Lead Designer, PD, Softlines, GC

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Key Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Design Manager in developing and managing the creative output from licensees, ensuring product innovation, brand consistency, and compelling execution within a commercial context for the China market, with a key focus on Softline Fashion Key Accounts.
  • Oversee the creation and implementation of design concepts, ensuring they meet brand guidelines, project requirements, and user needs.
  • Manage creative relationships with internal and external partners, providing inspiration and ensuring product is brand appropriate and adheres to Disney guidelines.
  • Regularly conduct design reviews to assess project progress, identify potential issues, and recommend solutions to ensure timely delivery of high-quality designs.
  • Manage and execute where required, the internal approval process from initiation to production in a timely manner.
  • Ensure all licensee product submissions are routed through Disney’s Online Product Approval system (OPA) as per global product integrity guidelines.
  • Ensure all new and existing licensees/retailers are trained and kept up to date on the Disney brand, property portfolio, creative assets and approval systems.
  • Provide compelling Product Design and Development workshops/ co-creation plannings,  guidance, feedback, and support to licensees throughout the Product Design and Development process while ensuring licensees are provided with appropriate creative assets and style guides.
  • Offer creative input and trend direction to inspire licensees/retailers and help drive quality product based on APAC market/industry/consumer trends research
• Identify new product and business opportunities, produce first class conceptual designs and pitch to prospective/existing partners.
• Develop and maintain an expert knowledge of Disney’s characters, films, properties, heritage and creative assets to assist in their usage on consumer products.
• Report key product progress updates on a weekly basis and regularly archive product development images.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and design best practices, and incorporate them into the design process.
• Manage and organize digital assets, including design files, images, and other creative resources, to ensure accessibility and version control.
• Contribution to bi-annual franchise workshop projects and other ad-hoc projects such as marketing program / tie-in promotions, artworks & special projects as the business requires.
• Recruit and train freelance character artists, designers well versed in Disney standards for special projects, when needed.
• Sample management & selection for internal/external presentations and support seasonal display updates, managing temporary workers.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion / Graphic Design related.
• 3-6 years of experience in fashion design or graphic design.
• Work experience in a big fashion group is a plus. Strong graphic skills with creative drawings and re-design is essential.
• Excellent spoken and written English skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex concepts clearly & to effectively present design ideas to internal/external stakeholders at all levels.
• Committed to excellence with attention to detail, and sensitive consumer experience.
• Design expertise in fashion products development or visual design.
• Advanced knowledge of trends within the industry of Fashion and the broader world of design with working knowledge of common manufacturing techniques and their application in production.
• Able to set up or refine product development processes with a good understanding of product planning cycles.
• Passion for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars brands.
• Enthusiastic team player with cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across APAC.
• Product/market/trend research skills.
• Strong project and time management skills.

• A creative flair and be able to work in a highly innovative and dynamic environment.

• Advanced knowledge of Mac OSX, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Keynote, and PowerPoint or other industry-standard tools.
• Experience with 3D, 3D CLO, video work programs is a plus.
• Flexible to domestic and/international travel as business requires.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. We are committed to building a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

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