Footwear Designer I, Innovation

Job description

Country: United States                                              
Job Function: Design

State / Province: Massachusetts                                
Position Type: Full time

City / Location: Canton                                   
Brand: Reebok

Relocation: No Selection

Reebok is the original fitness brand. Fitness is who we are.

We pioneered a fitness movement and we are still pioneering today. Every day we are creating products for those who love fitness as much as we do; products that allow you to get every ounce out of your work-out, run, walk, yoga, step or dance class.

We believe fitness is a way of life… that as humans we were made to move. Movement not only makes your body stronger, it makes you the best possible you…body, mind and spirit.

At Reebok, our employees embrace this mission and are encouraged to reach for their fitness goals – as well as their career and personal goals. It’s part of the fabric of who we are and what we stand for.

Reebok Innovation

The Reebok Innovation team will let designers take risks, have fun and experiment without limitations. We allow creators to prototype ideas, make things, break things, test and discover.  Nothing matters more than our people and enabling their creative expression and innovation.  The Reebok Innovation team is a place where we look to fuel creativity and forward thinking.

Position Summary

The Innovation Footwear Designer is responsible for designing compelling footwear product, systems and processes that challenge the status quo in the industry. The Footwear Designer I will be responsible for researching trends and leading continued ideation of fresh concepts. In addition, this individual will be challenged with identifying new directions, materials, or manufacturing processes that will improve the Reebok brand. This is a highly collaborative role working across the global brand categories and business units. Ultimately the Footwear Designer I will be an integral component of our drive for product excellence and development of industry leading creative solutions for assigned concepts or categories in order to create a highly relevant, desirable and clear Reebok brand image.

Key Accountabilities:

·  Design truly inspired footwear collections, bridging sports style and performance, informed by and created for culture
·  Participate in the creation of annual and long-term Creative Direction strategies
·  Present and communicate objective creative solutions with clarity, effectively selling in ideas
·  Collects relevant information needed to design a consumer and ‘market right’ collection 
·  Involved with the creative development for cross category consumer touchpoints, from 2D, 3D, retail, and digital
·  Develop concepts and creative strategies that fulfil objectives of category, concept, or brand briefs
·  Produces trend, travel and research reports for other members of the design team.
·  Designs collections by hand sketching and use of other design computers/software.
·  Hands off design kits to development and communicates all relevant information needed for development process, including detailed, technical drawings. 
·  Works with Development and external resources to resolve product issues from commercialization to initial Tech packages.
·  Travels to the market place to get feedback from athletes and consumers
·  Collaborate with the Innovation Design team to ensure holistic storytelling
·  Collaborate with cross-functional team members to ensure consumer and brand focus
·  Collaborate with categories to remain informed on current trends, product feedback and market needs

Knowledge Skills and Abilities :

·  Demonstrated ability to think conceptually
·  Drive innovation based on consumer and athlete insights
·  Ability to effectively present design ideas and concepts
·  Ability to operate in a fast paced, ever changing work environment
·  Extensive industry, consumer, athlete, and trend knowledge
·  Knowledge of functional and technical performance products
·  Ability to design for new initiatives and create products with a fresh, innovative perspective
·  Ability to create designs that meet fitness category needs
·  Strong communication, organizational and presentation skills;  ability to receive design critique and respond with multiple solutions
·  Ability to illustrate designs & concepts in both hand sketch and rendering forms
·  Visualization skills to express ideas in both 2D and 3D including styling the entire shoe
·  Knowledge of technical processes and ability to address lasts, patterns, blueprints and molds at a general level
·  Strong team player as well as ability to work independently
·  Ability to respond quickly to multiple projects with strong time management skills
·  Understanding of materials and their application to footwear designs; understanding of material development processes and footwear construction.
·  Knowledge of color mixing, color compatibility, and color placement

Qualifications :

·  2-3+ years of footwear design experience
·  Advanced level Adobe Illustrator; Photoshop; 3D software; InDesign; other presentation/multimedia tools a plus.
·  Bachelor’s degree in product, industrial, fashion, automotive or interior design.