Special Projects Design Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description:

General Function:
The Sr. Designer will be responsible for interacting with our licensors to understand their brands and their targeted core customers. This position will be charged with creating and managing sketches for all the brands' new eyewear collections. The candidate will work in close collaboration with the brand team, product development team and the other designers in NY and in our Italian HQ.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
" Develop and prepare sketches of new eyewear concepts based on the specifications set per the licensor requests.
" Work closely with product development and line planning teams in N.A. and Italy to research and develop proprietary and innovative construction details hardware, material combinations, new production/design, techniques, etc.).
" Create fully resolved sketchbooks and renderings in Illustrator for presentation to licensors.
" Proficiency in generating fully detailed technical drawings inclusive of section drawings, exploded views and notes for prototyping.
" Assist in the prototype and CAD assessment/revisions and follow up to ensure accurate translation of drawings and support product development.
" Trend interpretation based on overall N.A. eyewear and fashion trends; interpreting current and future industry trends.
" Provides direction on product concepts that meet the collection strategy and incorporate N.A. trends.
" Analyze domestic and competitive markets to identify new products and market trends while maintaining the brand identity and business strategy.
" Leads explorative development of materials and techniques in strict collaboration with N.A. development and line planning team.
" Actively participates in industry conferences and trade shows.

Basic Qualifications:
" Bachelor's degree of Industrial Design from accredited college or university
" Minimum 5 years of design experience with specialty retailer or distribution/sales environment with working knowledge of the production process
" Experience in luxury accessories (eyewear is preferred, but also jewelry hardware, fashion accessories)
" Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written)
" Project management skills
" Full proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, 3D Modeling (Rhinoceros or similar) and 3D rendering (Keyshot)
" Past or current experiences in a sales distribution business and exposure to Italian culture and language proficiency are a plus.
" Domestic and International travel maybe required