Associate Surface Designer

verabradley; Roanoke (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Vera Bradley is seeking a surface design specialist to translate trend direction into production-ready prints for home and apparel lines. You will develop cohesive artwork across silhouettes, manage color records, and ensure artwork meets vendor and execution requirements.

The role emphasizes collaboration with product design, development, and material teams, maintaining high aesthetic standards, and staying current with industry trends to enrich the brand aesthetic.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate artistic ability to draw, sketch and illustrate
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and production-ready file standards
• Proficiency in Pantone color systems across creative and production settings
• Experience in fashion/textile surface design preferred

Responsibilities

• Create complementary and coordinating print/surface designs and recolor artwork within production parameters
• Engineer surface design repeats, placements, and complex files with technical precision
• Prepare production-ready artwork files and maintain art/color records in PLM and VibeIQ
• Collaborate with product design, development and material teams to meet vendor and costing requirements
• Stay current on industry trends and translate trends into cohesive artwork collections

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Pantone

Textile design

Mac/PC proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in textile design

Tools

FlexPLM

VibeIQ

Job description

Support the design team in creating surface designs that meet design objectives and contribute to achieving brand vision, helping translate trend and concept direction into production-ready prints and surface designs. Ass in developing cohesive artwork across silhouettes and categories, partner cross-functionally on development needs, and maintain technical accuracy from concept through approval.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: Other duties may be assigned)

• Create complementary and coordinating print/surface designs, rework layouts and repeats, and recolor artwork within production parameters
• Create style specific artwork for home, wearables and other categories
• Engineer surface design repeats, placements, and complex files with technical precision, for all surface design techniques including but not limited to printing, embroidery, and embellishment. Deliver clean, production-ready artwork and maintains accountability through strike-off/sampling and approval stages
• Prepare production ready artwork files and maintain art/color records in PLM (FlexPLM) and product line creation tool (VibeIQ) as well as keep the design studio artwork wall up to date
• Work with product design, product development, and material development throughout the development process to ensure artwork meets vendor, costing, and execution requirements
• Stay current on industry trends and artwork techniques
• Maintain a high level of aesthetic judgement and effectively translate trends into artwork while cohesively creating an overall artwork collection
• Assist with the organization and distribution of vector files and paper standards to cross functional, licensees and vendors
• Foster collaboration and accountability. Model high standards and reinforce shared expectations
• Contribute positively to the design team dynamic by performing all tasks with a willing attitude, strong sense of urgency, and dedication to the company by creatively designing into the brand aesthetic
• Other duties as needed or assigned

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

High school graduate. Bachelor's degree in textile design, graphic design, or related field preferred

2+ years experience in designing, managing and manipulating surface designs on textiles.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrate artistic ability to draw, sketch and illustrate
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and production-ready file standards. Proficiency in Adobe Create Suite and other design tools a plus. FlexPLM, VibeIQ, and Epson wide-format printer use experience a plus
• Experience in the fashion industry strongly preferred, strong background in surface design
• Creative eye for color
• Superior score (>16) on Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test and fluent in Pantone systems across creative and production settings
• Knowledge of textile printing, embroidery, embellishment and surface design industry
• Good Mac and/or PC skills utilizing Microsoft Office software
• Detail-oriented, well-organized and excellent time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Proactive, adaptable with the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong team player

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

Please submit a portfolio featuring:

• Original hand-created and digital artwork
• Seamless repeat patterns
• Florals, paisley, conversational/novelty prints and supporting print designs
• Colorway development
• Border, engineered or placement artwork
• Examples of artwork applied to finished products

ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Office environment. Utilizing an office desk - sitting, reading, listening, or speaking with the ability to move intermittently throughout the day
• Strong sensory skills, such as good eyesight, good hearing, and dexterity
• Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers, and phones

We are proud of the competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefit package provided to our associates and their families. Our compensation package is designed to meet our associates today and help them plan for the future.

Health Benefits

Vera Bradley offers a variety of medical, dental and vision programs to meet your family's health care needs.

Medical plan options including both a HDHP/HSA plan a