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Native Shoes logo
Organization
Job Title
Product Designer
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia
Country
Canada
Region
Canada
Position type
Permanent
Category
Footwear
Job Function
Design - Fashion / Product
Experience level
Mid to Senior Level
Education level
Bachelor's Degree

Product Designer

Fun - Creative - Honest - Accessible - Respectful

Existing as our company mantra, Native Shoes strives to embody each of these words in all aspects of our brand. We engage in a fast paced, ever-evolving working environment with plenty of room for innovative thinking — encouraging honesty and challenge in a comfortable workplace. If any of the above words resonate with you, this is the place to be.

Some facts about our workplace include:

  • Our office is a tech-savvy, open environment. People are encouraged to be collaborative, mobile, and paperless.
  • We take fun seriously. Our in-house fun-committee is always cooking up a new event: catered lunches, bowling, museums, creative lectures to name a few. Did we mention "Beer Friday"...?
  • Your dog can come hang! We’ve already got a couple pooches in the office, why not bring yours!
  • Inspiring creativity. We host periodic creative sessions to spur the next big idea -- all departments are welcome!
  • No idea is a bad idea. With individual, department, and cross-functional meetings, communication is open and transparent. Add in a monthly town hall meeting and you’ve got yourself a tight-knit team.

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Basic Function: The Product Designer will be responsible for driving research, ideation, innovation, and design of Native product from conceptualization through to commercialization, ensuring that designs elevate the brand aesthetic, product performance, and appeal to target consumers. This position works closely with the Product Developers and Technical Developers, proactively following the execution of all product details through the development stage, including form, style, detail, colour and cost/value requirements, to realize design vision and innovation in all new products.

Specific Duties: 

  • Partner with design leadership to implement brand product vision and direction
  • Deliver original and innovative designs that meet Native’s product DNA and aesthetic 
  • Research and forecast market, materials, and trends 
  • Sketch line and components based on line plan, conceptual direction, design briefs, and corporate product strategies
  • Recommend new and innovative materials or construction methods
  • Visually communicate and present designs and concepts using 2D and 3D presentation tools 
  • Assemble and maintain trend, inspiration, colour, and reference boards
  • Deliver detailed drawings of new design concepts to Product Developers for spec creation
  • Deliver accurate drawings of outsole, new technology or other molded pieces, details or hardware parts
  • Assist in product review and revisions throughout the development process, providing feedback to Developers that ensures prototypes meet design intent
  • Work collaboratively with Developers to select materials for the line that achieve target cost, MOQ, functionality, innovation, and elevation of the product
  • Review technical drawings, maquettes, and prototypes while refining design as needed
  • Develop seasonal colour palettes based on creative direction 
  • Assemble print design briefs for hand off to Art Department, based on seasonal inspiration
  • Initial colourway layout for collection that meet objectives for the style and season, based on master SKU plan; management of visual line plan document

Qualifications:

  • 2-4 years experience working in footwear product design and development (experience within Athletic or Lifestyle categories preferred)
  • Post-secondary degree in Industrial Design or related design field. Equivalent industry experience will also be considered

Technical Abilities:

  • Ability to read and understand 2D blueprint drawings, 3D design program skills a plus
  • Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop and Illustrator
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office 
  • Comfortable with Mac operating systems and drawing tools
  • Knowledge of footwear construction methods, patterns, fit, function and materials
  • Knowledge of manufacturing processes, plastics and other footwear engineering materials

Personal Characteristics:

  • Passion for design and footwear
  • Excellent sketching and ideation ability 
  • Strong presentation and communication skills
  • Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines
  • Creative problem solving skills
  • Organized and detail oriented
  • Thrives in an unstructured environment
  • Excellent project management skills and ability to adhere to project timelines
  • Proven ability to independently organize and prioritize tasks and workload
  • Takes direction and responds favourably to change
  • Assumes ownership and accountability for projects