Design Assistant
Full Time | 12 Month Placement
£24,761 Per Annum
24 days annual leave + bank holidays
Starting Summer 2026 for second-year undergraduate students (year placement)
Flexible earlier start for postgraduate candidates
Be part of 240 years of British knitwear excellence
Are you a creative, detail-oriented second-year undergraduate or postgraduate design student looking to gain hands-on industry experience with a world-renowned British knitwear brand?
At John Smedley, weve been designing and crafting exceptional knitwear for over two centuries. Now, were offering an exciting 12-month Design Placement opportunity for a second-year undergraduate completing a year in industry, or a postgraduate seeking practical industry experience, to join our Design & New Product Development team.
This is your chance to bring fresh ideas to a brand steeped in heritage, supporting real projects, contributing to seasonal collections, and learning from experienced designers in the heart of Derbyshire.
What Youll Do:
Working closely with our Head of Design and the wider team, youll be involved in every stage of the creative process, from concept to production. Youll:
Support the creation of garment specifications, CAD drawings, and design documentation
Assist in developing seasonal collections including moodboards, colour palettes, and swatches
Help prepare and measure samples, attend fit sessions, and record design amendments
Liaise with internal teams to track samples and follow up on deadlines to keep projects on schedule
Contribute to sustainability and innovation projects supporting process improvements and waste reduction
Prepare presentation materials for photoshoots, product launches, and customer meetings
Maintain organised sample archives and departmental stock, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes
Able to commute 5 days a week to our Mill in Matlock, DE4
Who You Are:
A strong team player with excellent communication skills
Organised and proactive, able to manage multiple tasks and keep others on track when needed
Curious, creative, and eager to learn from a fast-paced design environment
Confident using IT tools including Microsoft Outlook and Teams
Passionate about fashion, design, knitwear and sustainability
Currently studying a Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, or Textile Design degree (knitwear specialism desirable)
Skills Youll Need:
Essential:
Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for technical CAD drawings
Competent in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
Desirable:
Familiarity with Shima APEX design software
Why John Smedley?
Be part of a globally recognised British heritage brand
Gain hands-on experience working on real design projects
Work in a collaborative, supportive, and creative environment
Access to wellbeing programmes and our in-house Culture Club activities
Discounts on hundreds of retail, travel, and leisure services
Ready to knit your future in design?
Apply now and take the first step in your creative journey with John Smedley.
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