Creative Footwear Materials Designer

Aquent is proud to partner with a globally recognized leader in innovative consumer products, a company renowned for shaping trends and pushing the boundaries of design and performance. Are you a visionary Creative Materials Designer with a profound passion for design and a deep connection to culture-driven trends? This is an extraordinary opportunity to significantly influence the future of product design by bringing innovative material stories to life.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of creative material concepts across diverse product categories and collections; Identify and research emerging materials, finishes, textures, and construction techniques to elevate product aesthetics and performance; Craft compelling material stories and presentations that effectively communicate design intent, inspiration, and consumer relevance; Collaborate closely with product designers, developers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to drive concepts from ideation through execution; Support the creation of innovative material applications, balancing performance, aesthetics, manufacturability, and cost considerations; Provide critical design feedback during prototype reviews throughout the product creation lifecycle; Engage in special projects, partnerships, and culturally relevant product initiatives that define market trends; Maintain a keen awareness of product trends, cultural influences, and evolving consumer preferences to inform design decisions.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in creative material design, product design, or related roles; Bachelor’s degree in design, industrial design, fashion design, or equivalent professional experience; Demonstrated experience working across multiple product segments or lines; A strong portfolio showcasing innovative material concepts and experimentation, a clear design process from concept to completion, examples of design exploration and iterations, and successfully executed final products; Ability to articulate creative rationale and design decisions; Profound understanding of materials including leather, canvas, synthetic materials, wovens, meshes, upper constructions, and trims; Genuine passion for action sports, consumer culture, or youth lifestyle markets; Proven ability to harmonize creative vision with technical requirements and business considerations; Exceptional collaboration, communication, and presentation skills.

Nice to have

Experience designing materials for action sports, consumer, or streetwear categories; Background in supporting collaborations, partnerships, or limited-edition product launches; Knowledge of manufacturing processes, material sourcing, and supplier capabilities; Experience working with globally recognized consumer product organizations; Deep understanding of consumer trends and cultural influences impacting product design.

Benefits

Subsidized health, vision, and dental plans; Paid sick leave; Retirement plans with a match; Free online training through Aquent Gymnasium.