Freelance Footwear Designer: Viral Trends & Range Builder

URBN Urban Outfitters, Inc.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 64,575 - 101,475; Full time

Job summary

URBN Urban Outfitters, Inc. is seeking a highly skilled Freelance Footwear Designer to join on a contract basis. The role blends commercial viability with street-level trend forecasting and deep footwear construction expertise for UO’s pricing architecture.

You will spot viral trends, develop factory-ready tech packs, and collaborate with teams to build a balanced, market-ready footwear range across boots, sneakers, and casual styles.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of footwear design experience in fast-fashion, contemporary youth, or lifestyle footwear.
• Deep understanding of footwear construction, last development, outsoles, materials and manufacturing processes.
• Proven ability to identify viral shoe trends early and adapt rapidly for a young consumer base.
• Ability to design into strict pricing architectures and target margins without compromising aesthetics.

Responsibilities

• Spot and react quickly to viral footwear trends and social micro-trends for commercial, brand-right footwear.
• Create detailed, factory-ready technical packs with specs, construction details, colorways and material callouts.
• Collaborate with product teams to design within price points and margin targets while maintaining brand aesthetics.
• Review tech packs and prototypes with developers and factories, providing clear correction notes.
• Build a balanced footwear range across key UO categories to strengthen the offering.

Skills

Footwear design

Trend forecasting

Commercial awareness

Brand alignment

Communication

Job description

URBN Urban Outfitters, Inc. is seeking a highly skilled Freelance Footwear Designer to join on a contract basis. The role blends commercial viability with street-level trend forecasting and deep footwear construction expertise for UO’s pricing architecture.

You will spot viral trends, develop factory-ready tech packs, and collaborate with teams to build a balanced, market-ready footwear range across boots, sneakers, and casual styles.