The Role
Design and develop accessories from concept to final product, ensuring technical quality, strong first-sample hit rates, and alignment with trends and commercial targets. Conduct market and brand research, contribute to product development discussions, and collaborate with buying teams, suppliers and mills. Maintain a portfolio and apply advanced Illustrator/Photoshop and product development skills.
Summary Generated by Built In
Our Design Team deliver stand-out, affordable fashion with the unique style and touches that underpin the River Island handwriting. As a Junior Designer, you’ll start to influence the direction for your categories, and will be accountable for full development cycle of products for inclusion in the final ranges, that represent key trends and drive commercial results.
Key Accountabilities:
- Develop product from concept to completion that represents key trends and commercial opportunities
- Through sound understanding of fabric, engineering, fit and quality, produce designs to a high technical standard, and high first sample hit rate, for the level of the market
- Through broad market and customer awareness and research, and a thorough understanding of the River Island brand, input ideas to influence Product Development discussions that address key trends and opportunities
- Start to show an understanding of sales history, sales and margin targets and range plans for your own area of accountability to ensure designs are aligned to deliver on commercial opportunities
- Starting to develop relationships and collaborate with Buying counterparts, suppliers and fabric mills, identifying opportunities for newness
Key experience required:
- Previous experience as an Assistant Designer or equivalent is essential
- Qualifications or studies relevant to Design are essential
- Must be able to provide a portfolio of Design work
Job role competencies
- Advanced Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills are essential
- Advanced Product Development skills
- Strong technical and creative design skills
- Strong organisation skills
- Strong verbal communication skills
- Foundational commercial awareness
- Strong interpersonal effectiveness and self-awareness
- Foundational network in the market and industry
- Self-starter, curious and continuous learning mindset
- Action-oriented
- Adaptable
- Resilient
- Passion for RI brand and custome
About Us
We’re a much-loved brand with an exciting future. Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together – and are proud of the work they do. Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions. This is what a career at River Island is like. And this is where yours starts.
This role is based at our Head Office in West London. Check us out here on a map.
What we can offer you:
💰 Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!
🛒 Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.
🎉 A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
🤎 Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
💻 Flexible working, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
💕 Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
🎓 Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
💰 A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.
🩺 The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA.
☀️ 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!
This role is based at our Head Office in West London. Check us out here on a map.
What we can offer you:
💰 Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!
🛒 Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.
🎉 A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
🤎 Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
💻 Flexible working, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
💕 Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
🎓 Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
💰 A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.
🩺 The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA.
☀️ 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!
Keeping You Safe
We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We expect all employees to uphold our values and contribute to a positive working environment.
Our business is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.
Our business is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.
Skills Required
- Previous experience as an Assistant Designer or equivalent
- Qualifications or studies relevant to Design
- Portfolio of Design work
- Advanced Adobe Illustrator skills
- Advanced Adobe Photoshop skills
- Advanced Product Development skills
- Strong technical and creative design skills
- Strong organisation skills
- Strong verbal communication skills
- Foundational commercial awareness
- Foundational market/industry network
- Self-starter with a continuous learning mindset
- Adaptable, resilient and action-oriented
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The Company
What We Do
Family owned from day one, we’ve been a big part of life on the UK high street for over 70 years. Today, still guided by shared values and a clear focus on our customers, we’re one of the strongest and most successful fashion brands around. And we’re changing like never before – exploring new ways to connect with our customers in person and online. And our talented Islanders are thinking differently about everything from products and stores to wellbeing and sustainability. The result is an energising culture you’ll love, work that’ll stretch you, a career you can build and a brand you’ll be proud to belong to. This is life on the island. Come and be part of it.
