The Role
Support the Design team across the product lifecycle: create mood, trend and fabric boards; conduct trend research; manage and organise samples and sample rooms; assist with product design, trimming, mock-ups and produce detailed design specification packs to inform development.
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 Trainee Assistant Designer, you’ll provide general support to the Design team wherever needed, contributing to the successful delivery of the design process from concept to completion through the critical path.
Key Accountabilities:
- Creation of up to date mood, trend and fabric boards, company palette and trend books, effective management of these to support Design development discussions
- Conduct research projects and provide relevant and timely trend insights to inform Design development discussions
- Management of samples, including organisation of sample rooms and racking up for meetings
- Assisting with product design, customising, trimming and mocking up of samples, producing detailed design specification packs
Key experience required:
- This is an entry level role, no previous work experience is required unless work experience used as a substitute for studies/qualification
- Qualifications or studies relevant to Design are essential
- Must be able to provide a portfolio of Design work
Job role competencies
- Foundational Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills are essential
- Foundational Product Development skills
- Strong organisation skills
- Strong verbal communication skills
- Curiosity and capacity to learn
- Self-starter
- Action-oriented
- Adaptable
- Takes initiative
- Highly creative
- Passion for RI brand and customer
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.
☀️ 23 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.
☀️ 23 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
- Entry level; no previous work experience required
- Qualifications or studies relevant to Design
- Portfolio of Design work
- Foundational Adobe Illustrator skills
- Foundational Adobe Photoshop skills
- Foundational Product Development skills
- Strong organisation skills
- Strong verbal communication skills
- Curiosity and capacity to learn
- Self-starter
- Action-oriented
- Adaptable
- Takes initiative
- Highly creative
- Passion for the River Island brand and customer
Am I A Good Fit?
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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.








