Footwear Designer [AQ-25605]

Aquent; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent is partnering with a global leader in athletic footwear to shape the future of product design. You will own the design lifecycle, translating bold concepts into high-performance footwear that blends sport and lifestyle aesthetics.

You will mentor designers, collaborate across disciplines, and influence seasonal directions while maintaining a keen eye for typography, color theory, and brand systems. A strong leadership and hands-on design track are essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in footwear product design.
• Expert-level graphic design across ideation to final execution.
• Strong typography, color theory, and brand identity skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguous briefs and deliver results.
• Experience managing multiple projects with varying timelines.
• Proficiency with Photoshop, Illustrator, and Miro.
• Bachelor’s degree in product design or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design lifecycle for innovative footwear products from ideation to execution.
• Apply expert graphic design skills across typography, color theory, brand identity, and visual systems.
• Elevate design standards for style and functionality in footwear.
• Monitor trends to keep designs distinct and resonant with audiences.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including materials, color, and graphic specialists.
• Mentor and develop fellow designers, fostering a collaborative culture.
• Guide design directions with leadership to influence seasonal collections.
• Prioritize and manage workload across multiple projects with varying timelines.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to maintain a clear design vision.

Skills

Footwear design

Graphic design

Typography

Brand identity

Visual storytelling

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Miro

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in product design

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Miro

Job description

Partnering with Aquent, you will have the extraordinary opportunity to step into a pivotal creative role with a globally renowned innovator in the footwear industry, where your design expertise will directly shape the future of athletic and lifestyle fashion. In this dynamic position, you will drive groundbreaking innovation, translating visionary concepts into high-performance products that inspire athletes and style enthusiasts worldwide.

About The Opportunity

Aquent is partnering with a global leader in footwear innovation—a company celebrated for pushing the boundaries of sport, style, and creativity. Dedicated to fostering a culture of performance and groundbreaking design, this organization creates products that captivate consumers on a global scale. By joining this high-performing team, you will contribute to a legacy of excellence and help define the next generation of athletic and lifestyle footwear.

Your Impact

In this role, you will lead the entire design lifecycle, bringing visionary concepts to life from initial ideation to final execution. You will leverage your expert-level graphic design and visual storytelling skills to elevate product performance and style. By collaborating with cross-functional specialists and mentoring fellow designers, you will champion cohesive design visions that resonate deeply with diverse global audiences and subcultures.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the end-to-end design lifecycle for innovative footwear products, from initial ideation and concept development through detailed specification and final execution.
• Apply expert-level graphic design skills, utilizing a deep understanding of typography, color theory, brand identity, and visual systems across product design and storytelling platforms.
• Elevate standards in both style and functionality, consistently creating high-performance footwear.
• Monitor and integrate relevant subculture and market trends to ensure designs remain distinct, competitive, and highly resonant with target audiences.
• Collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional design teams, including materials, color, and graphic specialists, to build cohesive, integrated concepts.
• Guide diverse teams through varied feedback and stakeholder input, maintaining a clear and compelling design vision.
• Strategically manage and prioritize a dynamic workload across multiple short- and long-term projects, navigating complex timelines with meticulous attention to detail.
• Mentor fellow product design teammates, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and innovative team culture.
• Partner with design leadership to shape seasonal design directions and influence the future aesthetic of upcoming collections.

What You’ll Bring (Required)

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in designing and developing innovative footwear products.
• Demonstrated expert-level graphic design proficiency encompassing ideation, design development, specification, and final execution.
• Profound understanding and application of typography, color theory, brand identity, and visual systems across diverse product and storytelling contexts.
• Proven ability to successfully navigate ambiguous or challenging project briefs to deliver exceptional results.
• Extensive experience managing and prioritizing workloads across multiple projects with varying timelines and complexities.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Miro.
• A positive, collaborative attitude coupled with strong proactive communication skills.
• Bachelor’s Degree in product design or a related design field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Hands-on cobbling and prototyping skills.
• Experience with 3D design programs.
• Exceptional sketching, illustration, and rendering abilities.
• Proficiency in AI exploration and rendering techniques.
• Solid understanding of footwear manufacturing processes and materials.
• Ability to generate a wide range of creative concepts and solutions for each project.

Client Description

Global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. Our client focuses on innovation, performance, and marketing, partnering with top athletes and teams. The company emphasizes sustainability and digital advancements to enhance the sports experience.