Associate Apparel Designer

@ Brooks Running
Brooks Runningbrooksrunning.com

Associate Apparel Designer

Seattle, WA
Posted 1 week ago

About the job

Brooks is dedicated to inspiring movement and creating gear that helps people feel alive. As an Associate Apparel Designer, you'll support design concepts, trend research, and collaborate across teams to deliver innovative apparel aligned with brand values and seasonal themes.

Requirements

  • 3+ years of apparel design experience
  • Proficient in Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop
  • Ability to use AI tools for visualization
  • Experience in trend research and development
  • Strong presentation and communication skills

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s in Fashion or Apparel Design
  • Experience with vector graphic software
  • Ability to manage multiple projects
  • Knowledge of apparel industry trends
  • Embraces Brooks values and culture

Full job description

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. 

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success: 

  • Runner First
    • We act in the best interest of the runner
  • Word is Bond
    • We do what we say we’ll do 
  • Champion Heart
    • We give our all in everything we do  
  • There is no “I” in Run 
    • We stay generous with our humanity 
  • Keep Moving 
    • We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.   


Your Job:

Product excellence is at the heart of Brooks’ success, and achieving a leadership position in the marketplace requires innovation and excellence in product design. As the Associate Apparel Designer, you will support the Apparel Design team in developing seasonal product that aligns with Brooks’ brand direction, consumer needs, and overall product strategy. Working closely with designers and cross-functional partners, you will contribute to the design and development process from research and concept development through commercialization. You will support the execution of seasonal design concepts, assist with apparel styling and technical design details, and help ensure products meet Brooks’ standards for quality, fit, function, and aesthetic appeal. You will collaborate with Color & Graphic Design, Product Marketing, Merchandising, Development, and Materials teams to bring product concepts to life. This role is an opportunity to grow your apparel design expertise while contributing to the creation of innovative, consumer-focused running product.


Your Responsibilities:

  • Support designers in the design, development, and execution of seasonal Apparel product concepts from initial concept through commercialization.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional partners including Apparel Design, Merchandising, Product Marketing, Development, and Materials to support the creation of a cohesive, merchandisable line.
  • Participate in seasonal concept and strategy meetings and contribute relevant design, market, and consumer insights.
  • Conduct research on apparel, running, lifestyle, and fashion trends to help inform seasonal design direction and product opportunities.
  • Assist in developing apparel concepts, silhouette updates, color and material applications, and design details under the direction of the lead designers.
  • Create and update technical drawings, colorways, and design presentations using Adobe Illustrator and other appropriate design tools.
  • Support the development and maintenance of garment specification packages, including style details, construction, measurements, and technical drawings.
  • Assist with preparation of presentation materials for internal product meetings, concept reviews, and final reviews.
  • Collaborate with Color & Graphic Designers to support the execution of graphics, color, and overall design intent for individual styles.
  • Support head-to-toe outfitting and seasonal storytelling in partnership with Apparel Merchandising and Footwear teams.
  • Participate in fit sessions and product reviews for prototypes, photo samples, sales samples, and pre-production samples, providing design feedback under the guidance of lead designers.
  • Use AI tools and emerging design technologies to explore and visualize design concepts, individual items, and head-to-toe looks.
  • Help maintain brand consistency and design quality across assigned product and contribute to a strong, consumer-focused product experience.
  • Manage assigned projects and deliverables while meeting seasonal calendar deadlines.
  • Stay curious and engaged with the running consumer, apparel market, and evolving design trends through research, store visits, competitive analysis, and other relevant activities.
  • Travel domestically and/or internationally as needed to support trend research, team initiatives, and product development.


Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, or related field; equivalent combination of education and years of experience can be considered in lieu of degree(s)
  • 3+ years of experience in apparel design or relevant experience in a similar design role
  • Formal design education and/or training in apparel design and vector-based graphic design programs preferred
  • Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator; working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and other relevant design tools
  • Familiarity with apparel design and development processes, including technical drawings, garment construction, materials, fit, and product development
  • Ability to use AI tools and emerging technologies to visualize and communicate design concepts
  • Strong attention to detail and an understanding of color, proportion, silhouette, materials, and apparel construction
  • Ability to communicate design ideas clearly through sketches, technical drawings, presentations, and verbal communication
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners and contribute positively within a team environment
  • Ability to manage multiple assigned projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, seasonal product development environment
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrating effective listening through concise, clear verbal and written communication
  • Excellent interpersonal skills that inspire and build trust resulting in effective working relationships across the company
  • Ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our customers, our partners, our products, or other departments’ operations and/or morale; “connecting the dots”
  • Demonstration of innovation and initiative – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details and help wherever necessary
  • Travel 10% (domestically/internationally)
  • Embraces and lives the Brooks values!
  • Working relationships with team members and partners across the organization.



    • Compensation: The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $74,985 - $112,478 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 

    Other:

    Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families!

    Benefits- including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance.

    Paid Time Off- Brooks offers generous time off including five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, paid sick and parental leave.

    Bonus-in addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.

    Perks- including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.

    Location- You will spend 4 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.


    At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.

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