Assistant Designer, Keds

DSW-Designer Shoe Warehouse; Burlington (MA); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free virtual health care

Family/fertility benefits

401(k) with match

30% employee discount on DSW brands

Hybrid/remote work options

Job summary

Designer Brands invites an Assistant Designer to join the Keds design team in Burlington, MA. You will support the design process from concept through production, collaborating with senior designers and cross-functional teams in a hybrid onsite role.

Qualifications include 1–3 years in footwear design, a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and strong Adobe Illustrator skills (Photoshop helpful). Portfolio demonstrating 2D CAD and footwear design is required.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of footwear design experience required.
• Experience in women's fashion footwear and sneakers preferred.
• Portfolio should demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, color and material application, and footwear design process.

Responsibilities

• Design & product creation: support seasonal Keds footwear development; create/update 2D CADs with Illustrator/Photoshop; develop colorways and materials; translate concepts into production-ready designs.
• Trend research & collaboration: study trends, participate in reviews, work with cross-functional teams.
• Design operations: maintain CAD files, tech packs, design documentation, organize material library, meet milestones and deadlines.

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

Microsoft Office

Footwear design

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Footwear Design or related field

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Burlington, Massachusetts, United States

Job Description

About Designer Brands

At Designer Brands, we are the proud parent company of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Rubino, operating nearly 675 stores across North America and a billion-dollar digital commerce business. We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Topo Athletic, Keds, Vince Camuto, Kelly & Katie, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Mix No. 6, Crown Vintage, and others. With expertise in design, production, and sourcing, we create on-trend footwear and accessories, delivered through a robust omni-channel infrastructure and national wholesale distribution. At Designer Brands, we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, where each employee’s unique perspective contributes to our success. Anchored by our core values of “We Love What We Do,” “We Own What We Do,” “We Do What’s Right,” and “We Belong,” we continuously drive forward together, building a future where everyone can put their best foot forward.

ASSISTANT DESIGNER - KEDS

The Opportunity

Join the Keds Design team and help bring seasonal footwear collections to life. As an Assistant Designer, you’ll partner with the Senior Designer and Design Director to support the design process from concept through production. This is a great opportunity for a creative, detail-oriented designer who is excited to learn, contribute ideas, and grow within a collaborative footwear design environment.

This is a hybrid role based in Burlington, MA. Team members typically work onsite one day per week, with occasional requirements for up to three days per week based on business needs, team collaboration, product reviews, and key milestones throughout the design and development process.

What You’ll Be Doing

Design & Product Creation

• Support the development of seasonal Keds footwear collections.
• Create and update 2D CADs using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Develop colorways, material applications, and design updates for new and existing styles.
• Assist in translating concepts into production-ready designs.

Trend Research & Collaboration

• Research footwear, fashion, and consumer trends to inspire product development.
• Participate in concept reviews and design meetings.
• Partner with Product Development, Product Management, and Marketing teams throughout the design process.

Design Operations

• Maintain CAD files, tech packs, and design documentation.
• Assist with organization of the material library and seasonal design assets.
• Support key milestones and seasonal calendar deadlines.

What You’ll Need

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong Adobe Illustrator skills; Photoshop proficiency preferred.
• Ability to interpret feedback and apply it to design work.
• Understanding of footwear design principles, materials, and construction.
• Strong interest in women's and children's footwear trends.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, and time-management skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Qualifications

Experience

• 1-3 years of footwear design experience required.
• Experience in women's fashion footwear and women's sneakers preferred.

Education

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience, in Footwear Design, Fashion Design, Industrial Design, or a related field.
• Portfolio should demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, design thinking, color and material application, and an understanding of the footwear design process.
• A portfolio showcasing 2D CAD sketches and footwear design work is required. We’re excited to see your creative process, technical skills, and ability to bring concepts to life through thoughtful design and storytelling.

Perks and Benefits You’ll Enjoy!

• Your Sole Well-Being: Our benefits package is crafted with our associates in mind! We support you with benefits like free virtual health care, robust family/fertility benefits, 401(k) w/ match, and more. Explore our offerings at https://mymobilewalletcard.com/dbi .
• Stride with Flexibility: We offer hybrid and remote work opportunities, giving you the freedom to stay connected, productive, and inspired—wherever you do your best work.
• Stepping Up Your Career: Take advantage of training programs, professional development, and education assistance to advance your career with a company that celebrates bold ideas and fresh perspectives.
• We are Shoe-Obsessed: Because we know a great pair of shoes can change your day, you’ll enjoy 30% off at DSW & DSW.com , plus discounts across our family of brands.

Hiring Range Notification

The successful candidate's actual pay rate offer will consider a wide range of job-related factors including skill sets, years and nature of relevant experience, training, pay rates of associates in similar positions, the candidate's location, and other organizational needs. The estimated hiring pay range has been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential. This position may be eligible for additional incentive compensation, which may include bonuses, or other forms of variable pay, subject to applicable program requirements and company discretion. This range does not include benefits such as health insurance, paid or unpaid time off work, and/or retirement benefits, unless required by law. Benefits eligibility may vary based on where you work and your position. Visit https://mymobilewalletcard.com/dbi/ to learn more!

Pay Range $54,000.00 - $82,000.00 / year

Pay Transparency

Company complies with Pay Transparency rules.