At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop stunning furniture collections while collaborating with a creative team.
- Company: Join OKA, a vibrant brand passionate about beautiful and functional homeware.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, health cash plan, and a fun work environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values creativity and innovation in design.
- Qualifications: 1 year experience in product design and strong skills in Adobe and 3D modelling tools.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Founded over 20 years ago by three entrepreneurial women with a passion for beautiful, practical, and comfortable homes, OKA is more than a furniture and homeware retailer: it is a love affair with living well. We inspire people to confidently create a home that reflects their personality, a space where nothing should be too precious or perfect to be enjoyed with family and friends. British‑born, today we have 14 stores across the UK and an established Interior Design and Trade business, a mail‑order service and a thriving website. We are currently looking to recruit a full‑time Junior Product Designer – Furniture to support our Product Design & Development Team, based at our office in Didcot, Oxfordshire. We operate a hybrid working model: three or more days from the office, the remainder of the week from home.
ABOUT US
We know the best work is done by people who enjoy their jobs, so we create a fun and nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and is able to thrive. We are looking for an agile and proactive Junior Product Designer – Furniture with a positive attitude and entrepreneurial spirit who can help us nurture this company culture. Reporting directly to the Product Design & Development Manager – Furniture, the Junior Product Designer is responsible for supporting the design and development of our furniture collections, helping to bring creative concepts to life while maintaining the OKA brand’s signature aesthetic.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in the design and development of all furniture products including seating, sofas, storage, and beds.
- Generate sketches, concept boards, 3D renderings, and material/finish proposals to support the creative process.
- Conduct trend, market and material research to inform product ideas and ensure designs are commercially relevant.
- Support prototype and sample creation, liaising with suppliers and internal teams to maintain design integrity.
- Prepare presentations and visual materials for design reviews and cross‑functional meetings.
- Help maintain the furniture design library, including materials, finishes, and product references.
- Collaborate closely with merchandising, photography, and sourcing teams to ensure timely delivery and accurate product information.
- Document all design processes, maintaining PLM/WFX system entries, and tracking sample orders as needed.
- Take part in design meetings and range reviews, recording notes and ensuring follow‑up actions are completed.
- Contribute to ongoing improvement of design processes and PLM system workflows.
ABOUT YOU
- Minimum 1 year of experience in a product design, homewares, or related creative department (including internships).
- Strong design sensibility with a keen eye for form, colour, material, and detail.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office; Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop skills.
- Knowledge of 3D modelling tools such as Rhino, Fusion 360, or similar.
- Strong organisational skills, able to multi‑task and work collaboratively across departments.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with a creative and problem‑solving mindset.
- Passion for the OKA brand and for beautifully designed, functional homewares.
- Commercial awareness and understanding of product lifecycle from concept to launch is a plus.
OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE
- 33 days holiday (including bank holiday entitlement), plus Length of Service increases.
- Day off for your birthday.
- Health Cash Plan.
- Enhanced Parental Leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Eligibility for a discretionary company Bonus Scheme.
- Plus a suite of additional employee benefits: company pension scheme, life assurance cover, free eye tests, cycle to work scheme, interest‑free travel loans, social events, online wellbeing centre and more.
If successful you will become part of the OKA family, a fast‑paced and dynamic business. If you would like to apply for this position, please send your CV and details of your current salary, salary expectations, notice period and right to work information via the link provided.
Junior Product Designer - Furniture employer: OKA
At OKA, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Located in the picturesque Milton Park, Abingdon, our team enjoys generous benefits including 33 days of holiday, a health cash plan, and exclusive employee discounts, all while having ample opportunities for professional growth within our dynamic merchandising team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Product Designer - Furniture
✨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 OKA for a Junior Product Designer - Furniture, 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 OKA before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Product Designer - Furniture
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Junior Product Designer - Furniture at OKA, 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 OKA 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 OKA. 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 OKA.
How to prepare for a job interview at OKA
✨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 OKA, 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. OKA 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 OKA!
✨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 OKA is looking for.
