Job Description
Title: Senior Textile Designer
Location: Welham Green, Hertfordshire
Position type: Full-time, Permanent and Studio-based
Salary: Competitive
About us
Ashley Wilde Group (AWG), established in 1950, is a leading textile and soft furnishings company based in Hertfordshire. AWG, a proud family-run business, is renowned for its industry-leading designs, style, innovations and exceptional customer service.
AWG is seeking an experienced, innovative, and driven Senior Textile Designer to join our dynamic Design team. We’re looking for a creative thinker who brings fresh ideas and a strong technical expertise in textile design, with a thorough understanding of industry processes and production methods.
The ideal candidate is forward-thinking and trend-aware, with the ambition to push creative boundaries and help shape the future direction of our collections. You’ll be a collaborative team player, confident working with stakeholders at all levels and contributing positively to a supportive, high-performing environment.
Reporting to the Design Director, Laura Spencer, you will play a key role in sharing ideas, managing timelines, and overseeing budgets to ensure projects are delivered successfully and to the highest standard.
The ideal candidate will have:
* 6-8 years of experience in designing and developing fabric collections.
* A comprehensive technical knowledge of print and weave processes.
* Qualified with a degree in Textiles, Surface Design or similar.
* Excellent CAD skills (AVA, Adobe packages - Photoshop and Illustrator).
* Excellent creative judgement with a good eye for colour, layout and composition.
* The ability to adapt a design or archive artwork, e.g., amending scales, creating new colourways, confidence and knowledge in creating and adjusting repeat patterns.
* Good understanding of commercial design, relevant trends and wider market knowledge.
* Previous experience in designing readymade products, e.g. bedlinen curtains and cushions, is favourable but not essential.
* You will require a level of adaptability and patience when working on multiple brands, deadlines and approvals.
* You are confident in presenting concepts and collections.
* Ability to liaise with Directors, brand owners and buyers confidently.
* Ability to liaise efficiently with suppliers and internal departments to keep to critical paths and launch dates.
* Ability to work at a fast pace, deliver to deadlines and work well under pressure.
* You are highly motivated and able to work individually and as part of a team.
* You can communicate clearly and effectively at all times.
* Excellent organisational and time management skills.
Duties include but are not limited to;
* Work closely with brand owners, Directors, licensees, and the design team to lead the development of commercial and trend-driven soft furnishings collections.
* Work with Laura Spencer, Design Director, on collection critical paths.
* Produce clear design briefs and manage direct communication with suppliers and manufacturers, ensuring everyone is working to the critical path.
* Lead the development of multiple collections simultaneously, while applying expert knowledge of fabrics, prints, and weave processes.
* Identify seasonal trends, conduct market research and source inspiration, to then present ideas, concepts and mood boards for future collections.
* Maintain strong working relationships with brand-owners, suppliers and manufacturers.
* Prepare technical CAD files for print and production, ensuring colour accuracy and repeat integrity.
* Maintain a digital artwork library for all your design files.
* Maintain an approved product master sample library.
* Create briefs for photography and manage the process from start to finish.
* Write creative descriptions for products you have worked on e.g. where the inspiration came from, product composition and colourways.
* Liaising with suppliers globally to source new qualities, negotiate prices, develop new products and approve qualities and colours.
* Work closely with the Production team to ensure there is accuracy between the approved master samples and production samples.
* Work closely with Laura Spencer and the Brand Director, Marc Strong, on product direction for each brand.
Benefits:
* Subsidised on-site canteen
* On-site parking
* Pension
* Access to an Employee Health App
* Automatically registered for the Employee Assistance Programme.
* Staff discount on products
* Retail discounts through BrightHR
* Company social and charity events
* Based in a state-of-the-art design studio
Schedule:
* Monday to Thursday 8.30am – 5pm and Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
If you are interested in applying for this role please send your CV and examples of your work to lauras@ashleywildegroup.com