Footwear Color Designer I

New Balance Athletics; Lawrence (MA); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401K

Lifestyle reimbursement

Vacation entitlement

Parental leave

Associate discount

Job summary

New Balance Athletics is seeking a Footwear Color Designer I for the running category. You will help create color, material, and graphic concepts in partnership with design, product management and development teams to bring seasonal directions to life.

A portfolio is required and collaboration across disciplines is essential. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in a related design field and 1–3 years of experience, with strong color theory, Adobe Illustrator, and presentation skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Fashion Design, Footwear Design, or related field.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in footwear, apparel, accessories, color design, graphic design, or related product creation discipline.
• Strong understanding of color theory, color application, and consumer-relevant color storytelling.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Illustrator.
• Ability to communicate design concepts clearly through visual presentations and verbal discussions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Demonstrated curiosity, creativity, and willingness to learn within a dynamic team environment.
• Understanding of footwear construction, materials, manufacturing, and commercialization processes is preferred.
• Excellent collaboration, presentation, and communication skills.
• Portfolio required in application.
• Hybrid work schedule with in-office collaboration on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Responsibilities

• Create color, material, and graphic concepts for running footwear in collaboration with Design, Product Management, and Development teams.
• Research consumer, market, and industry trends to inform seasonal color direction and storytelling.
• Apply color and graphic solutions to footwear while aligning with design vision and strategy.
• Collaborate within a cross-functional triad to ensure concept to commercialization accuracy.
• Create and maintain tech packs and communicate clearly with development partners.
• Support color reviews, presentation materials, and design meetings throughout the product creation process.
• Execute projects on established timelines with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Contribute to a fast-paced, collaborative creative environment.

Skills

Color theory

Color storytelling

Presentation skills

Communication

Organization

Curiosity/creativity

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Fashion Design, Footwear Design, or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION:

At New Balance, we have spent more than 100 years empowering people through movement. Our commitment to performance, quality, fit, and comfort extends beyond our products to the way we support our associates. We foster a collaborative, team-oriented environment where creativity, innovation, and professional growth thrive.

The Footwear Color Designer I, Running Footwear, will support the creation and execution of color, material, and graphic concepts across the running footwear category. Working closely with Design, Product Management, and Development partners, this role will help bring seasonal creative direction to life through compelling color stories and product executions that resonate with consumers and strengthen the New Balance brand.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Partner with senior designers and cross‑functional teammates to create color, material, and graphic concepts for running footwear.
• Research and analyze consumer, market, and industry trends to help inform seasonal color direction and storytelling.
• Apply color and graphic solutions to footwear products while ensuring alignment with seasonal design vision, product strategy, and consumer insights.
• Collaborate within a cross‑functional triad consisting of Design, Product Management, and Development to ensure accurate execution from concept through commercialization.
• Create and maintain detailed product specification packages (tech packs) and provide clear communication to development partners.
• Support color reviews, presentation materials, and design meetings throughout the product creation process.
• Execute projects effectively within established timelines while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Contribute positively to a fast‑paced, highly collaborative creative environment.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Fashion Design, Footwear Design, or a related field.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in footwear, apparel, accessories, color design, graphic design, or a related product creation discipline.
• Strong understanding of color theory, color application, and consumer‑relevant color storytelling.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Illustrator. Experience with Photoshop and other visualization tools is a plus.
• Ability to communicate design concepts clearly through visual presentations and verbal discussions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated curiosity, creativity, and willingness to learn within a dynamic team environment.
• Understanding of footwear construction, materials, manufacturing, and commercialization processes is preferred.
• Excellent collaboration, presentation, and communication skills.
• Portfolio required in application.
• Hybrid work schedule with in‑office collaboration on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Location and Pay:

Lawrence, MA Corp Only Pay Range: $86,800.00 - $112,000.00 - $137,200.00 Annual (actual base pay varying based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, internal equity, geographic location, and more.)

Regular Associate Benefits

Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly. New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks - opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs - that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally. You'll also enjoy a yearly $1,000 lifestyle reimbursement, 4 weeks of vacations, 12 holidays and generous parental leave, because work‑life balance is more than just a buzzword - it's part of our culture.

Temporary associates are provided

three options for medical insurance as well as dental and vision insurance and an associate discount.

Part time associates are provided

401k, short term disability, a yearly $300 lifestyle reimbursement and an associate discount.

Flexible Work Schedule

For decades we have fostered a unique culture founded on our values with a particular focus on in‑person teamwork and collaboration. Our North American hybrid model encourages rich in‑person experiences, showcasing our commitment to teamwork and connection, while maintaining flexibility for associates. New Balance Ass