Lead Designer, Mens Branded Basketball Apparel Product Design

Sure, here is the enhanced job description based on the provided input data.

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Designer, Mens Branded Basketball Apparel Product Design Company: Nike Location: Beaverton, Oregon, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / Apparel Design Date Posted: August 01, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the product design vision for Men's Branded Basketball Apparel, driving innovation and performance excellence.
• Translate consumer insights, athlete needs, and market trends into compelling apparel collections.
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with design, product management, merchandising, and development teams.
• Lead design initiatives for key product lines including Branded/On Court Performance and Signature Athlete collections.
• Champion a culture of creativity, resilience, and team-driven success within the design department.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Lead Designer, indicating a significant level of creative ownership and strategic input into product direction, rather than purely execution. The focus on "vision," "innovation," and "leading change" suggests a role that influences the future of Nike's basketball apparel offerings.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and develop innovative apparel designs for Men's Basketball, focusing on both performance and style.
• Create detailed design presentations, sketches, and mood boards to articulate design direction and concepts to internal teams and external partners.
• Collaborate closely with graphic designers to integrate branding elements and visual narratives into apparel collections.
• Work with material and trim development teams to select appropriate fabrics, finishes, and components that enhance product performance and aesthetic.
• Partner with Technical Development and Sourcing teams to ensure design intent is maintained through the manufacturing process, focusing on fit, construction, and quality.
• Conduct thorough market research, trend analysis, and athlete insight gathering to inform design decisions and product strategies.
• Manage design projects effectively, ensuring timely delivery of design assets and adherence to seasonal timelines.
• Provide design feedback and direction to cross-functional partners throughout the product creation lifecycle.
• Contribute to collection-based design, ensuring cohesive storytelling and visual identity across all product offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design execution and strategic project management. The emphasis on "collection-based design," "storytelling," and "athlete insight gathering" points towards a role that is deeply integrated with market understanding and brand narrative.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Apparel/Fashion Design or a closely related field.
• Equivalent practical experience in lieu of a degree will be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in apparel design, with a strong emphasis on sport performance or sport style.
• Proven experience in developing and managing relationships with cross-functional teams, including product management, merchandising, material development, and technical design.
• Demonstrated success in creating and presenting design concepts and collections.

Required Skills:

• Apparel Design: Extensive experience in conceptualizing, designing, and developing apparel, with a portfolio showcasing sport performance and/or sport style.
• Adobe Illustrator Proficiency: Advanced skills in Adobe Illustrator for creating technical sketches, design layouts, and visual presentations.
• Foundational Design Skills: Exceptional ability in sketching, illustration (analog and digital), color theory, and concept ideation.
• Material & Fit Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of apparel materials, construction techniques, and fit principles relevant to athletic wear.
• Collaboration & Communication: Proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams and communicate design ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Storytelling: Skill in crafting compelling narratives around product concepts and collections.
• Research Acumen: Strong ability to gather and interpret consumer insights, market trends, and athlete feedback to drive design decisions.

Preferred Skills:

• 3D Design Experience: Familiarity with 3D design software for product visualization and prototyping.
• Basketball Culture Insight: In-depth knowledge and passion for basketball culture, athletes, and style trends.
• Collection Design: Experience in designing cohesive, collection-based apparel lines.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to identify challenges and develop innovative design solutions.
• Time Management & Prioritization: Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines consistently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "5+ years of relevant work experience" alongside a Bachelor's degree suggests this is a mid-to-senior level design role. The mention of "extra consideration" for sport performance and sport style innovation indicates a preference for candidates with a strong background in athletic apparel.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive digital portfolio demonstrating a strong design point of view, creative problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of apparel design principles.
• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct apparel projects, preferably within sport performance or sport style categories, with a focus on Men's Basketball.
• Include detailed case studies for key projects, highlighting the design process from concept ideation through to final product.
• Demonstrate proficiency in translating consumer insights, athlete feedback, and market trends into tangible design solutions.
• Clearly present technical sketches, color palettes, material selections, and final product renderings, illustrating an understanding of garment construction and fit.

Process Documentation:

• For each project portfolio piece, provide a brief overview of the design process undertaken, including research methods, ideation stages, and collaboration points.
• Detail how feedback from cross-functional teams and athletes was incorporated into design iterations.
• Illustrate how material and fit considerations were integrated into the design development process.
• Showcase the ability to articulate the narrative and inspiration behind the designs, demonstrating storytelling capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, a Lead Designer role at a company like Nike would undoubtedly require a robust portfolio that showcases not just aesthetic talent but also a structured design process, problem-solving capabilities, and an understanding of product development from concept to execution. The portfolio should reflect the ability to contribute to collection-level thinking.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for Lead Apparel Designers in Beaverton, Oregon, with 5-10 years of experience at a major global brand like Nike, the estimated salary range is approximately $100,000 - $140,000 annually. This range may vary based on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401(k)).
• Employee discounts on Nike products and other company perks.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and continuing education.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Access to state-of-the-art design facilities and technology.
• Commuter benefits and wellness programs.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours.
• Flexibility may be available, with a focus on project deadlines and collaborative needs.
• Occasional overtime may be required during peak seasons or critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on general market data for comparable roles in the Beaverton, OR area, considering the experience level and industry. Nike is known for offering competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits packages to attract top talent in creative and technical fields.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Athletic Footwear and Apparel. Nike is a global leader in the sports industry, renowned for its innovation, brand storytelling, and commitment to athletes worldwide. Company Size: Nike is a large, publicly traded corporation with tens of thousands of employees globally. This signifies a dynamic environment with ample resources, established processes, and diverse career opportunities. Founded: 1964. With a long history, Nike has built a strong legacy of innovation and a deep understanding of athletic performance and consumer needs. This provides a foundation of expertise and brand recognition.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Men's Basketball Apparel Design Director.
• The designer will be part of a team responsible for Branded Basketball, Signature Athlete, NBA, and NBA Uniform Apparel.
• This team likely includes other designers, product managers, merchandisers, and collaborates closely with material developers, technical designers, and sourcing specialists.
• The environment fosters strong cross-functional relationships and collaborative problem-solving.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Nike emphasizes using consumer and athlete insights, along with market trend analysis, to inform design decisions.
• Innovation Focus: A core tenet is pushing boundaries in materials, performance, and aesthetics to "bring inspiration and innovation to every Athlete."
• Collaborative Process: The design process is highly collaborative, involving input and feedback from various departments to ensure product success.
• Storytelling: Brand narrative and emotional connection are integral to Nike's design approach, aiming to inspire athletes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Nike's culture is deeply rooted in athletic performance, innovation, and a strong brand identity. The design teams are expected to be passionate about sports, deeply understand athlete needs, and contribute to Nike's mission of inspiring every athlete. The "Make Athletes* Dreams Real" mission is a guiding principle.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Lead Designer. This position signifies a senior individual contributor role with significant creative leadership and ownership over specific product categories or lines. It implies a high level of expertise and the ability to influence design direction. Reporting Structure: The Lead Designer reports to the Men's Basketball Apparel Design Director, indicating a clear line of management and strategic alignment. Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on Nike's product offerings in the critical Men's Basketball category. Successful designs contribute to brand perception, athlete performance, sales revenue, and market positioning within the basketball segment.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to advance to Senior Design Director or Category Design Lead roles within Nike’s extensive design organization.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like performance apparel, signature athlete collaborations, or advanced material innovation.
• Cross-Category Exposure: Opportunities to contribute to other sports categories or product types within Nike's diverse portfolio.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning through internal workshops, external trend research, material innovation exposure, and collaboration with world-class talent.
• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers and contribute to team development.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a "Lead" role, this position is a significant step in a design career. It offers not just creative fulfillment but also the chance to shape a major product category for a global brand, with clear pathways for further advancement and specialization within Nike's robust career development framework.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Nike's World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, is a sprawling campus designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation. It includes state-of-the-art design studios, material labs, and collaborative workspaces. Office Location(s): Beaverton, Oregon, USA. This location is Nike's global hub, offering a highly integrated work environment with access to all company resources and departments.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Studios: Designers work in open studio environments, encouraging spontaneous interaction, feedback, and idea sharing among peers.
• Product Development Labs: Access to material libraries, fit labs, and prototyping resources that support hands-on design exploration.
• Technology Integration: Workstations equipped with advanced design software, digital tools, and potentially 3D visualization capabilities.
• Cross-Functional Proximity: Design teams are often co-located or have easy access to product management, merchandising, and development counterparts, facilitating seamless collaboration.

Work Schedule:

• The role is primarily on-site at Nike's World Headquarters in Beaverton, OR, to leverage the collaborative environment and resources.
• While a standard 40-hour work week is expected, the nature of design work often involves periods of intense focus and flexibility to meet project deadlines and creative demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is crucial for a design role at Nike, emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration, access to physical materials and labs, and immersion in the company's creative culture. The Beaverton campus is a unique ecosystem for design professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and design aesthetic.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to a panel of design leaders, product managers, and potentially athletes. This will involve discussing past projects, design process, and problem-solving approaches.
• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical design task or case study may be assigned to evaluate creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to respond to design briefs under time constraints.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from product management, merchandising, and technical development to assess collaboration and communication skills.
• Cultural Fit Assessment: Discussions to gauge alignment with Nike's values, passion for sport, and ability to contribute to the team culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your strongest projects (3-5) that are most relevant to sport performance apparel, basketball, and the Lead Designer responsibilities.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your design process, the insights that drove your decisions, and the final outcome. Highlight your unique contribution.
• Demonstrate Process: Include sketches, mood boards, color studies, material explorations, and technical drawings to illustrate your design journey.
• Highlight Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., how your design improved performance, met a specific athlete need, or contributed to a successful collection).
• Showcase Collaboration: Mention how you worked with other teams (e.g., graphics, materials, tech) and incorporated their feedback.
• Tailor to Nike: Emphasize how your design philosophy and aesthetic align with Nike's brand, innovation, and athlete-centric approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to think critically about design briefs and articulate your thought process clearly.
• Practice sketching and ideation under pressure.
• Research current basketball apparel trends, key athletes, and Nike's recent product innovations.
• Understand Nike's design language and how to apply it within specific product contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a design role at Nike is rigorous and aims to assess not only creative talent but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. A strong, well-documented portfolio that tells a compelling story is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency in Adobe Illustrator (for technical flats, line art, design layouts), Photoshop (for rendering, mood boards, colorways), and potentially InDesign (for presentations).
• 3D Design Software (Preferred): Experience with tools like CLO3D, Browzwear, or similar 3D apparel design software is a strong advantage for visualization and prototyping.
• PLM Systems: Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software for managing design data, specifications, and product development workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary responsibility, an understanding of how design choices impact sales performance and consumer feedback is beneficial. Access to internal reporting tools for market insights may be provided.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how design data feeds into broader company systems (like PLM) is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator is a non-negotiable requirement for apparel designers. The increasing adoption of 3D design tools in the fashion industry means experience in this area is highly valued and increasingly expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Athlete Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of athletes at all levels.
• Innovation: A drive to push boundaries, explore new materials, and create groundbreaking products.
• Collaboration: A belief in the power of teamwork and cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals.
• Creativity & Craftsmanship: A dedication to artistic expression, meticulous detail, and high-quality execution.
• Resilience & Optimism: The ability to navigate challenges, learn from setbacks, and maintain a positive, forward-looking attitude.
• Impact: A focus on creating products that make a tangible difference in athletes' lives and inspire movement.

Collaboration Style:

• Radical Collaboration: Encouraged to work closely and transparently with all stakeholders, fostering an environment of open communication and idea exchange.
• Team-Oriented: Prioritizing team success and collective achievement over individual accolades.
• Feedback-Driven: Actively seeking and providing constructive feedback to continuously improve designs and processes.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Building strong working relationships with graphic design, product management, merchandising, and technical development teams to ensure holistic product creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Nike's culture is characterized by its passion for sport, innovation, and a strong sense of purpose. Designers are expected to embody these values, contributing to a dynamic and inspiring work environment. The emphasis on "radical collaboration" suggests a very integrated and communicative team structure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Performance and Style: Effectively merging technical performance requirements with aesthetic appeal and brand storytelling for the basketball audience.
• Market Trend Agility: Staying ahead of rapidly evolving fashion trends, basketball culture shifts, and competitor innovations.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating diverse perspectives and priorities from various departments to ensure cohesive product development.
• Meeting High Expectations: Consistently delivering innovative and market-leading designs for a globally recognized brand like Nike.
• Project Management: Managing multiple design projects simultaneously with tight deadlines and diverse creative briefs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Trend Forecasting: Access to industry trend reports, trade shows, and internal trend analysis teams.
• Material Innovation: Exposure to Nike's advanced material research and development labs.
• Technical Skill Enhancement: Training in new design software, 3D modeling, and advanced visualization techniques.
• Athlete Immersion: Opportunities to connect with athletes, understand their needs firsthand, and observe product performance in real-world scenarios.
• Mentorship Programs: Guidance from senior design leaders and experienced professionals within Nike.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a lead design role in a fast-paced, innovation-driven industry. Nike's commitment to employee growth means these challenges often come with significant learning and development opportunities, allowing designers to expand their skill sets and career horizons.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Philosophy: Be prepared to articulate your personal design philosophy, how it aligns with Nike's brand, and what inspires your work in athletic apparel.
• Basketball Market Expertise: Discuss your understanding of the Men's Basketball apparel market, key trends, influential athletes, and style culture.
• Problem-Solving Approach: Explain how you approach design challenges, from initial concept to final product, using specific examples from your portfolio.
• Collaboration Experience: Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams and how you manage differing opinions or feedback to achieve a common goal.
• Innovation in Design: Discuss how you incorporate innovation into your designs, whether through materials, construction, or aesthetic.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Passion for Nike: Why Nike? What specifically about this role and the Men's Basketball category excites you?
• Team Contribution: How would you contribute to building a positive and collaborative team culture at Nike?
• Understanding of Nike Values: How do Nike's core values (e.g., innovation, athlete focus) manifest in your own work and approach?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the objective, your role, the process, the challenges, the solutions, and the outcome.
• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your presentation explicitly demonstrates your proficiency in sketching, Adobe Illustrator, material knowledge, and collaborative abilities.
• Showcase Basketball Relevance: Focus on projects that best represent your understanding of sport performance and basketball aesthetics.
• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your presentation to ensure it flows well and stays within the allotted time, focusing on the most impactful aspects of your work.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, technical execution, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Effective interview preparation for this role involves not only showcasing design talent but also demonstrating a deep understanding of Nike's brand, culture, and the specific demands of the basketball apparel market. A well-rehearsed portfolio presentation that highlights a structured, collaborative, and athlete-centric design process is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Nike careers portal.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a digital portfolio that strongly emphasizes your relevant apparel design experience, particularly in sport performance or basketball. Include detailed case studies that illustrate your design process, problem-solving skills, and collaborative approach.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords such as "Apparel Design," "Product Design," "Basketball," "Sport Performance," "Adobe Illustrator," "Collaboration," "Trend Research," and "Collection Design." Quantify your achievements whenever possible.
• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, articulate your design philosophy, and demonstrate your understanding of Nike's brand and culture. Practice answering behavioral questions related to teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Nike's current product lines, recent marketing campaigns, and key athletes within the basketball division. Understand their design ethos and how your skills can contribute.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions based on the provided information and general knowledge of Nike's hiring practices in design roles. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.