Associate Surface Designer

About the role

The Associate Surface Designer will support the creation of own brand print artworks appropriate for the Vera Bradley customer. They will work within the Surface Design team to initiate and develop concepts each season that are fashion driven and reflective of the creative vision. This position requires advanced technical skills, speed, agility, and the ability to react in an extremely fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Create new, on-brand prints for multiple product categories that drive forward and support the evolution of the Vera Bradley design aesthetic.
• Create complementary and coordinating prints, rework layouts and repeats and recolor artwork.
• Create style specific artwork for home, wearable and other categories.
• Manipulate new, vintage and bought prints for application across categories.
• React quickly to development requests, creating multiple options for each review.
• Prepare production ready artwork files.
• Build surface design boards that illustrate the seasonal print direction.
• Participate in evaluation of seasonal surface design presentation for seasonal concept.
• Maintain strong knowledge of current surface design trends and historical surface design history through constant research and self-education.
• Assist with the organization and distribution of vector files and paper pitch sheets to cross functional and license partners.
• Support design team during creation of artwork tech packs.
• Meet all deadlines on the go to market calendar as directed by senior team members and Surface Design Director.
• Propose innovative ways to streamline and improve departmental processes.

Requirements

• High school graduate required.
• Bachelor’s degree in textile design, apparel / merchandising, or related field preferred.
• 2+ years experience in designing, managing and manipulating surface designs on textiles.
• Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities: Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the proven ability to communicate with all levels across the organization. Strong team player with the ability to build and maintain good rapport with both internal and external customers to handle situations with confidence and tact. Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, and concurrently manage multiple projects. Flexible, adaptable with the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines in a fast paced environment. Strong sensory skills, such as good eyesight, good hearing, and dexterity. Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers, fax machines, and phones. Overseas and domestic travel required as necessary.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the proven ability to communicate with all levels across the organization.
• Strong team player with the ability to build and maintain good rapport with both internal and external customers to handle situations with confidence and tact.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, and concurrently manage multiple projects.
• Flexible, adaptable with the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines in a fast paced environment.
• Strong sensory skills, such as good eyesight, good hearing, and dexterity.
• Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers, fax machines, and phones.
• Overseas and domestic travel required as necessary.

Skills

• Excellent CAD skills in Adobe Illustrator required.
• Skills in Adobe Photoshop, CLO 3D or other design software a plus.
• Strong hand-sketching and artistic ability.
• Strong color sense and visual acuity.
• Knowledge of fabrics and textile print industry.
• Knowledge of FlexPLM or other PLM software a plus.

Benefits

We are proud of the competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefit package provided to our associates and their families. Our compensation package is designed to meet our associates today and help them plan for the future. Health Benefits: Vera Bradley offers a variety of medical, dental and vision programs to meet your family’s health care needs. Medical plan options including both a HDHP/HSA plan and a PPO plan. Dental, Vision, Flexible spending accounts, Survivor Benefits, Life insurance provides peace of mind for your family should the unexpected happen. Employer provided 2X your salary in life insurance, Accidental Death and Disability insurance, Voluntary life insurance for you, your spouse and your children, Income Protection: If you are unable to work due to illness or injury Vera Bradley provides several programs to protect your income at no cost to you. Short-term disability, Long-term disability, Retirement Plan: The Vera Bradley 401k plan helps you accumulate savings for retirement 401k with generous company match, immediate vesting (age and service requirement), Strong line up of professionally managed funds, Safe-harbor plan design, Paid Time Off: Enjoy generous time off programs. Earn up to 3 weeks of paid time off in your first year of employment with opportunity to earn more, 9 paid holidays a year, Paid bereavement leave, Give Back Opportunities: Vera Bradley offers the opportunity to serve your community. Voluntary Time Off, Holistic Wellness: Access to a variety of financial, physical, and mental wellness experts, Employee Assistance Program with access to work/life wellness support including no cost unlimited telephonic counseling services, Opportunities for leadership development, skill development and career advancement, Product Discount: Generous employee discount on Vera Bradley products, Ancillary Benefits and Programs: Bonus opportunity, identity protection, legal services, pet insurance, cell phone discount, employee referral bonus, annual birthday gift, DailyPay, corporate fitness facility and individual policies through Aflac, Equal Opportunity Employer/Vets/Disabled Vera Bradley is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer. Vera Bradley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.