In Short
At On, our material design team plays a crucial role in shaping the aesthetics, performance, and sustainability of our products. Materials provide structure, durability, and the ability to communicate states of mind. With technical knowledge of material manufacturing and performance, a material designer at On creates and curates materials in close collaboration with the design and material development teams to produce visually compelling narratives for our products. By staying attuned to the latest trends in materials, finishes, and textures, as well as contemporary art and emerging artists, they cultivate an expertise that informs and elevates our design process.
Your Mission
- Seasonal material briefs - Create seasonal material briefs by category and vertical needs with an eye towards commercialization, sustainability, and margin thresholds.
- Material board creation / curation - Work closely in collaboration with the material teams.
- Material library curation - Explore new materials, finishes, and treatments to enhance product performance, aesthetics, and sustainability.
- Material development (aesthetics) - Design engineered materials and new material developments within an inline timeline.
- Materialways proposals - Utilize knowledge of material properties and manufacturing processes to inform design and color decisions, ensuring feasibility.
- Material map creation.
- Strong collaboration with FTW designers.
- Connection with color designers to ensure color methodologies are integrated with material choices from the start.
- Present material design proposals, concepts, and narratives in compelling ways to gain buy-in from internal stakeholders, ensuring seamless integration of materials.
- Work closely with design, development, product strategy, and material development teams to align material strategies with overall product goals and brand initiatives.
- Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, encouraging creative exchange and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- Stay updated on materials, finishes, and textures — understanding how they are combined and used to create impact in art, culture, and fashion, conveying emotions.
- Regularly build and maintain a comprehensive inspiration library that includes patterns, textures, designs, mood images, materials, and shapes, both digitally and physically.
Your Story
- Bachelor's degree in Textile/Product Design or a related field.
- 4+ years of experience in the footwear industry with a focus on material design.
- Proactive and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating the ability to solve complex challenges.
- Proficiency in 2D design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, PLM, etc.; 3D tools are a plus.
- Passionate about sustainability, with experience in integrating sustainable practices into materials sourcing.
- Strong understanding of competitor brands and distribution channels, with an ability to gain insights that drive product differentiation.
- Fluency in English, both written and spoken; any additional language is a plus.
Meet the Team
Our Color and Materials Team plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity and aesthetic appeal of our products across all categories. Comprising talented professionals with diverse backgrounds in color theory and material science, our team collaborates seamlessly to deliver innovative and trend-setting designs that resonate with our consumers and elevate our brand presence in the market. In essence, our Color and Material Design Teams serve as the creative powerhouse that merges past, present, and future perspectives to drive the visual and tactile experience of our products. Through a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach, we craft compelling color and material design solutions that captivate consumers, differentiate our brand, and inspire lasting connections in the competitive marketplace.
This role requires someone with a balance of creative vision, technical expertise, and the ability to collaborate seamlessly across different teams. If you are passionate about color design in footwear and want to help shape the future of product aesthetics, we’d love to hear from you! Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.