Creative Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Designer

Company: Hanes

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Apparel Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-12T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Contribute significantly to the seasonal trend and design direction for Women's and Men's apparel collections, leveraging deep knowledge of the fashion and apparel design landscape.
• Develop innovative apparel designs through comprehensive trend research, detailed sketching, and thoughtful material proposals, translating creative concepts into tangible product ideas.
• Collaborate effectively with both local and offshore manufacturing partners to manage the end-to-end product development lifecycle, ensuring design integrity and quality from concept to production.
• Create compelling product range presentations that effectively communicate design vision and product details to internal teams and stakeholders, utilizing strong visual storytelling and presentation skills.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research on industry trends, color palettes, and fabric innovations relevant to Women's and Men's apparel, synthesizing findings to inform seasonal design direction.
• Generate detailed design sketches and technical drawings that accurately communicate design intent, construction details, and material specifications to product development teams and manufacturers.
• Source and propose appropriate materials, trims, and finishes, considering factors such as aesthetics, performance, cost, and sustainability, in collaboration with material sourcing teams.
• Manage the product development process for assigned designs, including creating and reviewing tech packs, participating in fitting sessions, and providing clear feedback to ensure design execution meets specifications.
• Prepare and deliver engaging product range presentations, showcasing seasonal collections, key design stories, and product features to merchandising, sales, and leadership teams.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation in design principles and apparel construction.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience in apparel design, preferably within a similar product category. A strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of apparel design projects, highlighting creative process, technical skills, and successful product launches, is essential.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in apparel design principles, including silhouette, proportion, color theory, and textile knowledge.
• Strong proficiency in fashion sketching and illustration, both hand-drawn and digital, to effectively communicate design concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive trend research, analyze market data, and translate insights into commercially viable design concepts.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) for creating technical flats, illustrations, and presentations.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for managing design data, specifications, and product development workflows.
• Knowledge of apparel construction techniques, garment manufacturing processes, and textile properties.
• Experience designing for diverse body types and understanding of fit and grading principles.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Include a curated selection of your strongest apparel design projects, showcasing your creative range and technical abilities across different garment categories.
• For each project, present a clear design process from initial concept and trend research to sketches, technical flats, material selections, and final product images (if available).
• Highlight case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to translate trends into commercially successful designs.
• Showcase your proficiency in relevant design software through technical drawings, digital illustrations, and presentation layouts.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to trend research and how you synthesize findings to inform your design decisions.
• Illustrate your ideation process, including initial sketches, mood boards, and material exploration.
• Explain your collaboration process with technical design and product development teams, including how you provide feedback on samples and ensure design intent is maintained.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on market data for Creative Designer roles with 5+ years of experience in the New York City area within the apparel industry, the estimated salary range is typically between $75,000 and $110,000 annually. This range can vary based on specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation. (Source: Industry salary benchmarks for NYC-based apparel designers, verified against cost of living indices for the region).

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package, including base salary and potential for performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development through training programs, workshops, and mentorship.
• Inclusive and supportive work environment that values creativity, collaboration, and individual contributions.
• Participation in the company's commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices, contributing to meaningful impact.

Working Hours: Typically a standard full-time work schedule of approximately 40 hours per week, likely with some flexibility required based on seasonal deadlines and global collaboration needs.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Apparel Manufacturing. HanesBrands is a global leader in everyday apparel, with a strong focus on comfort, quality, and value across a portfolio of well-known brands. This position operates within a company with a long history and significant market presence.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees globally. Working within a large organization means the design team likely has specialized roles and established processes, offering opportunities for collaboration and learning within a structured environment.

Founded: 1901. HanesBrands has a rich heritage in the apparel industry, which likely influences its brand identity, target audience, and design approach, potentially balancing tradition with innovation.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely consists of designers with varying levels of experience and specialization in different apparel categories.
• Reporting structures will likely involve reporting to a Design Manager or Director, with opportunities to collaborate with Senior Designers.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, working closely with merchandising, product development, sourcing, and marketing teams throughout the product lifecycle.

Methodology:

• Design processes likely follow a seasonal calendar, starting with trend forecasting and concept development.
• Emphasis on design thinking and user-centered design principles to create apparel that meets consumer needs and preferences.
• Iterative design process with multiple rounds of sketching, sampling, and fitting to refine designs before production.

Company Website: https://careers.hanes.com

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This position appears to be at a mid to senior level within the design team, requiring a minimum of 5 years of experience. Responsibilities indicate a hands-on design role with significant contribution to seasonal collections and product development.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Design Manager or Director, with potential for mentorship opportunities and collaboration with more senior designers.

Design Impact: Creative Designers at HanesBrands have a direct impact on the products brought to market, influencing the aesthetic, functionality, and commercial success of seasonal apparel collections.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for advancement to Senior Creative Designer or Design Lead roles within the apparel categories.
• Opportunities to specialize in specific product lines, materials, or design techniques.
• Exposure to different aspects of the apparel industry value chain, from design and development to sourcing and marketing.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: On-site in a corporate office setting, likely with dedicated workspace for the design team that fosters creativity and collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary location is New York, NY (10016), likely a corporate or design office space within a major fashion hub. HanesBrands also has locations in Winston-Salem, NC (headquarters) and Bentonville, AR.

Design Workspace Context:

• The design workspace is likely equipped with tools and resources necessary for apparel design, including design software, sketching materials, and access to fabric libraries.
• Opportunities for in-person collaboration with design team members, product developers, and merchandising teams.
• Access to physical samples, prototypes, and fitting sessions is likely facilitated by the on-site nature of the role.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours, Monday through Friday, with the expectation of being present in the New York office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening call with HR to discuss experience and fit.
• Interview(s) with members of the design team, where you will be asked to discuss your portfolio in detail, focusing on your design process, technical skills, and creative approach.
• Potential design exercise or case study presentation to assess problem-solving abilities and design thinking.
• Interviews with cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., merchandising, product development) to assess collaboration skills and business acumen.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Organize your portfolio clearly, showcasing a range of apparel design projects relevant to HanesBrands' product categories.
• For each project, provide context on the design brief, target audience, and your creative process from concept to completion.
• Highlight your technical skills through detailed sketches, technical flats, and material selections.
• Be prepared to discuss your design decisions, rationale, and how you incorporated trend research and consumer insights.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is part of the process, carefully review the brief and allocate your time effectively for research, ideation, and execution.
• Focus on demonstrating your understanding of the brand, target audience, and commercial viability in your proposed solution.
• Be prepared to articulate your design process and rationale clearly during your presentation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop): Essential for creating technical flats, illustrations, mood boards, and presentations. Proficiency in these tools is a core requirement.
• Sketching Materials: Both traditional and digital sketching tools for initial concept generation and detailed design exploration.
• Fabric and Trim Libraries: Access to physical and digital resources for material research and selection.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Systems: Used for managing design data, specifications, and communication throughout the product development process (experience with specific PLM systems may be preferred).
• Email and Communication Platforms (e.g., Microsoft Outlook, Teams): For internal and external communication with team members and partners.
• Collaboration Software: Tools for sharing files, providing feedback, and managing project workflows.

Research & Testing:

• Trend Forecasting Resources: Access to industry publications, online platforms, and trade shows for trend research.
• Market Research Data: Utilizing consumer insights and sales data to inform design decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Play to Win: A focus on driving results and achieving success through innovation and continuous improvement in design.
• Act Like Owners: Taking initiative and responsibility for design projects, seeking opportunities for improvement across the design process.
• Do What's Right: Upholding ethical standards in design practices, material sourcing, and product development.
• Create Opportunity for All: Fostering an inclusive and respectful design environment where all team members have the opportunity to contribute and grow.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional collaboration is highly valued, with close interaction between design, merchandising, product development, and sourcing teams.
• Emphasis on open communication, constructive feedback, and shared ownership of project outcomes.
• Likely a collaborative design critique process where designers share their work and receive feedback from peers and leadership.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Balancing creative innovation with commercial viability and brand identity within established product categories.
• Navigating the complexities of global sourcing and manufacturing to ensure design integrity and quality.
• Staying ahead of rapidly evolving fashion trends and consumer preferences in a competitive market.
• Managing multiple design projects simultaneously while adhering to seasonal deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunities to enhance technical skills in design software, apparel construction, and material science.
• Exposure to different product categories and design challenges within HanesBrands' diverse portfolio.
• Potential for mentorship from experienced design leaders within the organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to walk through your design process for a specific project from concept to production, highlighting your key decisions and rationale.
• Discuss how you approach trend research and translate trends into commercially viable designs for a specific target audience.
• Explain your experience collaborating with product development and manufacturing teams, including how you handle technical challenges and ensure design intent.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research HanesBrands' core values and be prepared to discuss how your own values align with theirs.
• Ask questions about the design team's culture, collaboration style, and how feedback is incorporated into the design process.
• Demonstrate your understanding of HanesBrands' brands and target market, and how your design approach would contribute to their success.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your portfolio presentation as a narrative, guiding the interviewer through your creative process and the story behind each design.
• Focus on showcasing projects that are most relevant to HanesBrands' product categories and brand aesthetic.
• Be prepared to discuss the commercial success or impact of your designs, if applicable.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Customize your resume to highlight relevant apparel design experience, technical skills, and accomplishments, using keywords from the job description.
• Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and clearly showcases your strongest apparel design work, with a focus on process documentation and technical details.
• Prepare for interviews by practicing articulating your design process, discussing your portfolio projects in detail, and researching HanesBrands' brands and values.