Senior Graphic Designer, Print Design Team, Ready to Wear and Accesories

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer, Print Design Team, Ready to Wear and Accesories

Company: Tapestry (Coach)

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Print Design (Fashion)

Date Posted: June 16, 2025

Experience Level: 8+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🎨 Role Summary

• Drive the graphic design direction for seasonal collections, focusing on innovative print design and textile patterns for Coach Ready To Wear, Accessories, and Special Projects.
• Lead the Graphics Team, providing technical expertise, mentorship, and guidance to direct reports in achieving design goals.
• Collaborate closely with the Senior Design Director and cross-functional design leads to ensure graphic concepts align with the overall brand vision and creative direction.
• Translate design concepts into production-ready artwork, including color separation and formatting tailored to specific factory requirements and printing techniques.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct extensive research to identify inspiring trends and develop highly creative graphic and print design concepts for upcoming seasons.
• Partner with cross-category design teams (Ready to Wear, Accessories) to integrate graphic designs seamlessly into product development cycles from initial concept to final production hand-off.
• Manage and mentor a team of two direct reports, fostering their technical skills and creative development within the print design studio.
• Prepare and present digital and physical design boards for review meetings, ensuring all work is current, well-organized, and clearly communicates the design intent.
• Maintain proactive communication and information sharing with cross-functional teams, including production and merchandising, to ensure smooth workflow and adherence to the development calendar.
• Develop detailed artwork files, including precise color specifications and technical notes, to meet the specific requirements of manufacturing partners and various print techniques.
• Continuously explore and evaluate new print technologies, fabric applications, and graphic design approaches to push creative boundaries within the brand aesthetic.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience in Textile Design or Graphic Design.

Experience: Minimum of 8 years of professional graphic/print design experience, specifically within the apparel or fashion market, supported by a compelling design portfolio.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and other relevant Adobe Creative Suite programs for graphic creation and manipulation.
• Exceptional hand drawing and painting skills with the ability to adapt artistic style to align with diverse design briefs and brand aesthetics.
• Strong working knowledge of various fabric types, textile printing techniques (e.g., screen printing, digital printing, heat transfers), and their application in apparel and accessories.
• Highly developed color sensibility and the ability to create sophisticated and commercially viable color palettes for prints and graphics.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a small team, including delegating tasks, providing constructive feedback, and fostering a collaborative design environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail in preparing artwork, managing files, and tracking project progress.
• Demonstrated ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while maintaining high creative standards and adherence to the development calendar.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with 3D design software or rendering techniques for visualizing print placements and effects on product.
• Experience working with print vendors and understanding the technical requirements for production hand-off in a global manufacturing context.
• Knowledge of sustainable printing practices and environmentally conscious materials in textile design.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of print and graphic design projects specifically for apparel and accessories, demonstrating adaptability across different product categories and aesthetics.
• Include detailed case studies that illustrate your end-to-end design process, from initial research and concept development to final artwork creation and production considerations.
• Present high-quality visual representations of your work, showing print placements on mock-ups or actual garments/accessories, and highlighting the technical execution.
• If applicable, include examples of hand-drawn or painted artwork that demonstrate your foundational artistic skills and ability to translate traditional techniques into digital formats.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your research and discovery phase, including trend analysis, mood board creation, and inspiration sources relevant to fashion print design.
• Document your ideation and iteration methods, showing sketches, digital explorations, and how you developed print concepts from initial ideas to refined patterns.
• Explain your approach to colorway development and how you ensure color accuracy and consistency across different materials and printing processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,000.00 to $140,000.00 Annually

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans to support employee well-being.
• 401(K) retirement savings plan to help employees plan for their financial future.
• Paid Paternity and Maternity leave to support new parents.
• Commuter Benefits program to assist with transportation costs.
• Disability insurance for income protection.
• Tuition assistance program for employees seeking further education and professional development.

Working Hours: Standard business hours, with potential for flexibility based on project deadlines and creative workflow needs. As a hybrid role, expect a blend of in-office and remote work days.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Retail Apparel and Fashion

Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Tapestry, Inc.)

Founded: Coach was founded in 1941 in New York.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the Print Design Team within Coach, reporting directly to the Senior Design Director of the Print Studio.
• You will lead a team of two direct reports, providing guidance and technical expertise.
• The team collaborates closely with cross-category design teams (Ready To Wear, Accessories) and potentially Special Projects teams within Coach.

Methodology:

• The design process is driven by seasonal research and trend analysis to inform graphic direction.
• Emphasis is placed on partnering with design leads to align graphic concepts with overall brand vision.
• The process includes translating creative ideas into production-ready artwork with precise technical specifications.

Company Website: https://www.tapestry.com/

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This is a Senior-level Graphic Designer role, indicating significant experience, technical mastery, and the ability to lead projects and potentially mentor junior designers. It sits below a Design Director level.

Reporting Structure: This position reports to the Senior Design Director of the Print Studio, suggesting a clear path for guidance and strategic alignment within the design hierarchy.

Design Impact: The role has a direct impact on the aesthetic and visual identity of Coach's Ready To Wear and Accessories collections through the creation of key print designs and graphics, influencing product appeal and brand perception.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for advancement to a Design Director or other leadership roles within the Print Studio or broader Coach design organization, based on performance and leadership capabilities.
• Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific print techniques, fabric technologies, or graphic design specializations relevant to luxury fashion.
• Exposure to working on high-profile Runway collections and Special Projects offers unique creative challenges and visibility.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: The role is based in New York City, suggesting a dynamic and creatively stimulating design studio environment within Tapestry's headquarters or a dedicated Coach design space.

Office Location(s): Primarily located at the New York, NY office (10 Hudson Yards, New York, New York 10001, US), which is the headquarters for Tapestry.

Design Workspace Context:

• Expect access to necessary design tools, software, and space for creative work, including areas for drawing, sketching, and potentially material/print sampling.
• The hybrid work arrangement suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and independent work, requiring comfort with both physical and virtual team interaction.
• Proximity to other design teams fosters cross-pollination of ideas and exposure to different design disciplines within the company.

Work Schedule: Hybrid model, requiring a mix of in-office presence for collaborative work, meetings, and access to physical resources, combined with remote work flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening by HR focusing on experience, qualifications, and fit for a senior-level role.
• Portfolio review with the hiring manager (Senior Design Director) and potentially other members of the design leadership team to assess creative vision, technical skills, and relevant experience in fashion print design.
• Interviews with key stakeholders, including cross-functional design leads and potentially production team members, to evaluate collaboration skills and understanding of the end-to-end design process.
• A potential design exercise or presentation where you might be asked to walk through a case study, present a mini-project based on a brief, or discuss your approach to a design challenge relevant to Coach's aesthetic.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest print design work for apparel and accessories, aligning with Coach's brand aesthetic and target market.
• For each project, clearly articulate your design process, highlighting your research, inspiration, ideation, and technical execution, using compelling visuals and concise descriptions.
• Include detailed case studies that showcase your problem-solving skills, how you addressed specific design constraints, and the impact of your work on the final product.
• Be prepared to discuss your collaboration process with other designers, product developers, and production teams, demonstrating your ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment.

Challenge Preparation:

• If given a design challenge, approach it with a clear understanding of the Coach brand and target customer, demonstrating your ability to design within established brand guidelines while pushing creative boundaries.
• Structure your presentation logically, explaining your thought process, design decisions, and how your solution addresses the challenge requirements.
• Be prepared to articulate the technical considerations of your design, including how it would be translated into production using specific print techniques and materials.

ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Print Design, Fashion Design, Textile Design, Apparel Design, Accessories Design, Ready To Wear, Print Studio, Design Leadership, Team Management, Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, Hand Drawing, Painting, Color Separation, Artwork Preparation, Production Hand-off, Textile Printing, Fabric Knowledge, Trend Research, Mood Boards, Design Concepts, Creative Direction, Cross-functional Collaboration, Portfolio, Case Studies, Visual Presentation, Technical Specifications, Time Management, Organizational Skills, Detail-Oriented, Creativity, Interpersonal Skills, Luxury Fashion, Coach, Tapestry.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Photoshop: Essential for creating and manipulating complex graphic and print designs, including detailed artwork and color separations. Expect to demonstrate expert-level proficiency.
• Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for creating vector-based graphics, seamless patterns, and technical illustrations required for print production. Expert-level proficiency is expected.
• Other relevant Adobe Creative Suite programs (e.g., InDesign, Bridge) may be used for presentations, asset management, and documentation.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Tools for digital file sharing and collaboration within the design team and with cross-functional partners (specific tools not mentioned, but common platforms include shared drives, project management software, or dedicated design collaboration tools).
• Handoff tools or processes for providing technical specifications and production-ready artwork to manufacturers (may involve detailed specification sheets, digital files in specific formats, and potentially direct communication platforms with vendors).

Research & Testing:

• Access to trend forecasting services, online research platforms, and potentially physical libraries for textile and print inspiration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Creativity and Innovation: A core value emphasizing the generation of new and unique ideas and pushing creative boundaries within the brand context.
• Customer Focus: Dedication to understanding and meeting the expectations of the Coach customer through design.
• Dealing with Ambiguity: The ability to navigate change and uncertainty in a fast-paced creative environment.
• Drive for Results: A focus on consistently exceeding goals and delivering high-quality design work.

Collaboration Style:

• Interpersonal Savvy: The ability to build constructive relationships and use diplomacy in interactions with colleagues across different teams.
• Building Effective Teams: For the Senior Designer, this involves fostering strong morale and a sense of belonging within their direct reports, encouraging open dialogue and shared success.
• Cross-functional partnership with design leads and other departments is essential for realizing projects from concept to production.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Balancing creative innovation with commercial viability and brand aesthetic for a global luxury brand.
• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced, seasonal design cycle.
• Leading and mentoring a small team while also maintaining a hands-on role in design creation and execution.
• Ensuring technical feasibility and quality of print designs across various fabrics and production techniques.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunities to develop leadership and team management skills through direct reports and collaboration with senior design leadership.
• Continuous learning and skill development in advanced textile printing techniques, sustainable materials, and digital design tools.
• Exposure to the global fashion market and the opportunity to contribute to collections shown on runways and sold internationally.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to walk through your end-to-end design process for a specific print project, highlighting your research, inspiration, ideation, and technical execution. Use examples from your portfolio.
• Discuss your approach to color development and how you ensure color accuracy and consistency across different materials and printing methods.
• Explain how you translate hand-drawn or painted artwork into digital formats for production, detailing your preferred techniques and software usage.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research Coach's recent collections and brand identity. Be prepared to discuss how your design aesthetic and approach align with or could contribute to the brand's vision.
• Discuss your experience leading or mentoring other designers and how you approach team management and collaboration.
• Be ready to provide examples of how you have handled ambiguity or adapted to changing priorities in previous roles.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your portfolio presentation as a narrative, guiding the interviewers through your creative process and highlighting the impact of your work.
• For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges you faced, your solution, and the outcome.
• Focus on showcasing not just the final design, but also the process, including sketches, iterations, and technical details relevant to print production.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Customize your design portfolio to prominently feature relevant print design work for apparel and accessories, ensuring it aligns with Coach's brand aesthetic.
• Optimize your resume to highlight your senior-level experience, leadership skills, technical proficiency in Adobe programs, expertise in textile printing, and relevant fashion industry experience using appropriate ATS keywords.
• Prepare for interviews by practicing walking through your key portfolio pieces, focusing on your creative process, technical execution, and the business impact of your designs.
• Conduct thorough research on Coach and Tapestry, paying close attention to recent collections, brand values, and the design team structure to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm.