Lead Designer, Accessories Product Design, Bags

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Designer, Accessories Product Design, Bags

Company: Nike

Location: Beaverton, Oregon, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Product Design & Development (Accessories)

Date Posted: September 02, 2026

Experience Level: 6+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the conceptualization and development of seasonal bag designs within the accessories category, focusing on both functional performance and contemporary style.

• Drive innovative design solutions by blending sportswear functionality with modern fashion sensibilities to resonate with active lifestyle consumers and athletes.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, developers, product managers, and merchants, to ensure creative vision aligns with Nike's design ethos and business objectives.

• Translate complex design ideas into focused design narratives, supported by thorough visual research and compelling storytelling to inspire product creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the product design of bags within Nike's accessories division, requiring a deep understanding of both athletic performance needs and fashion trends. The emphasis on "lifestyle and pure performance athletes" indicates a need to balance everyday usability with sport-specific functionality.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and present innovative seasonal design concepts for women's bags, covering both lifestyle and performance categories.

• Create and edit cohesive collections by translating design concepts into 3-5 core items, ensuring a unified aesthetic and functional narrative.

• Conduct thorough visual research and trend analysis to inform design direction and inspire creative output.

• Collaborate with product developers and merchants to ensure designs meet cost requirements, production deadlines, and quality standards.

• Champion a data-driven approach to design, analyzing consumer needs and market trends to elevate the consumer experience.

• Integrate sustainability principles by understanding and applying knowledge of sustainable materials and processes in product design.

• Communicate design rationale effectively to cross-functional partners, articulating the thinking behind creative decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility of "translating a design concept into 3–5 core items within a collection" implies a need for strategic thinking beyond individual product design, focusing on collection coherence and market impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Design or a related field. A combination of relevant education, experience, and training will also be considered.

Experience: 6+ years of relevant work experience in product design, with a specific focus on accessories and bags.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to set an inspiring creative direction through thoughtful visual research and compelling storytelling.

• Proven experience designing women’s bags across lifestyle and performance categories.

• Proficiency in translating design concepts into cohesive collections (3-5 core items).

• Strong sensitivity to materials, textiles, and hand feel, with an understanding of their impact on comfort and appeal.

• Advanced sketching abilities and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.).

• Deep understanding of functional design principles and usability for everyday and active lifestyles.

• Collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal skills, openness to feedback, and experience in cross-team cooperation.

• A positive, driven personality with a strong curiosity for emerging trends and evolving consumer needs.

• Knowledge of sustainable materials and eco-friendly design processes.

• Passion for sports and a keen eye for analyzing product utility and functionality. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in leading design projects or mentoring junior designers.

• Familiarity with 3D design software or prototyping tools.

• Understanding of manufacturing processes specific to bags and accessories.

• Experience working within a global brand environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "6+ years of relevant work experience" suggests this is a mid-to-senior level role, implying a need for leadership potential and a strong foundation in design principles and industry best practices. The emphasis on "women's bags" indicates a specialized focus within the broader accessories category.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive creative design portfolio is mandatory for consideration.

• Portfolio must include strong examples of women's bag design, highlighting functional yet stylish solutions. *