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Product Design & Development Associate - Apparel

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The Walt Disney Company

6d ago

  • Job
    Full-time
    Mid & Senior Level
  • Product
  • London

AI generated summary

  • You need a design degree or equivalent experience, product development skills, CAD proficiency, trend awareness, and strong communication abilities. Multilingual skills and cultural awareness are a plus.
  • You will manage product approvals, provide design direction, train licensees, create visuals, build relationships, ensure compliance, stay updated on trends, and contribute to team initiatives.

Requirements

  • Degree in product design or a related field, or equivalent experience in a lifestyle product environment.
  • Proven commercial product development experience in relevant categories or experience in product design within a licensee, retail head office or supplier environment.
  • Experience creating prototypes or physical models.
  • Strong understanding of trends within relevant product categories and the broader design landscape.
  • Working knowledge of common manufacturing techniques and their applications.
  • Ability to clearly communicate product design briefs and concepts using CAD, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop or other computer‑based design tools.
  • Ability to deliver work against set deadlines and budgets.
  • Strong conceptual and design skills, with an understanding of fabric, colour and product construction.
  • Confident presentation skills and the ability to convey ideas to stakeholders at all levels.
  • Understanding of production techniques, graphic application, colour and shape.
  • Business‑level proficiency in written and spoken English; additional European languages are beneficial.
  • Computer literacy across Mac OSX and MS Office.
  • Cultural awareness and understanding of local markets across EMEA.

Responsibilities

  • Execute the full product approval process from initiation to production, ensuring all submissions are correctly routed via Disney’s Online Product Approval (OPA) system in accordance with global product integrity guidelines.
  • Provide product design direction, trend insights and creative feedback to licensees, supporting both 2D artwork and 3D product development to drive product quality.
  • Train and develop new and existing licensees on Disney brands, property portfolios, creative assets and approval systems.
  • Ensure partners have access to the appropriate creative assets for product development.
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with licensees and key internal and external stakeholders.
  • Create product pitches, design visuals and mock‑ups under guidance from your line manager.
  • Develop strong knowledge of Disney characters, films, properties, heritage and creative assets to support high‑quality product usage.
  • Support team needs across regional, local and global projects, including participation in design initiatives as required.
  • Ensure all products meet corporate policies, guidelines and relevant legislation.
  • Stay current on product design and graphic trends, competitor brands and evolving cultural moments across EMEA.
  • Participate in “inspiration” trips to explore creative directions and identify fresh opportunities for innovation.
  • Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive team environment by sharing knowledge, welcoming diverse perspectives and championing positive change.
  • Take ownership of your professional development, making use of available resources such as D Learn, instructor‑led courses and on‑the‑job learning.
  • Actively contribute ideas to improve departmental performance and processes.

FAQs

Do we support remote work?

Yes, we support remote work in a hybrid format, with either a Monday or a Friday working from home.

What is the location of the job?

The job is based in our London Hammersmith office.

What are the core responsibilities of the Product Design & Development Associate?

Core responsibilities include executing the product approval process, providing design direction, training licensees, creating product pitches, and ensuring products meet corporate guidelines.

What qualifications are required for this role?

A degree in product design or a related field, proven product development experience, understanding of manufacturing techniques, and strong conceptual design skills are required.

Is experience with packaging design considered beneficial?

Yes, experience with packaging design and familiarity with style guides for the OPA system are preferred qualifications.

What skills are necessary for effective communication in this role?

Strong presentation skills and the ability to convey design briefs and concepts using software tools such as CAD, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop are necessary.

Are there opportunities for professional development?

Yes, employees are encouraged to take ownership of their professional development through available resources such as D Learn and on-the-job learning.

What additional benefits does Disney offer?

Disney offers 25 days of annual leave, private medical insurance, free park entry, discounts across various products, and excellent parental and guardian leave.

Is cultural awareness important for this role?

Yes, a cultural awareness and understanding of local markets across EMEA is crucial for success in this position.

Will travel be required for this position?

Flexibility for UK, European, or international travel may be required as part of the role.

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The Walt Disney Company

Entertainment & Media
Industry
10,001+
Employees

Mission & Purpose

From classic animated features and exhilarating theme park attractions to cutting edge sports coverage, and the hottest shows on television, The Walt Disney Company has been making magic since 1923, creating unforgettable stories that connect with audiences around the world. And we’re just getting started! The key to our success…. The Cast, Crew, Imagineers and Employees who honor Disney’s rich legacy by stretching the bounds of imagination to create the never-before-seen, bringing unparalleled entertainment experiences to people of all ages. Begin a career that delivers unparalleled creative content and experiences to audiences around the world and just imagine the stories you could be part of… What is #LifeAtDisney like? It’s a series of magical moments with cast members and employees developing and telling our stories in the most innovative ways. Whether it’s a day spent as a Disney VoluntEAR, or celebrating the release of a new interactive experience, retail product or movie, our days are filled with the knowledge that we are creating entertainment experiences the whole family can enjoy. Follow @DisneyCareers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a peek behind-the-curtain, and discover how you could connect to a world of stories with Disney!