Product Designer - Hard Surfaces, Residential

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer - Hard Surfaces, Residential

Company: Shaw

Location: Dalton, Georgia, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-20

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Responsible for the creation of original product visuals, colorways, patterns, and surface designs for residential hard-surface flooring categories, including resilient, laminate, and hardwood.

• Translates consumer insights, market trends, and competitive intelligence into commercially viable product concepts and design assets.

• Collaborates closely with Product Development, Manufacturing, Sourcing, and global supplier teams to refine designs based on material properties, construction, and production capabilities.

• Develops coordinated design stories and visual platforms to ensure brand differentiation across multiple residential brands and retail channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy of Shaw's residential hard-surface flooring products. The Product Designer will act as a key liaison between market intelligence and product realization, directly influencing revenue generation through innovative and commercially successful designs. The emphasis on "hard surfaces" and "residential" indicates a focus on specific market segments within the broader flooring industry.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Generate a high volume of original product visuals, colorways, patterns, surface designs, and concept collections for residential hard-surface flooring.

• Utilize Adobe Photoshop for advanced image editing, pattern development, layout creation, and the generation of essential design assets for product development.

• Conduct thorough research into consumer insights, emerging trends, competitive landscapes, and market opportunities to inform design direction and product innovation.

• Partner effectively with Product Development, Manufacturing, Sourcing, and global supplier teams to ensure design feasibility, material compatibility, and adherence to manufacturing capabilities and technical specifications.

• Create cohesive design narratives, palettes, and visual frameworks that support distinct brand identities across various residential brands, product lines, and distribution channels.

• Proactively explore emerging trends, novel materials, advanced technologies, and evolving manufacturing processes to identify future product opportunities and untapped market potential.

• Establish, organize, and maintain comprehensive physical and digital libraries of product samples, materials, and design assets to facilitate accessibility, collaboration, and long-term knowledge management.

• Present product concepts, trend analyses, and design recommendations compellingly to cross-functional stakeholders, actively incorporating feedback to refine design strategies.

• Engage in seamless collaboration with international teams, including Asia-Pacific sourcing and manufacturing partners, across different regions and time zones to drive product design and development initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong need for a designer who can bridge creative ideation with practical manufacturing constraints. The emphasis on "translating consumer insights" and "market opportunities" points to a role deeply embedded in GTM strategy, requiring an understanding of how design impacts sales performance and market penetration. The need to "Generate a high volume of design concepts" suggests a fast-paced environment where efficiency and output are key operational metrics.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Textile Design, Surface Design, or a closely related field.

Experience: Two to five years of professional design experience, with a demonstrable track record in creating commercially successful products.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with a particular emphasis on Adobe Photoshop for image editing, pattern creation, layout development, and color adjustments.

• Strong foundational understanding of color theory, pattern design, scale, core design principles, and trend forecasting methodologies.

• Ability to conceptualize and translate creative ideas into clear, actionable visual assets for product development and manufacturing teams.

• Proven ability to work effectively in an office environment at least four days per week.

• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 20% for industry trade shows, client meetings, market research, and other business-critical engagements.

• Capacity to collaborate effectively across global time zones, including occasional participation in evening calls with Asia-Pacific partners. Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience in designing hard-surface flooring, ceramic tile, wallcoverings, decorative surfaces, packaging, retail displays, or other manufactured goods where pattern, material, and construction are integral.

• Familiarity with specific flooring types such as resilient flooring, laminate, hardwood, or tile, including expertise in wood visuals, stone visuals, repeat patterns, and surface design.

• Demonstrated experience in translating consumer insights, design trends, and market research into tangible, manufactured product solutions.

• Understanding of manufacturing processes, material properties, product construction methodologies, sampling procedures, sourcing strategies, and commercialization pathways.

• Experience working collaboratively with technical teams, manufacturers, global vendors, or cross-functional product development groups.

• A robust portfolio showcasing strong Photoshop skills, exceptional color sense, creative pattern development, and effective layout design within product, industrial, graphic, packaging, surface, or retail environment design contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Photoshop and a strong understanding of design principles, color, and pattern are core operational skills for this role. The preferred qualifications highlight a need for candidates who can hit the ground running with specific industry knowledge, reducing the ramp-up time for product launches and GTM execution. The portfolio requirement is crucial for assessing practical application of these skills in a commercial context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects demonstrating end-to-end product design, from concept generation to final visual assets.

• Include case studies that illustrate the process of translating market research and consumer insights into design solutions, highlighting the 'why' behind design choices.

• Present examples of pattern creation, colorway development, and layout design specifically for manufactured goods, ideally in relevant categories like flooring or surfaces.

• Demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Photoshop through examples of complex image manipulation, pattern tiling, and the creation of photorealistic renderings or mock-ups.

• Detail the collaboration process with manufacturing, product development, or sourcing teams, showing how technical constraints were addressed or integrated into the design. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, provide a brief overview of the design process followed, including research methodologies, ideation techniques, and refinement stages.

• Document how feedback from stakeholders (e.g., product managers, engineers) was incorporated into the design iterations.

• Clearly articulate the impact of the design decisions on commercial viability or market appeal, supported by any available data or insights.

• Explain the role of digital tools, particularly Adobe Photoshop, in facilitating the design and development workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a product design role within an operations context, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as tangible proof of the candidate's ability to execute on design tasks that directly impact product lines and, subsequently, revenue. The emphasis on process documentation and stakeholder collaboration highlights the operational aspect of design – ensuring designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also manufacturable, marketable, and aligned with business objectives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Product Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Dalton, Georgia, the estimated annual salary range is typically between $65,000 and $85,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for design professionals in manufacturing sectors, considering the company's size and the specific technical skills required.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Providing robust coverage for employee health and well-being.

• Life Insurance and Disability Coverage: Offering financial security for employees and their families.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Supporting continuous learning and professional development, crucial for staying ahead in design trends.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Providing confidential counseling and support services.

• Health Savings Account (HSA): A tax-advantaged savings account for healthcare expenses.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Allowing for work-life balance and personal rejuvenation.

• Parental Leave: Supporting new parents during a significant life event.

• 401K and Retirement Plans: Offering long-term financial planning and savings opportunities.

• Employee Product Discounts: Providing access to Shaw's diverse range of flooring and surface solutions.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with an 8-hour non-rotating shift. The specific start time will be communicated during the hiring process, aligning with typical business hours in the Eastern Time Zone (ET).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry data for similar roles and locations. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting Shaw's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, which is a key factor for attracting and retaining talent in specialized roles like product design. The hybrid work arrangement with 4 days in-office is a significant aspect of the work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Shaw Industries operates within the Manufacturing and Home Furnishings & Fixtures sector, a highly competitive market driven by design innovation, material science, and operational efficiency. As a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Shaw benefits from strong financial backing and a culture of long-term value creation.

Company Size: With approximately 18,000 associates worldwide and over $5 billion in annual sales, Shaw is a large, established enterprise. This size offers stability, extensive resources, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration across numerous brands and departments.

Founded: Shaw Industries was founded in 1946. Its long history signifies a deep understanding of the flooring industry, a commitment to quality, and a proven ability to adapt to market changes and technological advancements.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is likely integrated within larger Product Development or Brand Management departments, comprising specialists in various design disciplines (e.g., graphic, industrial, textile, surface).

• Reporting structure will likely involve a Design Manager or Director, with this role collaborating closely with Product Managers, Marketing teams, R&D, and global Sourcing/Manufacturing leads.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, requiring constant interaction with teams responsible for market research, product strategy, engineering, manufacturing, sales, and marketing to ensure design alignment with business objectives and market demands. Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: The design process is informed by rigorous analysis of consumer insights, market trends, sales data, and competitive intelligence to ensure designs are commercially relevant.

• Workflow Planning and Optimization: Emphasis is placed on efficient design processes, leveraging tools like Adobe Creative Suite to streamline concept creation, iteration, and asset generation, ensuring timely delivery for product development cycles.

• Automation and Efficiency: While design is creative, the role requires an understanding of how to leverage digital tools for repeatable tasks (e.g., pattern scaling, image editing) to maximize output and support a high-volume design environment.

Company Website: https://careers.shawinc.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: Shaw's scale and industry position mean that design roles are not just about aesthetics but are deeply integrated into operational processes that drive revenue. Understanding Shaw's brand portfolio (Anderson Tuftex, COREtec, Shaw Floors, Patcraft, etc.) will be key to understanding the target audiences and design nuances for this role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Product Designer, requiring 2-5 years of experience. It signifies a level of autonomy in design execution and a growing responsibility for translating strategic directives into tangible product designs that impact commercial outcomes. The designer is expected to contribute significantly to product ideation and refinement, moving beyond basic execution.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director of Product Development. They will work closely with Product Managers, Marketing teams, and cross-functional teams (Product Development, Manufacturing, Sourcing), requiring strong communication and collaboration skills to navigate the organizational hierarchy and drive design initiatives forward.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly influences the company's product portfolio, which is the engine of revenue. Successful product designs lead to increased sales, market share, and brand perception. By creating visually appealing, trend-aligned, and manufacturable products, the designer contributes to operational efficiency by reducing design-related rework and ensuring products meet market demand, thereby optimizing inventory and production planning.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific hard-surface categories (resilient, laminate, hardwood) or advanced design techniques, potentially leading to Senior Product Designer roles.

• Brand Management: Potential to move into roles with broader brand responsibility or to lead design initiatives for specific Shaw brands.

• Product Management: With a strong understanding of market insights and product development, there's a path towards Product Management or GTM strategy roles.

• Leadership: Progression to Senior Designer, Lead Designer, or Design Manager positions, overseeing teams and strategic design direction.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning opportunities through industry conferences, workshops, and internal training on new materials, technologies, and design software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career progression within a large organization like Shaw is often structured. For operations-focused roles like this, demonstrating an understanding of how design impacts GTM metrics (sales, market share, customer adoption) will be crucial for advancement. The emphasis on collaboration and translating insights into actionable designs points towards a role that is integral to the operational success of product launches.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Dalton, Georgia, at Shaw's corporate campus. This is a hybrid position, requiring approximately four days per week in the office, fostering a collaborative and in-person work environment conducive to design brainstorming and team synergy.

Office Location(s): Dalton, Georgia, is the primary location. This central hub likely houses design studios, material libraries, and key cross-functional teams, providing easy access for face-to-face collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely include access to design studios equipped with necessary hardware, software (Adobe Creative Suite), and potentially specialized design tools.

• Collaboration spaces will be readily available for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and presentations, facilitating dynamic interaction with colleagues.

• Proximity to material libraries and potentially product showrooms will provide inspiration and a tactile understanding of Shaw's offerings.

• The environment is expected to be dynamic and fast-paced, reflecting the demands of the flooring industry and a large corporate structure.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, with an 8-hour non-rotating shift. While a standard schedule, the hybrid nature allows for some flexibility in managing personal time, balanced with the requirement for in-office presence. Occasional evening calls are expected due to global collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a significant in-office component is key. It suggests a culture that values in-person collaboration for creative processes and team cohesion, which is common in design-focused roles. This environment is designed to facilitate efficient workflow and immediate feedback loops essential for product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience against the job requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your design philosophy, experience with specific tools (especially Adobe Photoshop), understanding of trend forecasting, and how you approach translating market insights into designs. Expect questions about your portfolio.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Presentation: You may be asked to present specific projects from your portfolio, detailing your process, the rationale behind your design choices, and how your designs met commercial objectives. A practical design exercise might also be included to assess your skills in real-time.

• Cross-functional Team Interviews: Interviews with members from Product Development, Marketing, or Sourcing to evaluate your collaboration style, ability to communicate technical design aspects, and understanding of manufacturing constraints.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills in pattern development, colorways, surface design, and the use of Adobe Photoshop for hard-surface products or similar manufactured goods.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your design process, the insights that guided you, your creative solutions, and the tangible outcomes or impact (e.g., alignment with market trends, manufacturability).

• Highlight Photoshop Proficiency: Showcase examples of complex image manipulation, pattern tiling, color corrections, and layout creation that demonstrate advanced Photoshop skills.

• Showcase Commercial Relevance: Emphasize how your designs address market needs, consumer preferences, or brand objectives. If possible, include data or insights that support the commercial viability of your concepts.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Include examples or descriptions of how you worked with cross-functional teams (product development, manufacturing) to refine designs, showing your understanding of practical constraints.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you thoroughly understand the target audience, product category (hard-surface flooring), and any specified constraints (materials, manufacturing, brand).

• Process-Oriented Approach: Focus on demonstrating a clear, logical design process, even if the final output is conceptual. Show your thinking.

• Time Management: Practice working within time limits, prioritizing key design elements, and being able to articulate your approach efficiently.

• Visual Communication: Be prepared to present your work visually, using sketches, digital mock-ups, or mood boards to convey your ideas effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application and collaboration. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates the "why" and "how" behind design decisions, with a focus on commercial impact and manufacturability, will be critical for success. The design challenge or portfolio presentation is where candidates can truly differentiate themselves by showcasing their problem-solving skills and understanding of the product lifecycle.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop is a core requirement. Experience with Illustrator and InDesign may also be beneficial for creating vector graphics, layouts, and print-ready assets.

• 3D Design Software (Preferred): Experience with tools like Rhino, SolidWorks, or similar 3D modeling software could be advantageous for visualizing product forms and textures, though not explicitly required.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Trend Forecasting Platforms: Familiarity with platforms or resources used for market and trend research (e.g., WGSN, Fashion Snoops, internal trend reports).

• Data Analysis Tools (Basic): Ability to interpret market research data, sales reports, and consumer insights to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM, understanding how product data flows into CRM and PIM (Product Information Management) systems is beneficial for a holistic view of product lifecycle management.

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira for managing design tasks and project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Photoshop is paramount. This indicates that the operational efficiency of the design team relies heavily on mastery of this tool for rapid iteration and asset creation. Familiarity with trend forecasting resources is crucial for ensuring designs are market-relevant and contribute to GTM success.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to create new, compelling designs that push boundaries while remaining commercially viable and manufacturable.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork and open communication, working effectively across departments and with global partners to achieve shared goals.

• Customer Focus: Designing with the end-user (residential consumers) and channel partners in mind, ensuring products meet their needs and preferences.

• Efficiency: A commitment to streamlined processes, effective use of design tools, and timely delivery of design assets to support product development cycles.

• Quality: A dedication to producing high-quality design work that reflects positively on Shaw's brands and products.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The team thrives on close collaboration with Product Development, Marketing, Sales, and Manufacturing to ensure designs are integrated seamlessly into the product lifecycle.

• Feedback-Driven: An open culture for constructive feedback, where designers are comfortable sharing work-in-progress and incorporating input from various stakeholders to refine designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of trends, insights, and best practices within the design team and across related departments to foster continuous improvement and collective learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Shaw, particularly within a GTM-focused role like this, likely values a blend of creative independence and structured execution. The ability to collaborate effectively and contribute to a data-informed, efficiency-driven environment will be key to success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Commercial Viability: The primary challenge is to create innovative, trend-forward designs that also meet manufacturing constraints, cost targets, and market demand.

• Global Collaboration Complexity: Working with diverse teams across different time zones and cultural contexts requires strong communication and adaptability.

• Rapid Trend Cycles: Staying ahead of rapidly evolving consumer preferences and interior design trends in the fast-paced flooring industry.

• Translating Abstract Concepts: Effectively communicating complex design ideas and visual concepts to non-design stakeholders to gain buy-in and facilitate development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen skills in Photoshop or explore new design software relevant to surface and product design.

• Trend Forecasting Workshops: Access to industry trend forecasting resources and training to enhance market intelligence and foresight.

• Material and Manufacturing Insights: Learning about new materials, production techniques, and sustainability initiatives within the flooring industry.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining a deeper understanding of product development, manufacturing processes, and market strategy through collaboration with other departments.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Support for building a strong, commercially-focused design portfolio that highlights impactful projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Addressing these challenges effectively will require strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to learning. The growth opportunities are directly tied to developing expertise in these challenging areas, making the role a valuable stepping stone for a career in product design within the manufacturing sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for translating a broad trend report or consumer insight into specific product design concepts for hard-surface flooring." (Focus on methodology, ideation, and output.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are commercially viable and manufacturable? Can you provide an example from your portfolio where you had to balance creative vision with technical constraints?" (Highlight collaboration with manufacturing/product development.)

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you used Adobe Photoshop extensively. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Demonstrate technical skill and problem-solving.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Shaw Industries and our brand portfolio? How do you see your design aesthetic fitting within our residential brands?" (Research Shaw's brands and market position.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams, especially those in manufacturing or sourcing who might have different priorities?" (Emphasize communication, empathy, and shared goals.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and material innovations in the hard-surface flooring industry?" (Showcase continuous learning and industry engagement.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating your end-to-end design process.

• Contextualize Each Project: For each piece, clearly state the objective, your role, the target audience/market, your design process, the tools used (especially Photoshop), and the outcome or impact.

• Focus on Problem/Solution: Frame your projects as solutions to specific design or market problems.

• Visual Appeal: Ensure your digital portfolio is clean, well-designed, and easy to navigate. High-quality images are crucial.

• Practice Your Narrative: Be ready to speak confidently and articulately about each project, highlighting your contributions and the strategic thinking behind your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design talent, but also an understanding of the commercial and operational aspects of product development. Highlighting how your design process contributes to business objectives and successful GTM execution will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Shaw Careers portal via the provided link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with Adobe Photoshop, pattern development, color theory, trend forecasting, and any relevant hard-surface flooring or manufactured product design. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Contributed to X product lines that achieved Y% sales growth").

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, professionally presented, and clearly showcases your best work relevant to this role. Focus on projects that demonstrate your ability to translate insights into commercial designs and your proficiency with Photoshop.

• Research Shaw: Familiarize yourself with Shaw Industries, its various brands (especially residential ones like Shaw Floors, COREtec, Anderson Tuftex), its market position, and recent product launches. Understand their commitment to innovation and sustainability.

• Practice Your Interview Responses: Prepare answers to common design interview questions, focusing on your process, problem-solving skills, and ability to collaborate. Be ready to discuss specific projects from your portfolio in detail.

⚠️ 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.