Thursday, and 08:00 to 14:30, Friday
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
About Us
NOVOCASTRIAN is a closely-knit team of Designers, Craftsmen, and Metalworkers. We strive to create an exciting, inspiring workplace full of highly talented people. We are seeking a Senior Product Designer to take a pivotal role in our studio, leading projects and mentoring our growing team.
Role Overview
As a Senior Product Designer, you will lead projects from Sale through Design and Delivery, managing a significant portion of the company's projects while maintaining target profit margins. You will effectively manage accounts to ensure a steady flow of work and actively lead and contribute to wider office, studio, and workshop improvements. Additionally, you will be tasked with developing new products and bringing them to market under guidance from the Creative Director.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and Technical Execution: Demonstrate a creative and original approach to design, delivering high-quality outputs across multiple types of projects. Design within NOVOCASTRIAN's company ethos, with a clear understanding of the differing needs of Private and Commercial clients. Guide design direction and create the visuals required to convey design intent. Manage the risk of using known processes versus new processes. Work up designs from initial concept to full production drawings. Manage jobs through the manufacturing process, working closely with our team of makers and external suppliers. Monitor projects through the workshop to ensure manufacturing success. Produce O&M manuals, and final handover documentation to successfully close out projects.
- Project and Commercial Management: Manage designated project types from start to finish, including NOVOCASTRIAN products, Special Projects, Bespoke work, and Architectural Metalwork. Ensure project budgets are met and flag any intended spend that exceeds the quoted allowance by over 5%. Assist in job quoting when required. Ensure strict compliance with our Standard Operating Procedures and our ISO9001 management system. Monitor in-house resource burn and project profitability.
- Client Management: Support the Directors in key client presentations, taking a lead role when asked. Manage the client and gain approvals when required, keeping them informed of project particulars at all times.
- Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and train others when required, specifically acting as a mentor to Junior team members. Lead by example in instilling a positive attitude and help enforce studio protocol.
Requirements and Experience
Essential:
- 8+ years of direct industry experience.
- Extensive experience in furniture design.
- Excellent concept design and technical drawing skills.
- High proficiency in Fusion 360, AutoCAD, Photoshop, and InDesign.
- Deep understanding of manufacturing techniques and technologies.
- A thorough knowledge of suppliers, materials, and capabilities, with a drive to seek out new suppliers and processes to innovate.
- Demonstrable experience successfully delivering multiple projects from initial concept through to final handover.
- A proactive and positive attitude, with the ability to be strong yet fair to all team members.
- Must have an existing right to work in the UK.
- Must have a car and be able to commute to Washington, Tyne and Wear.
- Must be able to start within four weeks of a job offer.
Preferable:
- Experience in luxury furniture design and lighting.
- Metalworking knowledge.
Benefits:
- Early Friday finish.
- Private healthcare after two years.
- Enrolment in our quarterly profit share scheme.
Senior Product Designer in Washington employer: Novocastrian
At NOVOCASTRIAN, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inspiring work environment where creativity thrives. As a Senior Product Designer, you will not only lead innovative projects but also have the opportunity to mentor a talented team, ensuring your professional growth alongside the company. With competitive salaries, private healthcare after two years, and a quarterly profit share scheme, we offer meaningful benefits that reflect our commitment to our employees' well-being and success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Product Designer in Washington
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
In the world of UX/UI design, your portfolio speaks volumes! Make sure it's packed with your best work and showcases your process, not just the final product. We want to see how you tackle design challenges, so consider adding case studies that reflect your thought process and user-centric approach.
✨Get Involved in Design Communities
Jump into local or online design meetups and workshops! Places like UXPA or local design events can be goldmines for networking and learning. Plus, mingling with fellow designers can introduce you to potential job openings that might not be listed elsewhere.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you find a role that excites you, like the one at Novocastrian for a Senior Product Designer, make your application count! Highlight specific projects and skills that directly relate to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit into their specific team, so show them you’re the one!
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in finding a UX/UI design job! Follow design leaders on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, share your work, and engage in conversations. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and even catch wind of openings at companies like Novocastrian before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product Designer in Washington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Senior Product Designer at Novocastrian, make sure to include examples that clearly highlight your design process. We want to see not just the final product but also the journey that led you there—wireframes, user personas, and iterations demonstrate your thought process and user-centric approach!
Tailor Your Portfolio:A tailor-made portfolio is crucial for a full-time design role! Curate your best projects that align with the kind of work Novocastrian does. We suggest including 3-5 case studies that showcase a variety of skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to really make your application pop.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV. Use it to express why you’re excited about UX/UI Design and what draws you specifically to Novocastrian. Mention any relevant experience, tools you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and how you can contribute to their projects.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:In the world of UX/UI Design, teamwork is crucial. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you worked in cross-functional teams. Illustrate how you communicated design decisions and listened to feedback, as this will resonate well with the culture at Novocastrian.
How to prepare for a job interview at Novocastrian
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
When you're gunning for a full-time UX/UI design role, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure you've got a solid selection of your work, showcasing not just the final designs, but the process behind them—think wireframes, user flows, and any user research you've conducted. During the interview with Novocastrian, be prepared to discuss your design decisions and how they solve specific user problems.
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Expect to face some practical design tasks during your interview. Novocastrian might ask you to tackle a quick design challenge or critique an existing interface. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and try to articulate your thought process as you work through these scenarios. Showing how you approach a design problem is just as important as the final output!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with the tools commonly used in the industry—figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch should be second nature to you. Be ready to discuss your preferred tools during the interview and how they've shaped your design process at previous positions. This knowledge could give you an edge at Novocastrian!
✨Show Passion for User Experience
In a full-time UX/UI design role, having a genuine passion for improving user interactions can set you apart. Be prepared to share instances when you went above and beyond to ensure a great user experience in your previous projects. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a designer, but a user advocate, which is exactly what Novocastrian is looking for.
