Junior Product Designer and Developer - Home Accessories

The Rowen Partnership; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Generous holiday allowance

Company bonus scheme

Long-service awards

Employee discounts

Complimentary breakfasts and lunches

Private healthcare insurance

Job summary

Rowen & Wren is seeking a Junior Product Designer & Developer to join our Product team, with a focus on soft goods and home accessories. You will translate concepts into designs, create sketches and technical briefs, and collaborate with Brand and Product teams to develop commercially viable products.

You should have a few years’ experience, a relevant degree, and a strong portfolio. Proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign is expected, with an openness to using AI tools.

Qualifications

• Professional experience in product design or development within homeware.
• Degree in Product Design, Textile Design or related discipline.
• Strong portfolio showing concepts through sampling.
• Experience creating tech packs; proficient with Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign.
• Experience reviewing samples and coordinating with makers/suppliers.
• Understanding of quality, packaging, labelling and manufacturability costs.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills; able to manage multiple developments.
• Familiarity with AI tools and curiosity about applying them.

Responsibilities

• Design & range development for soft goods and home accessories.
• Create hand-drawn and digital sketches, tech packs and supplier briefs.
• Maintain specifications, material lists and packaging details.
• Collaborate with Brand and Product teams; develop product samples.
• Support sampling reviews and address issues with Product Manager.

Skills

Product design

Product development

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

AI awareness

Education

Product Design or Textile Design degree

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

Job description

Rowen & Wren

Junior Product Designer & Developer – Home Accessories

At Rowen & Wren, we take pride in creating considered collections that blend quiet elegance with enduring quality. Every product we bring into the world is a reflection of our design-led ethos, each carefully considered, timeless, and made to last. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for a Junior Product Designer & Developer to join our close-knit Product team, with a particular focus on soft goods and home accessories.

This role is a unique opportunity for someone with a few years’ experience who delights in the journey from first idea to a fully formed piece ready for our customers’ homes. You’ll help create and develop textiles, decorative accessories and other small homeware, ensuring each product reflects the Rowen & Wren ethos and moves smoothly through the seasonal critical path.

Reporting to the Product Manager, you’ll work closely with our Brand and Product teams and global family of makers to turn thoughtful ideas into considered, commercially viable products. With guidance, you’ll develop your practical understanding of materials and making, taking greater ownership as your confidence and technical knowledge grow.

Responsibilities:

• Design & Range Development
  • Translate seasonal concepts into resolved designs and product briefs for soft goods and home accessories.
  • Create hand-drawn and digital sketches, technical drawings, colourways and detailed supplier briefs to guide sampling and production.
  • Consider proportion, materiality, colour, pattern, construction, trim and finish throughout the process, ensuring each product sits comfortably within the Rowen & Wren family.
  • Research relevant trends, materials, techniques and colour directions to inform seasonal developments.

• Product Development & Sampling
  • Help create and maintain clear specifications and tech packs covering materials, dimensions, construction, finishes, packaging, labelling and care information.
  • Liaise with makers, suppliers and sourcing partners to develop samples, communicate comments and refine products through sampling.
  • Contribute to sample reviews, identifying design, construction, quality or usability issues and exploring cost-effective, manufacturable solutions with the Product Manager.
  • Support the Product Manager in keeping developments on track, maintaining accurate sample records, comments and approvals.

• Quality & Product Administration
  • Support product testing and compliance, filing specifications, reports and relevant certifications accurately and escalating where guidance is needed.
  • Contribute to the review of packaging, labelling and care instructions so they meet functional and aesthetic requirements.
  • Document and archive design iterations, product information and samples in an organised, accessible format, and support improvements to existing products.

• Collaboration
  • Take part in design reviews and cross-functional meetings throughout the development cycle.
  • Work closely with Brand and the wider Product team to share accurate details and support the considered presentation and launch of each piece.
  • Build collaborative relationships with makers and suppliers, ensuring they understand our design intent, specifications and quality expectations.
  • Contribute to the wider team’s ongoing exploration of how AI can be used thoughtfully to enhance the way we work.

The Successful Candidate Will Have:

• A solid foundation of professional experience in product design, product development or a role combining the two, ideally within homeware, interiors, soft goods or accessories.
• A degree or equivalent qualification in Product Design, Textile Design or a related discipline; equivalent experience will also be considered.
• A refined, understated portfolio showing products developed from concept through sampling, plus an understanding of soft goods or accessories construction and materials.
• Some experience creating technical drawings, specifications or tech packs, with confidence using Adobe Illustrator and familiarity with Photoshop and InDesign.
• Some experience reviewing samples, communicating clear comments and working with makers or suppliers.
• An awareness of quality, testing, packaging and labelling, and of how cost, lead time and manufacturability influence decisions.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple developments accurately and work collaboratively.
• Some familiarity with AI tools, alongside a genuine curiosity about how they might thoughtfully support the way we work

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid working: enjoy the opportunity to work from home on Mondays and Fridays.
• Generous holiday allowance
• Company bonus scheme
• Long-service awards
• Employee discounts
• Complimentary breakfasts and lunches on-site from Monday to Thursday
• Private healthcare insurance