Assistant Designer

JCPenney; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Term life insurance

Paid vacation/holidays

401(k) with company match

Associate discount on Catalyst Brands

Job summary

JCPenney, in New York, seeks an Assistant Designer for the Nautica line to support the design team from concept to production. You will assist with design execution, technical communication, and seasonal workflows while maintaining brand aesthetics, quality, and deadlines.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Fashion Design or related field, a strong portfolio, and skills in Illustrator/Photoshop. Experience with PLM and AI tools is a plus; this is an on-site position in NYC with competitive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field preferred.
• Portfolio required; apparel industry experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing seasonal concepts, color palettes, prints, and silhouettes.
• Create and update technical sketches and flats using Adobe Illustrator.
• Support fabric, trim, and color selection and mood boards.
• Create tech packs and track revisions throughout development.
• Coordinate with Merchandising, Technical Design, and Production teams.

Skills

Sketching

Illustration

Organizational skills

Strong written and verbalCommunication

Miro collaboration

AI ideation tools knowledge

Garment construction knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

PLM

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Assistant Designer

Department: Design
Location: New York, NY

Position Overview

The Assistant Designer, Nautica, supports the design team in the development of apparel collections from concept through production. This role is highly collaborative and detail-oriented, assisting with design execution, technical communication, and seasonal workflow while helping maintain brand aesthetic, quality, and timeline standards.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Creative Support

• Assist in developing seasonal concepts, color palettes, prints, and silhouettes aligned with brand direction
• Create and update technical sketches and flats using Adobe Illustrator
• Support designers in fabric, trim, and color selection
• Assist in mood boards, presentations, and line reviews
• Utilize platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and digital collaboration tools (e.g., Miro) for inspiration and ideation

Product Development

• Create and maintain accurate tech packs, including measurements, construction details, and comments
• Support fit sessions by taking notes and tracking revisions
• Assist with sample management, including logging, organizing, and reviewing samples
• Track product changes and updates throughout the development process

Collaboration & Communication

• Liaise with Merchandising, Technical Design, and Production teams to ensure design intent is executed
• Communicate clearly with overseas vendors and factories as directed
• Support timeline management to ensure deadlines are met

Administrative & Operational Support

• Organize design files, boards, and reference libraries
• Update seasonal line plans, BOMs, and internal tracking tools
• Assist with market research, trend research, and competitive analysis

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a related field preferred

Experience

• 0–2 years of experience in a design or product development role (internships included)
• Apparel industry experience strongly preferred
• Portfolio required

Skills

• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; PLM experience a plus
• Strong sketching, illustration, and organizational skills
• Understanding of Miro for collaboration with design and cross-functional teams
• Basic understanding and hands-on experience using AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Vizcom) for ideation, concept development, and design visualization
• Basic understanding of garment construction, fabrics, and fit
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Personal Attributes

• Passion for fashion and strong interest in product development
• Eager to learn, proactive, and receptive to feedback
• Team-oriented with a positive, can-do attitude
• Ability to balance creativity with structure and deadlines

Physical Requirements (if applicable)

• Ability to lift and carry samples and sample boxes
• Ability to attend fittings and seasonal reviews

What you get:

If eligible, we offer a competitive benefits package including medical/dental/vision, term life insurance, paid vacation/holidays*, and 401(k) with Company match. All associates are eligible for an associate discount on all Catalyst Brands merchandise. For paid holidays, associates who are eligible for paid vacation (MTO) are also eligible for eight paid holidays during the calendar year. All store hourly associates scheduled to work on a designated holiday will receive additional compensation. *For paid vacation days, as well as eligibility requirements for other benefits, please visit www.catalystbrandsbenefits.com

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Pay Range

USD $55,000.00 - USD $66,300.00 /Yr.