Designer

At Designer Brands, we are the proud parent company of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Rubino, operating nearly 675 stores across North America and a billion-dollar digital commerce business. We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Topo Athletic, Keds, Vince Camuto, Kelly & Katie, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Mix No. 6, Crown Vintage, and others. With expertise in design, production, and sourcing, we create on-trend footwear and accessories, delivered through a robust omni-channel infrastructure and national wholesale distribution.

At Designer Brands, we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, where each employee’s unique perspective contributes to our success. Anchored by our core values of “We Love What We Do,” “We Own What We Do,” “We Do What’s Right,” and “We Belong,” we continuously drive forward together, building a future where everyone can put their best foot forward.

About the Role

At Designer Brands, great design starts with curiosity, creativity, and a deep understanding of the customer. As a Designer, you'll play a key role in bringing innovative footwear concepts to life, translating brand vision into products that are commercially relevant, trend-informed, and true to the brand aesthetic. In this role, you'll partner closely with cross-functional teams across design, development, and production to create compelling products that resonate with consumers and help drive business growth. From concept through final product execution, you'll have the opportunity to influence seasonal collections, explore new market opportunities, and contribute ideas that shape the future of the brand.

For experienced designers who enjoy balancing creativity with execution, this role offers the chance to make a visible impact while collaborating with talented teams around the globe. This position may also provide the opportunity to mentor and support Assistant and/or Associate Designers.

Responsibilities

• Design Concept Development & Creative Execution
  • Apply market research, trend insights, seasonal direction, and business objectives to develop innovative and commercially relevant product concepts.
  • Create original footwear designs that align with brand aesthetic and customer expectations.
  • Develop illustrations, digital renderings, technical drawings, and CADs using Illustrator and Photoshop.
  • Present new concepts, design direction, materials, and product ideas to stakeholders with clarity and confidence.
  • Partner with the Design Director to determine line coloration, material selection, and seasonal design storytelling.
• Product Development & Technical Design
  • Develop and manage design specifications, technical packages (tech packs), and product documentation.
  • Communicate with overseas development partners, including leather and fabric teams, to support product execution.
  • Review prototypes and samples, providing timely updates and revisions to tech packs based on agreed-upon changes.
  • Ensure all designs adhere to brand standards, digital template guidelines, and established product calendars.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with production teams to develop products that align with target pricing, customer expectations, and market positioning.
  • Collaborate closely with design, development, and production partners to ensure design intent is consistently reflected throughout the product creation process.
  • Support peers and sales teams to help ensure seasonal initiatives and product launches run smoothly.
  • Build strong working relationships across teams, contributing to a collaborative and solution-oriented environment.
• Project Management & Business Partnership
  • Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, balancing creativity, quality, and deadlines.
  • Proactively anticipate project needs and prioritize work effectively to achieve key milestones and critical delivery dates.
  • Prepare and deliver presentations that clearly communicate design vision, creative rationale, and product direction.
• Leadership & Team Development
  • Coach, mentor, and support one or two Assistant Designers when applicable, encouraging growth, development, and team success.
• Travel
  • Travel internationally as needed.
  • Attend trade shows, industry events, and other business-related meetings as required.

Requirements

• Design & Industry Expertise
  • Ability to leverage market research, trend forecasting, consumer insights, and industry knowledge to contribute to seasonal design direction and product development.
  • Strong understanding of foundational design principles and footwear construction.
  • Ability to sketch, create CADs, and translate concepts into commercially viable products.
• Collaboration & Communication
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and global partners.
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, team-oriented approach.
  • Professional and customer-focused mindset with strong relationship-building skills.
• Organization & Execution
  • Strong organizational, time management, prioritization, and project management skills.
  • High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
  • Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Technical Skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Advanced working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of related footwear design experience.
• Experience creating technical drawings, tech packs, CADs, and merchandising boards.
• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience, in Footwear Design, Fashion Design, or Industrial Design (in order of preference).

Benefits

• Your Sole Well-Being: Free virtual health care, robust family/fertility benefits, 401(k) with company match, and more.
• Stride with Flexibility: Hybrid and remote work opportunities.
• Stepping Up Your Career: Training programs, professional development, and education assistance.
• We are Shoe-Obsessed: 30% off at DSW & DSW.com, plus discounts across our family of brands.

Pay

The successful candidate's actual pay rate offer will consider a wide range of job-related factors including skill sets, years and nature of relevant experience, training, pay rates of associates in similar positions, the candidate's location, and other organizational needs. The estimated hiring pay range is $93,000.00 - $142,000.00 per year. This position may also be eligible for additional incentive compensation, such as bonuses or other forms of variable pay, subject to applicable program requirements and company discretion.