An Assistant Designer is a professional who provides support and assistance to designers in various creative industries such as fashion, graphic design, interior design, or industrial design. They collaborate closely with senior designers to help bring their creative vision to life. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Assistant Designers.

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Main Responsibilities of an Assistant Designer

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Assistant Designer:

Aid

• Aid Design team in the preparation of presentations to global regions / accounts.

• Aid Product Design team in the preparation of presentations to global and regional accounts.

Analyze

• Analyze and troubleshoot product issues in a timely fashion.

• Analyze with Manager on past best sellers and worst sellers for future development.

Assist in

• Assist Design Director with buy meeting prep.

• Assist design team in maintaining / organizing styles, trims, and development library.

• Assist in all presentation preparations and during presentations.

• Assist in conducting market research and competitor analysis.

• Assist in conducting research and gathering inspiration for design projects.

• Assist in coordinating with suppliers and manufacturers.

• Assist in creating and updating design documentation and specifications.

• Assist in creating design briefs and proposals.

• Assist in creating design guidelines and style manuals.

• Assist in developing and researching of initial design, fabric & trim concepts.

• Assist in establishing color and concept for each season.

• Assist in maintaining and organizing sample and material closets.

• Assist in maintaining and updating design software and tools.

• Assist in maintaining / organizing styles, trims, and development library.

• Assist in managing project timelines and deadlines.

• Assist in off-calendar projects, Agility / Speed projects.

• Assist in preparing presentation boards.

• Assist in reviewing and revising designs based on feedback and requirements.

• Assist in selecting materials, colors, and textures for designs.

• Assist team on achieving all seasonal design calendar deadlines and milestones.

• Assist the Design team in the development of tech packs.

• Assist the Design team to prep for key milestones.

• Assist the Sr Designer on developing seasonal ideas, creating sketches, and building tech packs.

• Assist with fittings, keeps details notes and provides input / feedback as necessary.

• Assist with preparation of color and material boards as needed for presentations.

• Assist with the creation and development of color, concept presentation boards.

Attend

• Attend all meetings and keep detailed notes.

• Attend weekly Design Team meetings.

Audit

Audit systems, processes, and products.

Build

• Build 3D models using SolidWorks.

• Build and maintain hardware and spec libraries.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as marketing or production to ensure design integrity.

• Collaborate with design team and cross-divisional partners.

• Collaborate with Design team to establish color and concept for each season.

• Collaborate with Men's and Women's Merchandising team.

• Collaborate with Merchandising team of specific needs and updates on seasonal Deck.

• Collaborate with photographers or stylists for photo shoots.

• Collaborate with senior designers to develop design concepts and sketches.

• Collaborate with the design team on ad-hoc tasks and projects.

Communicate

• Communicate daily with internal and overseas offices.

• Communicate in a variety of mediums.

• Communicate with the CAD team to execute knit patterns seasonally.

• Communicate with vendors to receive proto samples and trim submits in a timely fashion.

Complete

Complete technical drawings to send out for manufacture.

Conduct

• Conduct engineering analyses, evaluations, tests and draws conclusions / recommendations.

• Conduct market research for seasonal product development.

• Conduct quality control checks on design outputs.

• Conduct studies as directed.

Contribute to

• Contribute to print, pattern, and CAD work needed for style development.

• Contribute to the development of design presentations and mood boards.

Coordinate

• Coordinate and prepares new development hand off with the Tech and Design team.

• Coordinate fit / styling prep and actively participate in these meetings.

• Coordinate the preparation of presentations.

Create

• Create and update sketches and CADs.

• Create detailed technical drawings and specifications.

• Create detailed tech-packs and communicate artwork needs to CAD team.

• Create seasonal boards for reviews with leadership.

• Create tech packs and maintain accurate updates in Centric system.

• Create viable brand appropriate designs through CAD for Dress shirt.

Develop

Develop new trims and buttons.

Ensure

Ensure timely development of line by adhering to time and action calendar.

Execute

• Execute detailed tech packs under the senior design team's guidance.

• Execute sketches and specs to communicate designs to factories.

Fabric

Fabric and factory vendors, print and embellishment studios.

Follow-up

• Follow-up on deliverables and deadlines with all cross-functional partners throughout the season.

• Follow-up on information pertinent to specifications and orders.

Gather

Gather information and conduct research.

Help

• Help maintain linesheets and color palettes.

• Help merchandise and set up product for buyer line review.

• Help to maintain and update linesheets that are used cross-functionally.

• Help with managing design archives and portfolios.

• Help with managing design files and version control.

• Help with managing design projects within allocated budgets.

• Help with organizing and maintaining design libraries and databases.

• Help with preparing and organizing design presentations.

Initiate

• Initiate and manage seasonal trim submit binders.

• Initiate and research design standards.

• Initiate tech packs and updates in Centric throughout all stages of design development process.

Input

Input Design information into PLM seasonally.

Investigate

Investigate the effectiveness of changes in procedures, designs, or materials.

Keep

• Keep abreast of industry trends, new materials, and emerging design techniques.

• Keep up to date on new software, upgrades, technology that can be used within the department.

Maintain

• Maintain and update Assortment Line boards for multiple Women's Ready to Wear Brands.

• Maintain and update Assortment Line boards for multiple Women�s Ready to Wear Brands.

• Maintain organized sample closet and past submit library.

Make

Make compelling Digital product presentations to Sales and Cross Functional Teams.

Manage

• Manage and maintain trim and development library.

• Manage changes to designs and information that is sent to Merchandising and development teams.

• Manage own workload and time to meet development deadlines.

• Manage / track the inspirational sample library.

Participate in

• Participate in color, knitdown and style approvals.

• Participate in departmental and cross-departmental meetings as appropriate.

• Participate in design brainstorming and problem-solving sessions.

• Participate in design meetings and provide input and feedback.

• Participate in trend research with design team.

• Participate reviews Dress shirt pattern work with the Raw Materials team.

Plan

• Plan and organize activities / projects to meet section and organizational goals.

• Plan, facilitate and / or execute assigned design projects.

Prepare

• Prepare all proposal packages.

• Prepare all schedules, work in progress reports and other reports as required by designers.

• Prepare design presentations for review meetings.

• Prepare materials for meetings and presentations in a timely, organized manner.

• Prepare spec packages for factories.

Process

Process purchase orders and expedites, as needed.

Produce

• Produce 3D renderings using KeyShot.

• Produce hand sketches and ideas.

Provide

• Provide both creative and practical support to designers.

• Provide general support to Design Principal and Design Team on executing special assignments.

Receive

Receive all requests for user moves and oversees scheduling, execution and vendor management.

Research

• Research concepts, materials and color trends.

• Research for new ideas and inspirational concepts.

• Research for product development, styling, details and trims.

• Research reference drawings for structural details.

• Research trends and competitive brands.

Review

• Review all Dress shirt H / E, Lab Dips and H / L NYO approval with Manager.

• Review and comment on Lab Dips, Fabric, Art, and Trim submits.

• Review and interpret existing conditions, drawings, specifications, and material submissions.

• Review for proper lead time, pricing delivery and freight costs.

• Review with Manager SKU plans to formulate needed design work for upcoming season.

Seek

Seek innovation through vintage research, market research, and on-line research.

Stay abreast of

• Stay abreast of current and emerging trends via retailing, web sites, trend services and editorials.

• Stay aware of current trends as they relate to underwear.

Support

• Support and collaborate with design team in all accessories categories.

• Support concept designer in print / pattern development and color up.

• Support Designer III in all fittings.

• Support design team in all presentation preparations and during presentations.

• Support design team in maintaining / organization of styles, trims, and development library.

• Support design team in strategy / concept and line adoption stages.

• Support design team on preparing for seasonal presentations.

• Support in conducting user testing and gathering feedback on designs.

• Support in creating digital assets or graphics for online platforms.

• Support in creating visual assets for marketing or promotional materials.

• Support initiating Neckwear blankets with Mills in seasonal colours.

• Support in preparing and organizing design exhibitions or shows.

• Support in the development of presentation decks, merchandising decks.

• Support the creation and development of the category into marketable product line.

• Support the Design Director with preparation of the trend report.

• Support the design team in CAD and PLM throughout all stages in design development.

• Support the design team in creating prototypes or samples.

• Support the Sr Designer in fittings.

• Support the Sr Designer on preparing for seasonal presentations.

Take

• Take corrective action that will not result in financial liability or cause delivery delays.

• Take direction from the Manager and expands on direction / inspiration.

• Take initiative, embrace change, adapt to learning new concepts and procedures.

• Take trend and market research and works innovative designs into brand appropriate styles.

Track

Track, receive and correct samples.

Understand

• Understand and apply relevant laws and regulations.

• Understand the overall aesthetic direction of the Tommy Hilfiger brand and consumer base.

Update

• Update and keep organized various binders for fabrics / CADs / fit notes / trims / artwork.

• Update CADs & BOM's after meetings and produce recaps.

• Update changes to sketches, presentation boards, and tech packs.

• Update, maintain, and create Tech Packs in PLM.

• Update, maintains, and create tech packs in Centric.

Upkeep

Upkeep design studio tidiness by organizing binders, design cards, and other design materials.

Use

Use office technology, software and applications.

Utilize

• Utilize Illustrator / Photoshop to create art work for trim development.

• Utilize problem-solving skills to find effective solutions to day-to-day problems that arise.

Work with

• Work and communicate daily with cross functional teams from development to final product.

• Work closely with graphic artist to develop exclusive graphic Tee programs.

• Work cross channels with Global Supply Chain partners for follow up on the development of product.

• Work with GTM timelines, processes and deliverables.

• Work with manager to filter down to best selection.

• Work with Merchandising team (both global and regional) for follow up of specific needs.

• Work with Merchandising team on follow up of specific needs.

• Work with Supply to execute final bulk production.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Assistant Designer:

1. Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or CAD software.

2. Strong knowledge of design principles, including color theory, typography, and layout.

3. Ability to create detailed technical drawings and specifications.

4. Knowledge of materials, fabrics, and production techniques relevant to the specific industry.

5. Understanding of design trends and the ability to translate them into creative concepts.

6. Familiarity with prototyping tools and techniques.

7. Basic knowledge of manufacturing processes and production constraints.

8. Ability to create digital assets and graphics for online platforms.

9. Proficiency in photo editing and manipulation software.

10. Understanding of printing processes and requirements.

11. Knowledge of design file formats and version control systems.

12. Ability to create design presentations and mood boards using various software tools.

13. Basic understanding of web design principles and user experience.

14. Familiarity with 3D modeling and rendering software.

15. Knowledge of product packaging design principles.

16. Ability to conduct basic market research and competitor analysis.

17. Understanding of design for different mediums, such as print, web, or mobile.

18. Familiarity with file management and organization systems.

19. Proficiency in Microsoft Office or other productivity tools.

20. Basic understanding of HTML and CSS for web design.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Assistant Designer:

1. Strong communication skills for effective collaboration with the design team and clients.

Creativity and a keen eye for detail to contribute innovative ideas and ensure design excellence.

1. Time management and organizational skills to meet project deadlines and manage multiple tasks.

2. Adaptability and flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

3. Teamwork and collaboration to contribute to a positive and supportive design team culture.

4. Problem-solving skills to address design challenges and find creative solutions.

5. Strong visual and aesthetic sense to create visually appealing designs.

6. Openness to feedback and a willingness to learn and improve.

7. Strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy in design outputs.

8. Ability to work independently and take initiative when necessary.

9. Analytical thinking to understand user needs and translate them into design solutions.

10. Project management skills to coordinate and prioritize tasks effectively.

11. Presentation skills to effectively communicate design concepts and ideas.

12. Interpersonal skills to build relationships with clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders.

13. Professionalism and a strong work ethic to maintain high standards of performance and ethics.

14. Critical thinking to evaluate design choices and make informed decisions.

15. Emotional intelligence to understand and empathize with user needs and preferences.

16. Collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.

17. Adaptability to embrace new technologies, software, and design trends.

18. Continuous learning mindset to stay updated with industry advancements and acquire new skills.

Conclusion

Assistant Designer plays a crucial role in supporting the design process and contributing to the success of creative projects. Their responsibilities range from assisting in design development to collaborating with teams, managing tasks, and maintaining design integrity. Alongside technical skills in design software and knowledge of materials and production, soft skills such as creativity, communication, time management, and teamwork are essential for Assistant Designers to thrive in their roles.