Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director Company: Ruggable Location: Los Angeles, California, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Design Operations / Product Development Date Posted: August 05, 2025 Experience Level: 8-10 Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the strategic direction and execution of textile design for Ruggable's home goods portfolio, with a primary focus on rugs and expanding into non-printed product categories.
• Lead and mentor a talented team of textile designers, fostering a culture of creative excellence and high performance to achieve strategic objectives.
• Drive the development of visually compelling and brand-aligned product assortments through inspiration, concept development, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee the end-to-end design process, ensuring design consistency, adherence to brand standards, and timely delivery of production-ready assets.
• Utilize a data-driven approach to inform design decisions, assess new opportunities, and manage project timelines effectively in a fast-paced e-commerce environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Director," the responsibilities and required experience align closely with a senior-level role focused on product development and design operations within the textile and home goods industry. The emphasis on leading a team, managing projects, and driving product strategy positions this role as critical to the operational success of Ruggable's design function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Leadership & Strategy: Lead a team of designers in developing seasonal and core product collections that strategically align with Ruggable's Design Roadmap and overarching Brand Vision, ensuring market relevance and customer appeal.
• Portfolio Development & Expansion: Collaborate with the VP of Design to cultivate a robust and diverse product portfolio for home goods, with a particular emphasis on expanding Ruggable's expertise in non-printed textile products and constructions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Product, Merchandising, Marketing, and Production teams to ensure design consistency across all touchpoints, validate new product opportunities, and integrate design vision with business objectives.
• Concept & Inspiration: Create and present inspiring mood boards and design concepts that articulate seasonal trends, brand aesthetics, and innovative product directions to internal stakeholders.
• Design-to-Production Oversight: Manage the detailed process of creating production-ready textile design files, ensuring accuracy in color, pattern, and construction specifications, and critically assess strike-offs for quality and adherence to design intent.
• Project & Timeline Management: Oversee multiple design projects concurrently, effectively managing timelines, prioritizing tasks, identifying potential risks, and proactively communicating project status and updates to leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Team Mentorship & Development: Provide strategic guidance, mentorship, and performance management to the design team, fostering professional growth and ensuring the team's output consistently meets Ruggable's high standards for creative excellence.
• Data-Informed Design: Employ a data-driven approach to evaluate product performance, identify market trends, and inform design decisions, ensuring that creative output is grounded in commercial viability and customer insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative leadership and operational execution. The emphasis on "building up our design capability in non-printed products" suggests a strategic growth initiative where this director will play a key role in operationalizing new product development processes and team skill sets.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Design, Fashion Design, Industrial Design, or a closely related creative field.

Experience:

• 8-10 years of progressive experience in a senior design role within the home furnishings, textile, or apparel industries, with a proven track record of leading design initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and mentoring design teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Proven ability to manage the entire design lifecycle, from initial concept ideation through to final production-ready assets.

Required Skills:

• Textile Design Expertise: Deep understanding of textile design principles, including color theory, pattern creation, material properties, and various construction techniques relevant to home goods.
• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Advanced skills in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and potentially InDesign for creating design files, mockups, and presentations.
• Team Leadership & Management: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team of designers, including performance management, coaching, and fostering a positive team dynamic.
• Communication & Presentation: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts, strategies, and project updates clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Project Management: Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Comfort and proficiency in using data analytics, market research, and customer insights to inform design direction and strategic decision-making.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: Ability to work independently, anticipate challenges, and proactively implement solutions to overcome obstacles in the design and development process.

Preferred Skills:

• Home Goods & Rug Design Specialization: A strong portfolio showcasing specific expertise in home furnishings and, ideally, rug design, demonstrating an understanding of market trends and consumer preferences in this sector.
• Textile Construction Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of various textile constructions such as woven, knitted, embroidered, and printed techniques, with an understanding of their application and limitations in product development.
• E-commerce Design Acumen: Familiarity with the unique demands and opportunities of designing for a direct-to-consumer e-commerce brand, including understanding visual merchandising and online product presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Preferred Skills" section, particularly the mention of "Textile Expertise in a variety of constructions," suggests that candidates with hands-on experience in material science and manufacturing processes for textiles will be highly valued. This implies a need for designers who can not only conceptualize but also understand the technical feasibility and production implications of their designs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Design Showcase: A curated portfolio demonstrating a strong aesthetic sensibility, innovative design thinking, and a deep understanding of textile design principles across various home goods categories.
• Process-Oriented Case Studies: Detailed case studies that illustrate the candidate's design process from concept ideation, research, material selection, development, and final execution, highlighting problem-solving approaches.
• Team Leadership & Collaboration Examples: Evidence of leadership capabilities, including examples of mentoring team members, managing design projects, and effectively collaborating with cross-functional departments.
• Commercial Impact & Data Integration: Examples of designs that have achieved commercial success or demonstrated market relevance, showcasing how data and customer insights were integrated into the design decision-making process.
• Technical Proficiency Demonstration: Visual examples of production-ready design files, strike-off assessments, and any technical specifications or documentation created to ensure design accuracy.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Ability to articulate and demonstrate experience in designing and optimizing end-to-end design workflows, from concept brief to final asset delivery, emphasizing efficiency and quality control.
• System Implementation & Integration: Examples of how design processes have been integrated with broader product development systems or tools to ensure seamless data flow and collaboration.
• Performance Measurement & Analysis: Experience in defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to design output, product performance, and team efficiency, demonstrating an analytical approach to design management.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Director role, a portfolio is paramount. Candidates should focus on showcasing not just aesthetic output but also their strategic thinking, process management capabilities, and ability to translate business objectives into tangible design outcomes. Demonstrating how they've improved design processes or team efficiency will be highly valuable.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $150,000 - $160,000 per year base salary.

Benefits:

• Annual Bonus: Eligibility for an annual bonus, with the percentage varying based on the role's level and individual/company performance.
• 401K Matching: Employer matching contributions of up to 3% of base salary for the company-sponsored 401K plan, supporting long-term financial planning.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: While not explicitly detailed, a company of Ruggable's size and growth trajectory typically offers robust health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Paid Time Off: Standard benefits likely include paid time off (PTO), holidays, and potentially sick leave.
• Employee Discount: Potential for employee discounts on Ruggable products.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, generally assuming a standard 40-hour work week. However, the hybrid nature of the role may offer some flexibility in daily scheduling, with specific expectations for in-office days to be clarified during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Design Director role in the Los Angeles area, especially for a rapidly growing e-commerce company. The inclusion of an annual bonus and 401K matching demonstrates a commitment to employee compensation and long-term financial well-being, which are attractive benefits for senior-level operations and design professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Home Goods E-commerce / Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Company Size: Ruggable is a venture-backed, high-growth startup, indicating a dynamic and fast-paced work environment. The exact employee count is not provided, but its scale suggests a team size that allows for both specialized roles and cross-functional collaboration. Founded: Ruggable was founded with a focus on disrupting the home décor industry through an innovative, patented washable rug design. This entrepreneurial spirit likely permeates the company culture, encouraging innovation, agility, and a results-oriented mindset.

Team Structure:

• Design Leadership: The Design Director reports to the VP of Design, forming a key part of the senior design leadership team responsible for setting the creative vision and strategic direction.
• Design Team: The Director will lead a team of designers focused on textile and product design, likely comprising specialists in different areas or stages of the design process.
• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with departments such as Product Development, Merchandising, Marketing, Operations, and potentially Technology, ensuring alignment across the entire product lifecycle and business strategy.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Operations: Ruggable emphasizes a data-driven approach to decision-making, suggesting that design strategies and product development will be informed by analytics, market research, and customer feedback.
• Agile & Iterative Processes: As a high-growth e-commerce brand, Ruggable likely employs agile methodologies, allowing for quick iteration, adaptation to market changes, and continuous improvement in product offerings and processes.
• Customer-Centricity: The company's mission and focus on customer loyalty indicate a strong customer-centric approach, where design decisions are made with the end-user experience and satisfaction in mind.

Company Website: https://ruggable.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Ruggable's position as a rapidly growing DTC brand means the Design Director will operate in an environment that values speed, innovation, and measurable results. Understanding the company's success drivers (washable, stylish, convenient rugs) and its growth trajectory will be key to aligning design strategy with business goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the design and product development function. It's a management-level role with significant strategic influence and direct team leadership responsibilities, bridging creative vision with operational execution.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director reports directly to the VP of Design. This structure allows for clear strategic alignment and mentorship, with the Director being responsible for translating the VP's vision into actionable design plans and team output.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact is crucial to Ruggable's success by directly influencing product assortment, brand aesthetic, and customer appeal. Effective design leadership drives product innovation, enhances brand perception, and ultimately contributes to revenue growth and market differentiation. The ability to expand into new product categories also represents significant potential for operational scaling and market share expansion.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a VP of Design or a broader Head of Product role as the company scales and expands its product lines.
• Strategic Initiative Leadership: Opportunity to lead significant new product development initiatives, such as expanding into new textile categories or driving innovation in material science and design technology.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Development of broader business acumen through close collaboration with marketing, operations, and e-commerce teams, leading to a more holistic understanding of the DTC business model.
• Mentorship & Team Building: Opportunity to build and shape a high-performing design team, developing leadership skills and contributing to a positive company culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for career growth in a high-potential DTC company. The emphasis on expanding into new product areas provides a chance to shape the future of Ruggable's offerings and build a strong personal brand in the industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Ruggable operates a Design + Product Studio in Los Angeles, suggesting a creative and collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and product development. The hybrid schedule indicates a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Los Angeles, California, United States. Specific location details would be provided during the interview process, but being in a major design hub like LA offers access to talent and industry connections.

Workspace Context:

• Creative Hub: Expect a studio environment that encourages visual exploration, brainstorming, and hands-on work with materials and samples.
• Collaborative Culture: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional work imply a need for strong communication and a collaborative spirit, with designated in-office days likely focused on team meetings, ideation sessions, and project reviews.
• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Suite) and potentially other project management or collaboration tools will be available to support the design workflow.

Work Schedule: A hybrid work arrangement is in place, requiring a balance between working from the Los Angeles Design + Product Studio and remotely. Specific days and expectations for office presence will be clarified during the interview process, but it's typical for such roles to require 2-3 days per week in the office for key collaborative activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role requires candidates to be comfortable with both independent work and in-person collaboration. Understanding the company's approach to hybrid work and how they facilitate seamless collaboration between remote and in-office team members will be important.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A preliminary discussion with HR or a recruiter to assess general qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.
• Hiring Manager Interview: An in-depth conversation with the VP of Design to discuss experience, leadership philosophy, strategic approach to design, and team management capabilities.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing key projects, design process, and leadership examples. This is a critical stage for demonstrating creative and operational strengths.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product Development, Merchandising, or Marketing to assess collaboration skills, understanding of business objectives, and ability to integrate design with broader company goals.
• Final Round: Potentially includes a presentation or case study exercise, followed by a final interview with senior leadership to confirm fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling with Data: Structure your portfolio presentations around compelling narratives that highlight not just the aesthetic outcome but the problem solved, the process followed, and the measurable impact (e.g., sales, customer engagement, efficiency gains).
• Demonstrate Process: Clearly articulate your design methodology, including research, ideation, prototyping, iteration, and collaboration. Show how you navigate challenges and make decisions.
• Highlight Leadership: Include examples of how you've led teams, mentored designers, managed projects, and influenced strategic direction. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Showcase Versatility: Present a range of projects that demonstrate your expertise in different textile constructions, design styles, and product categories, emphasizing your ability to expand into new areas like non-printed products.
• Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to discuss your design choices, rationale behind decisions, and how you adapt to feedback and evolving project requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design challenge that might involve creating mood boards, conceptualizing new product lines, or developing design solutions for a specific brief, simulating real-world tasks.
• Process Improvement Scenario: Consider how you would approach improving a specific design process or addressing a common challenge in textile product development.
• Strategic Thinking: Anticipate questions about market trends, competitive analysis, and how you would align Ruggable's design strategy with its business goals and growth objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is likely the most critical component of the application process. Candidates should invest significant time in curating their work to showcase not only creative talent but also operational efficiency, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities relevant to a Director-level role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all visual design tasks, including pattern creation, color manipulation, layout design, and preparing files for production. Proficiency in Photoshop and Illustrator is a must.
• Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or Jira may be used for task management, workflow tracking, and team collaboration.
• Digital Asset Management (DAM) Systems: Potentially used for organizing and storing design assets, ensuring version control and accessibility.
• Collaboration Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for daily team communication and cross-functional interaction.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics / Adobe Analytics: For understanding website traffic, product performance, and customer behavior to inform design decisions.
• BI Tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI): May be used for more in-depth data analysis and visualization of design-related metrics or product performance.
• Internal Reporting Dashboards: Ruggable likely has internal dashboards for tracking sales, inventory, and product performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot): While not directly managed by design, understanding how customer data is managed and utilized can inform design strategy and personalization efforts.
• PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) Systems: Potentially used for managing product development data, specifications, and workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is primarily design-focused, familiarity with project management and digital asset management tools is crucial for operational efficiency. Understanding how design output integrates with broader business intelligence and product lifecycle management processes will be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creative Excellence: A commitment to producing high-quality, innovative, and aesthetically pleasing designs that resonate with the Ruggable brand and target audience.
• Data-Driven Innovation: Utilizing insights from data, market trends, and customer feedback to inform design decisions and drive product innovation effectively.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where designers work effectively with each other and across departments to achieve shared goals.
• Agility & Adaptability: Embracing a fast-paced, evolving work environment, with the ability to adapt quickly to new trends, challenges, and business priorities.
• Results-Oriented: A focus on delivering tangible outcomes, driving product success, and contributing directly to the company's growth and profitability.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with Product, Marketing, and Merchandising teams to ensure design strategies are aligned with business objectives and market demands.
• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent and direct communication within the design team and with cross-functional partners, facilitating constructive feedback and problem-solving.
• Shared Vision: Working towards a unified brand vision and product strategy, ensuring all design efforts contribute to Ruggable's overall mission and aesthetic.
• Process Improvement Focus: Continuously seeking ways to optimize design workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality and speed of product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Ruggable's culture likely values proactivity, a strong work ethic, and a passion for the home goods industry. A candidate who can demonstrate these qualities, alongside strong design leadership and operational acumen, will be a strong fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Growth Management: As a high-growth company, managing the pace of new product introductions and ensuring design quality and consistency across an expanding portfolio can be challenging.
• Balancing Trend & Brand Identity: Staying ahead of home décor trends while maintaining a cohesive and recognizable Ruggable brand identity requires strategic foresight and creative agility.
• Expanding Product Categories: Successfully translating design expertise from rugs to other non-printed textile categories will require research, experimentation, and adaptation of existing design processes.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless collaboration and buy-in from diverse departments (Product, Marketing, Operations) for design initiatives requires strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• New Category Expertise: Opportunity to develop deep expertise in a broader range of textile products and manufacturing processes beyond rugs.
• E-commerce Strategy: Gain valuable insights into the operational and strategic aspects of a successful direct-to-consumer e-commerce business.
• Leadership Development: Enhance leadership and team-building skills within a dynamic, growth-oriented company environment.
• Industry Exposure: Attend relevant industry events, trade shows, and conferences to stay abreast of emerging trends and innovations in textile design and home décor.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role in a fast-growing company. Embracing these challenges as opportunities for learning and contributing to strategic growth will be key to success in this position.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a design roadmap for Ruggable's expansion into new non-printed textile categories?"
• "Describe your process for leading a design team through a period of rapid growth and evolving product demands."
• "How do you balance staying current with design trends with maintaining a consistent and strong brand identity for Ruggable?"
• "Walk us through a time you used data and customer insights to significantly influence a design decision. What was the outcome?"
• "How do you foster collaboration and ensure alignment between the design team and cross-functional partners like Product Development and Marketing?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Ruggable's brand and product offering?"
• "Based on your understanding, how would you contribute to Ruggable's culture of creative excellence and achievement?"
• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your design work and your team's output?"
• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote team environment and how you ensure effective collaboration."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: Organize your portfolio presentations around clear narratives for each project, highlighting the problem, your approach, the solution, and the impact.
• Process Visualization: Use visual aids (e.g., flowcharts, timelines, mood boards) to illustrate your design process and decision-making journey.
• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., sales performance, customer engagement, efficiency improvements).
• Leadership Examples: Integrate examples of your leadership, team management, and cross-functional collaboration directly within your project showcases.
• Tailor to Ruggable: Explicitly connect your experience and portfolio pieces to Ruggable's brand, products, and stated objectives, especially regarding home goods and textile innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've managed design teams, driven product innovation, and leveraged data to inform creative decisions. Demonstrating a clear understanding of Ruggable's business and its market position will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse job board.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your design portfolio to prominently feature projects relevant to home goods, textile design, and leadership experiences. Ensure it highlights your process, impact, and any experience with product expansion.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize leadership achievements, years of experience in senior design roles, proficiency with Adobe Suite, and any experience with data-driven decision-making or managing design teams. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, leadership style, and project management approach. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to present your portfolio confidently, focusing on Ruggable's context.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Ruggable's website, product lines, recent news, and market position. Understand their unique selling propositions and how your design leadership can contribute to their continued growth and innovation.

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