Product Designer, Home Decor

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer, Home Decor
Company: Target
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Product Design / Merchandising Operations
Date Posted: September 18, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Level to Senior (4+ years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design and development of Target Owned Brand home décor products, from initial concept to final production, ensuring alignment with merchant line plans and brand strategies.
• Interpret market trends, consumer needs, and brand concepts to translate them into innovative and commercially viable product designs across categories like Decorative Accessories and Wall Decor.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with merchant, sourcing, technical design, and marketing teams to maintain creative direction, ensure brand consistency, and achieve business objectives.
• Utilize a blend of traditional design skills and emerging technologies, including AI design tools, to create compelling product presentations and resolve design challenges.
• Maintain a diligent approach to workload management, including timely communication with internal and external partners, and proactive calendar and process management.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Product Designer," the responsibilities and cross-functional collaboration with merchant and sourcing counterparts position this role within a broader Merchandising Operations or Product Development Operations context. The emphasis on driving brand cohesion and meeting business objectives highlights the operational aspect of bringing products to market effectively.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design Target Owned Brand home décor products across various categories, including Decorative Accessories and Wall Decor, ensuring alignment with trend forecasts and brand creative direction.
• Conduct market and consumer research to identify user needs, market opportunities, and emerging trends in the home décor space, informing product strategy and design direction.
• Select appropriate materials, colors, artwork, finishes, and components to create beautiful, inspiring, and high-quality products that meet price point targets.
• Translate design ideas into actionable product direction using CAD, 3D rendering, AI renders, and hand sketches, preparing professional visual boards for internal and external partner presentations.
• Partner closely with technical designers, engineers, buyers, and sourcing colleagues to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve product development and production issues, ensuring design integrity and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with the Brand and Concept team to ensure cohesive design vision and continuity across product assortments.
• Manage individual workload and calendar effectively, ensuring timely communication and delivery of design assets and project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong operational component in managing the product lifecycle, from trend interpretation and material selection to cross-functional collaboration for issue resolution. This requires a structured approach to design projects and effective stakeholder management, common in operations-focused roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Fine Art, Industrial Design, or a closely related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in product design and development, preferably within the home décor or consumer goods industry.
• Proven track record of successfully bringing products from concept to market, demonstrating an understanding of the product development lifecycle.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level skills in Illustrator and Photoshop for creating original artwork, mockups, and design presentations.
• Strong Sketching and Illustration Skills: Excellent hand-sketching abilities and proficiency in CAD illustration or 2D/3D software for visualizing and refining product designs.
• Material and Manufacturing Knowledge: Understanding of a wide variety of soft and hard materials, their properties, and their application in product design and manufacturing.
• Trend Analysis and Forecasting: Ability to identify, interpret, and translate market trends and consumer insights into actionable design concepts.
• Strategic and Business Acumen: A business-oriented mindset with the ability to understand and respond to business objectives, line plans, and price points with creative and cost-effective design solutions.
• Collaboration and Communication: Highly collaborative spirit with the ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate design vision clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design and product development, ensuring high standards of quality and execution.

Preferred Skills:

• CAD/3D Software Proficiency: Experience with 3D modeling and rendering tools (e.g., Rhino, Keyshot, Blender) to create realistic product visualizations.
• AI Design Tools Knowledge: Familiarity with or interest in exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) design tools for concept generation and workflow enhancement.
• Product Feedback Assimilation: Experience in receiving, interpreting, and integrating product feedback from various sources to improve designs.
• Interior Design Knowledge: A strong understanding of interior design principles, aesthetics, and current design movements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "business-oriented mindset," "cost-effective design solutions," and "product development process" suggests the need for candidates who can balance creative vision with commercial viability, a key trait in operations-aligned design roles. The mention of AI design tools indicates a forward-thinking approach to design operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Process Showcase: Demonstrate a clear, repeatable design process from research and ideation through to final product development and presentation.
• Product Development Case Studies: Include 2-3 detailed case studies of home décor products you have designed, highlighting the problem, your solution, materials used, and the outcome.
• Visual Presentation Excellence: Showcase strong visual communication skills through high-quality renderings, mood boards, sketches, and final product imagery.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Illustrate instances where you collaborated with cross-functional teams (e.g., merchandising, sourcing, manufacturing) to bring products to life, detailing your role and contributions.
• Trend Integration: Provide examples of how you have successfully integrated current trends and consumer insights into your product designs.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Mapping: Be prepared to discuss your typical workflow for managing multiple design projects simultaneously, including how you prioritize tasks and manage deadlines.
• Material Research and Selection: Showcase your approach to researching and selecting appropriate materials, considering factors like cost, durability, aesthetics, and sustainability.
• Design Iteration and Feedback Integration: Explain how you incorporate feedback from stakeholders and conduct design iterations to refine product concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, serving as evidence of design capability and process management. The emphasis on "process documentation" and "workflow mapping" indicates that interviewers will be looking for candidates who can articulate their methodical approach to design projects, akin to operations professionals managing projects and workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $71,000 - $128,000 per year (USD)

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Eligible team members and their dependents receive comprehensive health benefits, including medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan to support long-term financial planning.
• Employee Discount: A significant employee discount on Target products.
• Disability Coverage: Short-term and long-term disability insurance to provide financial security.
• Paid Time Off: Paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation time.
• Additional Benefits: Access to a wide range of programs covering financial, educational, and well-being aspects.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid work arrangement may offer some flexibility in managing workdays between office and remote settings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Product Designer role with 4+ years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Minneapolis. The benefits package is robust, aligning with Target's reputation as a large employer that invests in its team members' well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (General Merchandise)
Company Size: Large (Target is a Fortune 50 company with over 400,000 employees globally).
Founded: 1902 by George Draper Dayton. Target has a long-standing history of innovation and customer focus in the retail sector.

Team Structure:

• The Design team operates within a larger Merchandising or Product Development function, working in close partnership with merchant and sourcing teams.
• Designers are organized by product category (e.g., Home Decor) and report into a Design Leadership team.
• Cross-functional collaboration is integral, involving close partnerships with Brand Managers, Concept Developers, Buyers, Technical Designers, Engineers, and Sourcing Specialists.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by market research, consumer insights, sales data, and trend analysis.
• Agile Product Development: While not explicitly stated as "agile," the process involves iterative design, feedback loops, and collaboration to meet business objectives efficiently.
• Trend Integration: A core methodology involves staying ahead of industry trends and translating them into commercially viable products.
• Brand Cohesion Focus: Emphasis on maintaining a consistent and cohesive brand identity across all product lines.

Company Website: https://corporate.target.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Target's culture is known for its fast-paced environment, strong emphasis on guest (customer) experience, and a commitment to innovation. For a Product Designer, this means working in a dynamic setting where design directly impacts millions of consumers, requiring adaptability and a keen understanding of market trends and business needs. The "Merchandising Operations" aspect implies a structured approach to product creation and delivery.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-to-senior level within the Product Design function, requiring demonstrated expertise and a degree of autonomy. It bridges creative execution with operational responsibilities for product development.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report to a Design Leadership team and work collaboratively with various cross-functional departments. This structure allows for exposure to different facets of the retail business, including merchandising, sourcing, and brand management.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work directly influences Target's owned brand product assortment, impacting sales performance, brand perception, and customer satisfaction. Successful product designs contribute to revenue growth and market differentiation, showcasing a tangible impact on business operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in specific home décor categories or product types.
• Leadership: Progress into Senior Designer, Design Manager, or Art Director roles, leading design teams and strategies.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Transition into roles within Merchandising, Sourcing, or Brand Management, leveraging design understanding in broader business operations.
• Skill Development: Opportunities to learn and apply new design technologies, including AI tools, and gain exposure to different aspects of the retail supply chain.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a large, established retail organization. The blend of creative and operational responsibilities provides a strong foundation for advancing into leadership positions or specializing in product development operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement. This means a blend of working from the Target HQ MN office and remotely, based on the needs of the role, team, and specific tasks.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Target HQ at 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403-2542.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Minneapolis HQ is designed to foster collaboration, with ample opportunities for in-person interaction with design, merchandising, and other key teams.
• Technology-Enabled: Access to necessary design software, hardware, and potentially shared digital collaboration platforms.
• Inspiration and Resources: Proximity to design resources, trend libraries, and potential product showrooms within the HQ environment.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with the hybrid arrangement allowing for some flexibility in structuring workdays between home and office. The expectation is to be present at HQ when required for collaboration, meetings, or specific project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model requires self-discipline and effective time management. Successful candidates will need to be comfortable coordinating their on-site days to maximize collaboration opportunities with their respective teams and stakeholders.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of application and resume for basic qualifications.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing design process, key projects, and problem-solving approaches. Expect to discuss your role in each project and the business impact.
• Skills Assessment: Potential for a design challenge or a discussion focused on specific technical skills (e.g., Adobe Suite proficiency, CAD capabilities).
• Behavioral and Situational Interviews: Questions designed to assess collaboration, problem-solving, trend interpretation, and alignment with Target's culture and values. This may involve panel interviews with design leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Final Round: May involve interviews with senior leadership and a final discussion on strategic fit and vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Examples: Focus on 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects for home décor.
• Showcase Your Process: Clearly articulate your design methodology, from initial concept to final product. Highlight research, ideation, material selection, and problem-solving.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or outcomes related to your designs (e.g., sales performance, customer feedback, cost savings).
• Highlight Collaboration: Detail your interactions and contributions when working with cross-functional teams.
• Tailor to Target: Demonstrate an understanding of Target's brand aesthetic and customer base.

Challenge Preparation:

• Trend Application: Be prepared to discuss current home décor trends and how you would apply them to Target's brand.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would address specific design challenges or resolve product issues.
• Material Knowledge: Brush up on common materials used in home décor and their properties.
• Communication Practice: Practice articulating your design ideas clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a diverse group of stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical stage. Candidates should be ready to walk through their design process, explain their rationale, and demonstrate how their work aligns with business objectives and brand strategy. The mention of "AI design tools" suggests a potential question or discussion point around innovation in design workflows.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Illustrator: Essential for creating vector graphics, logos, patterns, and technical drawings.
  • Photoshop: Crucial for image manipulation, mood boards, rendering, and creating visual presentations.
• CAD/3D Software:
  • Proficiency in CAD illustration or 2D/3D software and rendering tools is required. Examples may include Rhino, SolidWorks, Keyshot, Blender, or similar industry-standard applications for creating detailed product models and visualizations.
• AI Design Tools:
  • Knowledge or interest in AI design tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Adobe Firefly) for concept generation, mood board creation, or exploring new design possibilities.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct analytics role, understanding how to interpret market data, sales performance, and consumer feedback to inform design decisions is key. Experience with data visualization tools or dashboards may be beneficial for presenting insights.

CRM & Automation:

• Experience with project management or collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira) may be helpful for managing design workflows and communicating with teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with 3D rendering and AI design tools are increasingly valuable assets that can differentiate candidates, especially in a large, forward-thinking company like Target.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Guest Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the Target guest by creating desirable and accessible products.
• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas, embracing emerging technologies (like AI), and pushing creative boundaries.
• Collaboration: Fostering strong partnerships across teams to achieve shared goals and deliver cohesive product lines.
• Efficiency & Agility: A focus on streamlined processes and the ability to adapt quickly to market changes and business needs.
• Accountability: Taking ownership of projects, delivering high-quality work, and contributing positively to team outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Proactive engagement with merchant, sourcing, and technical partners to ensure designs are feasible, aligned with business goals, and executed effectively.
• Constructive Feedback: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to enhance designs and processes.
• Shared Vision: Working towards a common understanding of brand direction and product strategy to ensure consistency and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: Target's values emphasize a customer-centric approach combined with a drive for continuous improvement and teamwork. For a designer, this means balancing creative vision with commercial realities and ensuring design output supports broader business operations and brand goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Trends with Brand Identity: Effectively translating broad market trends into cohesive designs that align with Target's specific brand aesthetic and value proposition, avoiding fleeting fads.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating diverse stakeholder priorities and ensuring seamless communication and collaboration across multiple departments (merchandising, sourcing, technical design, marketing).
• Fast-Paced Retail Environment: Adapting to tight deadlines and rapidly changing market demands inherent in the retail industry.
• Technical Constraints: Designing within manufacturing limitations, cost targets, and material availability while maintaining design integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Retail Operations: Gain in-depth understanding of the entire product lifecycle, from trend forecasting and sourcing to manufacturing and in-store execution.
• Advanced Design Technologies: Opportunity to work with and learn new design tools, including AI applications, that are shaping the future of product design.
• Mentorship: Access to experienced design leaders and cross-functional experts within Target.
• Professional Development: Potential for training, workshops, and conferences related to design, retail, and emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a designer in a large retail organization, requiring strong problem-solving skills and adaptability. The growth opportunities are significant, offering exposure to various operational aspects of the retail business and pathways for career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Methodology: "Describe your end-to-end design process for developing a new home décor product line. How do you incorporate market research, trend analysis, and consumer feedback?"
  • Preparation: Be ready to walk through a case study, highlighting each stage and your specific contributions. Emphasize how you ensure designs are both innovative and commercially viable.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you collaborate with merchandising and sourcing teams to ensure your designs meet line plans, price points, and manufacturing feasibility?"
  • Preparation: Prepare examples of successful cross-functional collaboration, focusing on communication strategies and how you managed differing perspectives or constraints.
• Problem-Solving & Innovation: "Imagine a situation where your initial design concept faces significant material cost challenges. How would you approach finding a creative and cost-effective solution without compromising the design vision?"
  • Preparation: Think about scenarios where you've had to adapt designs due to constraints and highlight your problem-solving approach, including exploring alternative materials or construction methods. Discuss your interest in AI tools for finding innovative solutions.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Brand Alignment: "How do you stay informed about current home décor trends, and how would you translate those trends to fit Target's brand aesthetic and appeal to its guest?"
  • Preparation: Research Target's current home décor offerings, identify key aesthetic elements, and be ready to discuss specific trends and how they might be adapted.
• Team Dynamics: "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive and productive collaborative culture."
  • Preparation: Reflect on your preferred working style and how you actively contribute to team success, communication, and shared goals.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation with a clear story for each project: the challenge, your role, the process, the solution, and the outcome/impact.
• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality images and concise text. Highlight key design decisions and the rationale behind them.
• Process Emphasis: Clearly articulate the steps you took, including research, sketching, CAD, material selection, and collaboration.
• Quantify Results: If possible, include data points related to your projects (e.g., sales performance, positive customer feedback).
• Concise Delivery: Be mindful of time constraints and practice delivering your presentation smoothly and engagingly.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews will likely assess not only design skill but also an understanding of the retail business operations, including market dynamics, cost considerations, and cross-functional teamwork. Demonstrating familiarity with AI design tools could be a significant advantage, showing an openness to innovation in design workflows.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Target's careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features home décor projects and clearly outlines your design process, highlighting your ability to translate trends into commercially viable products. Include examples of successful collaboration.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize relevant experience in product design and development, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, CAD skills, trend analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, presenting your portfolio confidently, and discussing how you would approach challenges specific to Target's business and brand. Be ready to discuss your understanding of AI design tools.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Target's brand aesthetic, current home décor offerings, and its position in the retail market. Understand their commitment to innovation and guest experience.

⚠️ 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.