Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: Nordic Knots AB

Location: Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Leadership / Product Development

Date Posted: 2026-06-23

Experience Level: 6-8+ Years (Mid-Senior Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage a high-performing design team focused on product development for rugs, textiles, and home categories within a direct-to-consumer (DTC) Scandinavian interior design brand.

• Drive the end-to-end design process, from initial concept ideation and market research through to detailed production-ready handover, ensuring alignment with brand vision and commercial objectives.

• Translate creative strategy and aesthetic vision into tangible product collections that enhance brand equity and deliver long-term commercial value.

• Implement structured design methodologies and operational clarity to ensure efficient project execution, timeline adherence, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Act as a key liaison between the Creative Director and the design team, providing day-to-day operational leadership and ensuring seamless execution of creative direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a critical operational leader within the design function, acting as the "Creative Director's extension into the team." This implies a need for strong process management, team development, and execution focus, beyond pure creative conceptualization. The emphasis on translating vision into "structured design process" and "production-ready handover" highlights a requirement for robust project management and technical oversight.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop the design team, fostering a collaborative, trust-based, and high-standards culture.

• Design Process Ownership: Drive the entire product design lifecycle, from initial research and concept development to detailed technical documentation and production-ready handover for rugs, textiles, and related home categories.

• Creative Vision Translation: Partner with the Creative Director to translate overarching brand and creative vision into commercially viable and aesthetically strong product collections.

• Operational Structure & Clarity: Establish and maintain clear priorities, processes, and workflows within the design function to ensure smooth execution and pace in a fast-moving environment.

• Technical Quality Assurance: Ensure high technical quality across all design outputs, including detailed briefs, CAD development, digital renderings, and handover materials for cross-functional teams and external suppliers.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with marketing, product management, production, and sales teams to ensure design initiatives are aligned with assortment strategy, commercial objectives, feasibility, and timelines.

• Commercial Acumen: Balance creative ambition with practical business needs, production constraints, timelines, and commercial priorities to drive successful product launches.

• Product Pipeline Management: Contribute to collection planning, category development, product pipeline management, and the strategic evolution of the Nordic Knots product assortment.

• Decision Support: Prepare compelling decision-support materials and presentations for the Creative Director and other senior stakeholders to facilitate strategic choices.

• Culture Contribution: Uphold and contribute to a "low-prestige, high-standards" culture, emphasizing accountability, trust, and hands-on collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate a blend of creative oversight and operational management. The emphasis on "structured, efficient and high-quality design process" and "preparing strong decision support material" points to a need for candidates who can not only inspire but also systematically execute and communicate design strategies effectively to both creative and business stakeholders.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, or a related creative field is typically expected for a Director-level role.

Experience: 6–8+ years of progressive experience in product design, specifically within interior design, home décor, textiles, or rug categories. This must include significant experience leading and managing design teams.

Required Skills:

• People Leadership: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop design teams, fostering a positive and productive team culture.

• Product Design Expertise: Deep understanding of the full product design lifecycle, from concept and research to production-ready handover.

• Creative Direction Acumen: Strong design judgment, a highly developed aesthetic sensibility, and the ability to translate creative vision into commercially successful products.

• Process Management: Ability to bring structure, clarity, and momentum to a creative environment, managing workflows and ensuring efficient execution.

• Technical Design Skills: Proficiency in CAD development, technical documentation, design briefs, and digital renderings.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams (e.g., marketing, production, sales) and external suppliers.

• Commercial Mindset: Understanding of business priorities, timelines, feasibility, and market needs in relation to design decisions.

• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing creative ambition with strict deadlines and production requirements.

• Problem-Solving: Proactive, solution-oriented approach to overcoming design and production challenges.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience contributing to collection planning, category development, product pipeline management, or assortment evolution.

• Experience working within a premium or design-driven brand environment.

• Familiarity with Scandinavian design principles and aesthetics.

• Experience in a direct-to-consumer (DTC) business model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement specifically calls for leadership within a relevant product category. The blend of "creative sensitivity with technical understanding and strong execution skills" is a key differentiator. The "low-prestige, high-standards" culture implies a preference for a hands-on leader who can roll up their sleeves.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Process Showcase: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end product design process, from initial research and conceptualization through to detailed technical specifications and production-ready handover.

• Leadership & Team Management Examples: Include examples or case studies illustrating your experience in leading, mentoring, and developing design teams, highlighting team growth or successful project outcomes under your leadership.

• Technical Proficiency: Showcase examples of high-quality technical documentation, CAD development, design briefs, and digital renderings relevant to textiles, rugs, or home goods.

• Commercial Integration: Present projects where creative vision was successfully balanced with commercial objectives, timelines, and production feasibility, demonstrating an understanding of business impact.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Illustrate instances where you effectively collaborated with diverse stakeholders (e.g., production, marketing) to bring a product to market.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Provide examples of how you have designed, implemented, or optimized design workflows to enhance efficiency, clarity, and output quality.

• Technical Specification Standards: Demonstrate your ability to create clear, detailed, and accurate technical specifications that facilitate smooth communication with manufacturers and suppliers.

• Performance Analysis: Showcase how you have measured the success of design initiatives, linking them to brand objectives, commercial results, or process improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, a strong portfolio is essential for a Design Director role. Candidates should be prepared to present visually compelling examples of their work, with a clear emphasis on process, leadership, and tangible outcomes. The focus on "structure, pace and clarity" suggests a need to highlight how candidates bring order to creative chaos.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (6-8+ years), the Director title, and the location in Stockholm, Sweden, a competitive salary range would likely be between 650,000 SEK and 950,000 SEK annually. This estimate considers industry benchmarks for design leadership roles in major European cities and the premium brand positioning of Nordic Knots.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: As detailed above, reflecting experience and leadership responsibilities.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued learning, skill enhancement, and potentially attending industry events or workshops.

• Creative Environment: Work within a dynamic, design-focused company with a strong brand identity.

• Team Culture: Be part of a driven, entrepreneurial team that values new ideas and encourages initiative.

• Contribution to Growth: Play a meaningful role in the continued growth and success of a fast-growing DTC brand.

• Standard Swedish Benefits: Typically includes generous paid time off (semester), parental leave, health insurance, and pension contributions as mandated by Swedish labor law.

Working Hours: The role is listed as Full-Time. While specific hours are not stated, a standard full-time workweek in Sweden is typically 40 hours. The company culture description suggests a proactive and hands-on approach, which may involve some flexibility around core hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on market research for Design Director roles in Stockholm, considering the specified experience and industry. Standard Swedish benefits are assumed, given the location and company type.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Interior Design, Home Goods, Textiles, Scandinavian Design, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) E-commerce. Nordic Knots operates in a competitive market where brand aesthetic, product quality, and customer experience are paramount.

Company Size: Nordic Knots is described as "fast-growing" with a "constantly growing team." Based on typical DTC growth trajectories and the mention of teams in both Sweden and the USA, the company likely falls into the Small to Medium-sized Business (SMB) category, possibly ranging from 50-200 employees. This size implies a dynamic, agile environment where roles can evolve and individuals have significant impact.

Founded: 2016 by Liza Laserow, Fabian Berglund, and Felix Berglund. This relatively recent founding suggests a modern, entrepreneurial spirit and a focus on innovation and rapid scaling.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: The Design Director leads the design function, which includes designers for rugs, textiles, and selected home categories. The team size is not specified but is expected to be manageable for direct leadership.

• Reporting Structure: The Design Director reports directly to the Creative Director, acting as their operational right-hand for the design team. Collaboration with other departments (marketing, product, sales, production) is crucial.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role emphasizes close partnership with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure design work aligns with overall business strategy, assortment planning, and commercial goals. This indicates a highly collaborative environment.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creativity is key, the role requires balancing "creative ambition with business priorities, timelines and production requirements," suggesting a data-informed approach to decision-making.

• Structured Process: The emphasis on "structure, clarity and momentum" and "structured design process" points to a preference for systematic, organized workflows.

• Agile Execution: As a fast-growing DTC brand, the company likely operates with agility, requiring adaptability and efficient project execution.

Company Website: https://nordicknots.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The "low-prestige, high-standards" culture is a significant cultural indicator. It suggests a workplace that values humility, collaboration, and a strong work ethic, where individuals are recognized for their contributions and competence rather than hierarchy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the design operations of a growing company. It is a step beyond individual contributor or junior design roles, requiring significant leadership, strategic thinking, and process management capabilities. It sits at the intersection of creative leadership and operational execution.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director reports to the Creative Director, a key strategic partner. This relationship is vital for aligning creative vision with operational reality. The Director will also manage a team of designers.

Operations Impact: The Design Director has a direct impact on the company's product offering, brand identity, and commercial success. By ensuring efficient design processes, high-quality products, and alignment with market trends and commercial goals, this role directly influences revenue, customer acquisition, and brand perception.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a more senior creative leadership role within Nordic Knots as the company scales, possibly overseeing broader product development or brand initiatives.

• Strategic Influence: Deeper involvement in strategic decision-making related to product assortment, brand direction, and market expansion.

• Process Innovation: Opportunity to significantly shape and refine the design operations and product development processes for a rapidly growing DTC brand.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining broader experience in e-commerce, marketing, and business strategy through close collaboration with other departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a significant opportunity for a design leader to build and scale a function within a growing DTC brand, providing a platform for both personal and professional development in a dynamic e-commerce landscape.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the company's headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. This is likely a modern, collaborative office space designed to foster creativity and teamwork, aligning with the company's Scandinavian design ethos.

Office Location(s): Birger Jarlsgatan, central Stockholm. This prime location offers accessibility and a vibrant working environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: Expect a workspace that encourages interaction, brainstorming, and cross-functional communication, essential for translating creative ideas into actionable plans.

• Design-Centric: The environment will likely be visually inspiring, reflecting the brand's aesthetic and providing the tools and resources needed for high-quality design work.

• Hands-On Culture: The "low-prestige, high-standards" culture suggests an environment where team members are encouraged to be hands-on, contribute directly, and support each other.

Work Schedule: Full-time, likely with standard office hours but potentially offering some flexibility to accommodate project needs and a results-oriented approach. The emphasis is on execution and delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Stockholm headquarters serves as the central hub for operations and design. The description implies an environment that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally supportive of a fast-paced, collaborative design team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess relevant experience, leadership capabilities, and aesthetic alignment.

• Hiring Manager/Creative Director Interview: Deeper dive into your leadership philosophy, design process, experience managing teams, and understanding of brand strategy. Portfolio presentation will likely be a key component.

• Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key individuals from marketing, production, or sales to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to align design with business objectives.

• Team Meet-and-Greet: Opportunity to meet potential direct reports and other team members to evaluate cultural fit and collaborative potential.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic vision and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your leadership experience, end-to-end design process management, technical proficiency (CAD, documentation), and commercial awareness.

• Highlight Leadership: For each relevant project, clearly articulate your role, team managed, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and outcomes achieved. Quantify impact where possible.

• Demonstrate Process: Walk through your design methodology for key projects, emphasizing how you bring structure, clarity, and efficiency to the creative process.

• Showcase Technical Detail: Include examples of detailed technical documentation, specifications, and renderings that demonstrate your ability to prepare production-ready materials.

• Brand Alignment: Be prepared to discuss how your aesthetic sensibility and design approach align with the Nordic Knots brand and Scandinavian design principles.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study Presentation: You may be asked to present a hypothetical design challenge or a past project that exemplifies your problem-solving and strategic thinking skills in a design leadership context.

• Process Improvement Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach improving a specific aspect of the design process within a growing DTC company.

• Leadership Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would handle common team management challenges, motivate designers, and foster a high-performance culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should anticipate a rigorous interview process that assesses not only their design talent but also their leadership acumen, operational discipline, and cultural fit. The portfolio is a critical tool for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools (Expected):

• Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), CAD software (e.g., Rhino, SolidWorks, or specialized textile/rug design software), 3D modeling and rendering software (e.g., Keyshot, Blender).

• Project Management Tools: Tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or Jira for workflow management, task assignment, and tracking project progress.

• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams for internal communication.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) Systems: Potentially used for organizing design assets and brand materials.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Website Analytics: Google Analytics for understanding customer behavior and product performance.

• Sales & CRM Data: Access to data from CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and e-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify) to inform design decisions based on sales performance and customer preferences.

• Reporting Dashboards: Tools like Tableau, Power BI, or internal dashboards for visualizing performance metrics.

CRM & Automation: While not directly managed by the Design Director, an understanding of how CRM and marketing automation tools influence product demand and assortment strategy would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, a Design Director in this environment would be expected to be proficient with industry-standard design software and comfortable leveraging project management and data analysis tools to inform and execute design strategies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• High Standards & Accountability: A commitment to excellence in design output and a strong sense of ownership for delivered work.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in collective success, encouraging mutual support and shared problem-solving.

• Efficiency & Clarity: A focus on streamlined processes, clear communication, and organized execution to achieve goals effectively.

• Customer-Centricity: Designing with the end-user and the creation of a "harmonious home" in mind.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Encouraging new ideas, initiative, and a proactive approach to growth and innovation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless integration with marketing, product development, and sales teams to ensure cohesive brand and product strategies.

• Open Communication: A culture where feedback is readily exchanged, and open dialogue is encouraged to refine designs and processes.

• Hands-On Mentality: A collaborative approach where team members are willing to contribute directly to tasks and support each other, embodying the "low-prestige" aspect.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "low-prestige, high-standards" culture is a defining characteristic. It implies a focus on meritocracy, humility, and collaboration over hierarchy, with a strong emphasis on delivering high-quality work through teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design Operations: As a fast-growing DTC brand, the primary challenge will be scaling the design function effectively to meet increasing product demands and market expansion without compromising quality or efficiency.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Commercial Demands: Continuously navigating the tension between artistic ambition and the practicalities of timelines, budgets, and production capabilities.

• Maintaining Brand Cohesion: Ensuring that a diverse product range across categories remains cohesive and aligned with the core Scandinavian aesthetic and brand identity.

• Managing Global Supply Chains: Potentially working with international suppliers requires adaptability to different communication styles, quality standards, and logistical complexities.

• Team Development: Building and retaining a high-performing design team in a competitive market, while fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Product Development: Deepen expertise in market analysis, trend forecasting, and assortment planning for the home goods sector.

• Leadership Skills Enhancement: Develop advanced team management, coaching, and strategic leadership capabilities within a growing organization.

• E-commerce & DTC Growth: Gain invaluable experience in the nuances of scaling a direct-to-consumer brand in the competitive interior design market.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Expand knowledge in marketing, operations, and business strategy through close collaboration with other departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a fast-growing company in a creative industry. Successfully navigating these will provide significant opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach translating the Nordic Knots brand identity into a cohesive product collection across rugs, textiles, and new home categories?" (Focus on process, research, and commercial alignment).

• "Describe a time you had to balance strong creative vision with challenging production constraints or tight deadlines. What was your approach and the outcome?" (Highlight problem-solving, negotiation, and execution).

• "How do you foster a collaborative and high-performing culture within a design team, particularly within a 'low-prestige, high-standards' environment?" (Emphasize leadership style, team development, and cultural contribution).

• "What steps would you take to ensure high technical quality and accuracy in design handover materials for international suppliers?" (Showcase attention to detail, documentation standards, and cross-cultural communication). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What appeals to you about Nordic Knots' brand, products, and Scandinavian aesthetic?" (Demonstrate research and genuine interest).

• "How do you see yourself contributing to our specific company culture and values?" (Align your approach with "low-prestige, high-standards," collaboration, and initiative).

• "Describe your experience working with Creative Directors or senior leadership. How do you ensure alignment and effective partnership?" (Focus on communication, support, and strategic alignment). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation to tell a story for each project: the challenge, your approach, the solution, and the impact.

• Process Focus: Clearly articulate the design process you followed, emphasizing how you brought structure, research, and technical rigor to each project.

• Leadership Evidence: For team-led projects, explicitly describe your leadership role, team management, and how you empowered your designers.

• Outcome Quantification: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the commercial success, efficiency gains, or brand impact of your design work.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your slides are visually clean, on-brand, and easy to follow, showcasing your aesthetic sensibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design talent but also operational leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to integrate creative vision with business realities within a specific cultural context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Nordic Knots teamtailor portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to specifically highlight leadership experience, end-to-end product design process management (especially for textiles/home goods), technical documentation proficiency, and successful collaboration with cross-functional teams. Emphasize projects that demonstrate commercial acumen and brand alignment.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to clearly showcase 6-8+ years of relevant experience, leadership roles, and achievements in product design, emphasizing keywords like "Design Director," "Product Development," "Team Leadership," "CAD," "Technical Documentation," "Collection Planning," and "DTC."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, leadership style, and process management strategies. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to present your portfolio with a focus on impact and process. Research Nordic Knots' recent collections and market positioning.

• Company Research: Deeply understand Nordic Knots' brand story, Scandinavian design ethos, target market (USA as a major market), and their "low-prestige, high-standards" culture. This will inform your answers and demonstrate your alignment with the company's values and vision.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.