Associate Watch Designer

ABOUT SHINOLA

At Shinola, we make beautiful, enduring, handcrafted goods that are built to be lived in, worn out, and well-loved. Our thoughtful craftsmanship, timeless design, and spirited stories inspire our customers to live well, with confidence & joy—in a style that is uniquely their own! Because we are a growing and evolving company, each employee is a key stakeholder, making decisions every day that directly impact our overall vision and direction. At Shinola, you'll have the opportunity to make a significant contribution at the start of what we believe will become an iconic American brand.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Associate Watch Designer will support the creation of innovative and brand-right watch designs that reflect Shinola's heritage and aesthetic. Working closely with the Design Director and design team, this role will bring forward creative concepts, assist in product development, and ensure design accuracy throughout the development lifecycle. The Associate Watch Designer will collaborate cross-functionally with merchandising, product development, and production teams to deliver high-quality products that align with Shinola's vision. This role is an excellent opportunity for a creative and detail-oriented designer with a passion for product design, who is eager to grow within a collaborative and dynamic team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Creativity:

• Create watch designs aligned with Shinola's aesthetic, codes, values, and heritage

• Support design presentations that communicate seasonal trends and product direction

• Research cultural, design, and market trends, as well as competitive products

• Generate 2D renderings and sketches for seasonal needs and line extensions

• Develop both original concepts and team-led concepts into compelling designs

• Leverage AI design tools and explore emerging technologies to enhance creative workflows, support concept generation, and streamline design processes

Product Development:

• Assist with color and material selection for seasonal collections

• Build accurate tech packs for review and handoff to the Product Development team

• Support technical development of designs in collaboration with internal and external partners, ensuring standards of quality and design are met

Project Management:

• Participate in design update meetings, applying learnings to product concepting

• Manage projects from concept through handoff, ensuring deadlines and milestones are met

• Communicate design progress and updates to project managers to support on-time delivery

Teamwork:

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners in design, product development, and merchandising

• Contribute to a positive, team-oriented design studio environment

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Product Design, or equivalent
• 2+ years of design experience (watch or accessory design preferred, not required)
• Strong sketching and freehand drawing skills desirable
• Creativity and innovation, with a strong sense of aesthetics
• Attention to detail and accuracy in design execution
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• 3D Software: SolidWorks, Alias
• Rendering Software: Keyshot
• Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Backbone, Publisher

Note: This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive. Employee may be required to perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Filson and Shinola are equal opportunity employers. We believe that every employee has the right to work in surroundings which are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is our policy that all decisions involving any aspect of the employment relationship will be made without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, veteran and military status, genetic information, political ideology or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. Discrimination and/or harassment based on any of those factors are totally inconsistent with our philosophy of doing business and will not be tolerated.

With regard to applicants or employees with disabilities, the company offers what the law refers to as "reasonable accommodation" to enable a person to perform his or her job.