Surface Designer

FUNCTION
Create surface designs that meet design objectives and contribute to achieving brand vision, translating trend and concept into production-ready prints and surface designs. Develop cohesive artwork assortments across silhouettes, categories, and channels, collaborate cross-functionally, and help mentor emerging talent, while maintaining technical excellence from concept through approval.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: Other duties may be assigned)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Create original artwork and style vintage/bought artwork to meet the design objectives and contributes to achieving brand vision that align trend, concept and business needs
• Engineer surface design repeats, placements, and complex files with technical precision, for all surface design techniques including but not limited to printing, embroidery, and embellishment. Deliver clean, production-ready artwork and maintains accountability through strike-off/sampling and approval stages
• Interpret seasonal color direction, concept and trends, elevating print and surface designs across channels and fabrications while designing thoughtfully within production parameters
• Collaborate with product design to create unique seasonal artwork that fits their silhouettes and the concept for each season
• Work with product design, product development, and material development throughout the development process to ensure artwork meets vendor, costing, and execution requirements
• Stay current on industry trends and artwork techniques
• Maintain a high level of aesthetic judgement and effectively translate trends into artwork while cohesively creating an overall artwork collection
• Foster collaboration and accountability. Model high standards and reinforce shared expectations
• Maintain art/color records in PLM (FlexPLM) and production line creation tool (VibeIQ) as well as keep the design studio artwork wall up to date
• Mentor assistant/associate surface designers, where appropriate, to complete projects on time, ensure their work meets objectives, and teach new skills
• Contribute positively to the design team dynamic by performing all tasks with a willing attitude, strong sense of urgency, and dedication to the company by creatively designing into the brand aesthetic
• Other duties as needed or assigned

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High school graduate. Bachelor's degree in textile design, graphic design, or related field preferred
• 5+ years experience in designing, managing and manipulating surface designs on textiles

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Demonstrated artistic ability to draw, sketch and illustrate
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and production-ready file standards. Proficiency in Adobe Create Suite and other design tools a plus. FlexPLM, VibeIQ, and Epson wide-format printer use experience a plus
• Experience in the fashion industry strongly preferred, strong background in surface design
• Creative eye for color
• Superior score (>16) on Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test and fluent in Pantone systems across creative and production settings
• Knowledge of textile printing, embroidery, embellishment and surface design industry
• Good Mac and/or PC skills utilizing Microsoft Office software
• Detail-oriented, well-organized and excellent time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Proactive, adaptable with the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong team player

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

• Please submit a portfolio featuring:
• Original hand-created and digital artwork
• Seamless repeat patterns
• Florals, paisley, conversational/novelty prints and supporting print designs
• Colorway development
• Border, engineered or placement artwork
• Examples of artwork applied to finished products

ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those an individual must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office environment. Utilizing an office desk - sitting, reading, listening, or speaking with the ability to move intermittently throughout the day
• Strong sensory skills, such as good eyesight, good hearing, and dexterity
• Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers, fax machines, and phones

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.

For more information, please click the following links:

Vera Bradley's Equal Employment and Affirmative Action Policy

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (in English)

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (in Spanish)

Pay Transparency (in English)

Pay Transparency (in Spanish)

E-Verify Participation Poster

Right to Work Poster (English)

Right to Work Poster (Spanish)

California Privacy Notice

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment application process, please send an e-mail to View email address on click.appcast.io. Please include the accommodation you are requesting and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation and other EEO/Affirmative Action issues will be responded to from this e-mail address.

Our intention is to fill this opening within 30 days of the original posting date and applications will be accepted on an on-going basis until the position is filled.

Base Pay Range:
$66,800.00
to
$91,850.00

Vera Bradley's compensation ranges are based on market data and comply with all local, state and federal regulations. Individual pay within the listed range depends on work location, skills, experience, and relevant education. The posted salary reflects base pay only and excludes bonuses, equity, or other incentives, if applicable.