Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Hatstore World AB

Location: Kalmar, Kalmar County, Sweden

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / Creative & Media

Date Posted: 2026-05-21T06:36:44

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop headwear products from initial concept through to final production, focusing on aesthetics, materials, and technical specifications.

• Conceptualize and build cohesive collections and visual expressions for diverse target audiences and niche markets within the streetwear and fashion landscape.

• Drive brand identity development and contribute to the creation of new sub-brands or distinct brand extensions for specific styles and market segments.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including purchasing, suppliers, and production, to ensure seamless product lifecycle management and quality control.

• Analyze and interpret emerging trends in streetwear, sports, fashion, and broader cultural movements to inform design decisions and product innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is heavily focused on product design within the fashion and streetwear sector, specifically for headwear. The emphasis is on conceptualization, branding, and market trend analysis, suggesting a need for a designer who understands brand building and consumer psychology beyond pure aesthetics. The "proactive job ad" nature implies the company is seeking a strong candidate even if a specific opening isn't immediately confirmed, highlighting the importance of a compelling application.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design headwear products from ideation to finished goods, meticulously considering form, color palettes, embroidery details, material selection, and overall product aesthetics.

• Produce detailed design sketches, high-fidelity mockups, and precise technical documentation required for manufacturing and production.

• Develop comprehensive concepts, curated collections, and distinct visual identities that resonate with specific target demographics and cultural niches.

• Actively participate in the strategic development and launch of new proprietary brands or sub-brands, aligning them with defined styles and market segments.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with the purchasing department, external suppliers, and internal production teams to ensure efficient product development cycles and adherence to quality standards.

• Continuously monitor and analyze prevailing trends within streetwear, athletic wear, high fashion, and relevant subcultures to inform design direction and product innovation strategies.

• Conduct rigorous testing and iterative refinement of product prototypes to optimize fit, feel, quality, and overall consumer appeal.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach to product design, involving not just aesthetic creation but also technical specification and quality assurance. The expectation to "build new brands or subbrands" indicates a strategic contribution to Hatstore World AB's portfolio expansion, requiring a designer with brand development acumen.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design (Product Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design), or a related field is typically expected for this level of creative responsibility.

Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of progressive experience in product design, with a significant focus on fashion, streetwear, accessories, or similar visually driven product categories.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in product design specifically within the fashion, streetwear, or accessories sector.

• Advanced proficiency in design software, including Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, essential for creating detailed artwork and mockups.

• Proven ability to manage the end-to-end product design process, from initial concept generation to technical finalization for production.

• Exceptional aesthetic sensibility with a keen eye for detail, color theory, form, and the ability to design for specific target audiences.

• Strong understanding of branding principles and the capacity to develop cohesive visual identities and collection narratives.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Figma or similar prototyping and design collaboration tools.

• Knowledge of streetwear culture, its sub-segments, and the associated design language.

• Understanding of e-commerce product development cycles and consumer behavior in online retail.

• Experience working with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure design fidelity and product quality.

• Basic understanding of material science and textile properties relevant to headwear.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for both creative and technical skills is paramount. Proficiency in Adobe Suite is a baseline, with Figma being a valuable addition for workflow efficiency. The emphasis on understanding "how design, identity, and community connect in modern brands" suggests a need for a designer who thinks holistically about brand building and consumer engagement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of design projects demonstrating end-to-end product development, from concept sketches to final product mockups.

• Case studies showcasing the development of fashion or streetwear collections, highlighting the creative direction, target audience focus, and design rationale.

• Examples of technical drawings or specification sheets for manufactured products, indicating an understanding of production requirements.

• Visualizations of brand concepts or sub-brand identities, illustrating the ability to create compelling visual narratives.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of workflow design for product conceptualization and development, detailing stages from research to final design.

• Examples of how design iterations and feedback loops were managed during the product development process.

• Documentation of collaboration with production or suppliers, illustrating how design intent was translated into manufacturing specifications.

• Case studies that highlight the analysis of market trends and their integration into design strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application explicitly requests a portfolio that goes beyond just visual aesthetics. It needs to showcase the candidate's ability to conceptualize, develop brands, understand technical aspects for production, and analyze trends – demonstrating a full product design lifecycle capability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (2-5 years), location (Kalmar, Sweden), and industry (fashion/e-commerce), a competitive salary range for a Product Designer would typically fall between 30,000 SEK to 45,000 SEK per month gross. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in Sweden, considering market demand and cost of living.

Benefits:

• Creative Freedom: Significant autonomy in design decisions and brand conceptualization.

• Impactful Role: Opportunity to shape products and brands for a fast-growing e-commerce company.

• Entrepreneurial Environment: Work within a dynamic, fast-paced team with a high level of collaboration and open communication.

• Creative Workplace: A dedicated and inspiring office environment located in Kalmar.

• Product Development Involvement: Direct involvement in the entire product lifecycle from concept to final product.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, with an estimated 40 hours per week. The company culture suggests a dynamic environment, but specific flexibility around working hours for creative tasks may be available, subject to team and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on general Swedish market data for mid-level designers and the specific industry. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's qualifications, portfolio, and negotiation. The listed benefits highlight the company's focus on creative empowerment and a dynamic work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Headwear, Fashion Retail, Streetwear. Hatstore World AB operates within a rapidly evolving digital retail space, focusing on a specific niche (headwear) that intersects with broader fashion and streetwear trends. This requires agility and a keen understanding of online consumer behavior and brand building.

Company Size: As a "growing e-commerce company," Hatstore World AB likely falls into the small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) category. This typically implies a more hands-on, less bureaucratic environment where individual contributions have a significant impact.

Founded: While the founding date is not provided, the description of a "growing" company suggests it is likely established enough to have a defined market presence but still in a phase of expansion and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer will be part of a creative team, likely working closely with individuals in purchasing, marketing, and e-commerce operations.

• The reporting structure is not explicitly defined but is expected to be relatively flat in a growing company, possibly reporting to a Head of Design, Creative Director, or a similar leadership role.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creativity is key, the role involves analyzing trends and potentially sales data to inform design choices, suggesting a blend of art and science.

• Iterative Development: The mention of testing and adjusting prototypes points to an agile and iterative product development process.

• Brand-Centric Approach: A core methodology revolves around building and strengthening brands through cohesive design and understanding of target audience identity and community.

Company Website: https://career.hatstore.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as entrepreneurial, with high tempo and open communication ("högt i tak"). This suggests a dynamic and collaborative environment where initiative is valued. The focus on "headwear" and "streetwear" indicates a specialized market with specific cultural nuances.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Designer, requiring a solid foundation of experience (2-5 years). It offers significant creative influence and the opportunity to contribute strategically to brand and collection development, rather than being solely an execution-focused role. The "proactive job ad" nature suggests the company is looking for someone who can grow with them and potentially take on more responsibilities as the company expands.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a senior member of the creative or product team. The emphasis on collaboration means they will interact with various departments, providing broad exposure to different facets of the e-commerce business.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is directly tied to the appeal, quality, and market relevance of Hatstore World AB's headwear products. Successful designs will drive sales, enhance brand perception, and contribute to customer loyalty within target streetwear and fashion communities. Their work is fundamental to the company's product offering and market differentiation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in headwear design, streetwear trends, and brand development within a niche market.

• Leadership: Potential to move into senior design roles, team lead positions, or even art direction as the company scales.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunities to learn about e-commerce operations, supply chain management, and broader marketing strategies through cross-functional collaboration.

• Brand Creation: Direct involvement in building new brands from the ground up, offering a unique and valuable growth experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "proactive job ad" context suggests that Hatstore World AB is looking for talent that can evolve with the company. The growth opportunities lean towards specialization within the niche and potential leadership roles as the business expands, rather than a generic corporate ladder.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as "on site from our office in Kalmar." This indicates a traditional office environment conducive to in-person collaboration and creative synergy.

Office Location(s): The office is located at Resvägen 6, 392 41 Kalmar, Sweden. This is a specific, physical location, meaning candidates must be willing to relocate or already reside in the Kalmar area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office serves as a central point for teamwork, brainstorming sessions, and direct interaction with colleagues across different departments.

• Creative Tools: Access to necessary design software (Adobe Suite, potentially Figma) and physical space for sketching and mockups.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for face-to-face discussions with the design team, purchasing, and other stakeholders, fostering a cohesive working dynamic.

Work Schedule: The standard full-time work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. While the environment is described as high-tempo, the creative nature of the role may allow for some flexibility in managing workflow, provided project deadlines and team needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key factor for potential applicants. The description emphasizes the collaborative nature of the physical workspace, which is crucial for creative roles that benefit from spontaneous interaction and shared ideation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: While not detailed, a typical process for a Product Designer role at a growing e-commerce company would likely include:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV, portfolio, and cover letter to assess qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, discussing their design process, creative rationale, and impact on previous projects.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: Potentially a small design task or case study related to headwear design, brand concept development, or trend analysis.

• Team/Manager Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues and hiring managers to evaluate technical skills, creative thinking, and alignment with the company culture.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to confirm fit and discuss terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your ability to design headwear, develop streetwear concepts, and build brands. Emphasize projects with clear objectives, your unique contribution, and measurable outcomes (e.g., successful collection launch, positive market reception).

• Showcase Process: Detail your design thinking, from initial research and trend analysis to concept development, sketching, technical specifications, and final mockups. Explain your rationale behind design choices.

• Highlight Brand Building: Include examples where you've contributed to brand identity, developed visual language, or created collections that resonate with specific target audiences.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates strong skills in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and ideally Figma. If possible, include examples of technical drawings or production-ready artwork.

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentations as narratives, explaining the problem, your approach, the solution, and the impact. Tailor your presentation to Hatstore World AB's focus on streetwear, headwear, and brand development.

Challenge Preparation:

• Trend Analysis: Be prepared to discuss current streetwear trends, identify emerging styles, and articulate how you would translate these into headwear designs.

• Concept Development: Practice generating creative concepts for new brands or sub-brands within the headwear space, considering different target demographics.

• Problem-Solving: Think about common challenges in product design for fashion (e.g., material sourcing, fitting issues, production delays) and how you would approach them.

• Brand Alignment: Understand Hatstore World AB's existing market position and be ready to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with their brand and target audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application explicitly asks for a portfolio and "a few lines about yourself and what type of brands, concepts or target groups you like to create for." This indicates the interview process will heavily weigh creative vision, brand affinity, and self-awareness alongside technical skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector-based design, logo creation, pattern development, and technical drawings for apparel/headwear.

• Adobe Photoshop: Critical for creating detailed mockups, mood boards, color adjustments, and image manipulation for presentations.

• Figma (Preferred): Increasingly used for collaborative design, prototyping, and creating design systems, which can streamline workflow and team communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with how CRM data might inform target audience profiles and how e-commerce platforms function would provide valuable context for product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary tools listed are standard for product and graphic design in the fashion industry. Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is non-negotiable, with Figma being a strong advantage for modern design workflows and collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core value driving the creation of unique designs and concepts that stand out in the competitive streetwear market.

• Brand Focus: Deep commitment to building strong, authentic brands that connect with specific communities and customer identities.

• Quality & Detail: Emphasis on meticulous design execution, from the smallest detail to the overall product quality and fit.

• Collaboration & Openness: A culture that encourages open communication, idea sharing, and teamwork across departments, fostering a dynamic and supportive environment.

• Passion for Streetwear/Culture: A genuine interest in and understanding of streetwear, fashion, and cultural trends that inform the product and brand direction.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The Product Designer will work closely with purchasing, suppliers, and marketing, requiring strong communication skills and the ability to translate design vision into actionable requirements for others.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: An environment that likely embraces constructive feedback to refine designs and processes, ensuring the best possible product outcome.

• Shared Vision: Building a collective understanding of brand direction and product strategy across teams to ensure cohesive execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company emphasizes an "entrepreneurial team with high tempo and high ceiling" (högt tempo och högt i tak). This suggests a culture that values initiative, direct communication, and a shared drive for success, with a strong focus on brand authenticity and creative excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Trend Volatility: The streetwear and fashion industries are subject to rapid trend cycles, requiring constant adaptation and foresight in design.

• Balancing Creativity with Commercial Viability: The need to create aesthetically appealing and on-trend designs that also meet production constraints and market demand.

• Brand Differentiation: Standing out in a crowded market by developing unique brand identities and collections for specific niches.

• Supplier Communication: Effectively translating complex design specifications to international suppliers to ensure accurate production.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Niche Specialization: Becoming an expert in headwear design and the specific cultural nuances of various streetwear sub-segments.

• Brand Building Expertise: Gaining hands-on experience in developing and launching new brands from concept to market.

• E-commerce Product Strategy: Understanding the broader context of e-commerce, digital marketing, and consumer behavior within the fashion retail landscape.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Learning about supply chain management, purchasing, and marketing through close collaboration with other departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "proactive job ad" nature suggests Hatstore World AB is looking for someone who can proactively identify challenges and opportunities, demonstrating initiative and a growth mindset. The role offers a unique chance to shape product lines and brands in a dynamic niche.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new headwear collection for a specific streetwear subculture (e.g., skate, hip-hop, vintage)."

• "How do you stay ahead of trends in streetwear and fashion, and how would you apply that knowledge to Hatstore World AB's product development?"

• "Walk us through a project where you had to balance creative vision with technical production constraints or supplier feedback."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Hatstore World AB and our focus on headwear and streetwear?"

• "How do you see your design philosophy aligning with our entrepreneurial and collaborative culture?"

• "Describe a time you worked effectively in a fast-paced, high-tempo environment."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Emphasize Relevance: Prioritize projects that directly relate to headwear, fashion, streetwear, and brand development.

• Showcase Process & Rationale: Clearly articulate your design thinking, research methods, and the reasoning behind your creative choices.

• Quantify Impact (where possible): If a project led to successful sales, positive customer feedback, or strong market reception, highlight these outcomes.

• Demonstrate Technical Skills: Be ready to discuss specific tools and techniques used, and ensure any technical drawings or mockups are clear and professional.

• Tailor to Hatstore: Research Hatstore World AB's current offerings and target audience, and be prepared to explain how your skills and vision can contribute to their growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely focus heavily on assessing creative vision, understanding of the target market (streetwear/headwear), and the ability to translate trends into commercially successful products within a brand-building context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the career site: https://career.hatstore.com/jobs/7770345-product-designer

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest and most relevant design projects. Prioritize work that showcases headwear design, streetwear concepts, brand development, and your ability to translate trends into tangible products. Ensure it highlights your proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and ideally Figma.

• Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a few lines about yourself, as requested, focusing on your passion for streetwear, your preferred brands/concepts to create for, and why you are a strong fit for Hatstore World AB’s entrepreneurial culture and specific market focus.

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience in product design, specifically within fashion or streetwear, and lists your proficiency in key design software. Highlight achievements and responsibilities that align with the job description.

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Be ready to walk through your portfolio, explaining your design process, creative decisions, and the impact of your work. Practice articulating your vision and how it aligns with Hatstore World AB's brand and goals.

• Research Hatstore World AB: Familiarize yourself with their current product lines, brand identity, target audience, and any recent news or initiatives to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during the interview process.

⚠️ 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.