Senior Apparel Art & Graphic Designer

Summary

Join Brooks Running as a Senior Apparel Art and Graphic Designer, a temporary role from September 2025 to April 2026. You will be responsible for creating original graphics and textile designs reflecting the brand's aesthetics. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring designs from concept to commercialization, influencing decisions across apparel functions. Participate in seasonal strategy sessions and manage the art and graphics calendar. Translate design inspiration into original artwork aligning with Brooks' standards, and present concepts to leadership. Utilize both digital and handcraft techniques, working with vendors to produce designs. Conduct market research and travel domestically/internationally to stay abreast of trends. Manage freelancers and meet deadlines.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or portfolio school) in Textile, Material or Graphic design or related field
• 7+ years of progressive and technically sophisticated Textile design experience; may be substituted by proven skill based on actual work samples
• Demonstrated understanding of textile manufacturing, screen-printing, dyeing, and design techniques
• Exceptional design portfolio
• Expert knowledge in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop is unequivocally necessary
• Must be able to design, prepare production files, and color separate art using Illustrator and Photoshop (vector and index)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrating effective listening through concise, clear verbal and written communication
• Ability to manage multiple and competing work priorities, demands, and changes
• Excellent interpersonal skills that inspire and build trust resulting in effective working relationships across the company
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organization and execution of tasks, while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all the pieces fit together and affect one another
• Ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our customers, our partners, our products or other departments’ operations and/or morale; “connecting the dots”
• Demonstration of innovation and initiative – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details and help wherever necessary
• Able to travel domestically and internationally 2 times a year
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values!

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create a merchandisable art and graphics line from concept to commercialization
• Influence decisions across the Apparel functions with full accountability and ownership for the outcome as well as the process
• Participate in seasonal and yearly concept strategy sessions in conjunction with Apparel Design Leadership and the Footwear team to align seasonal themes
• Own the Art & Graphics portion of the Apparel calendar and manage the maintenance of calendar/timelines/deadlines that result in a timely completion of each product and/or collection
• Lead the execution of the seasonal vision of apparel, accessories & sock art design by developing a strong consumer-oriented point of view through an understanding of the runner and the events we sponsor
• Using inspiration from Apparel Leadership as a framework, translate that inspiration into original, on trend artwork that aligns with the modern Brooks Apparel standard set by Apparel Design Leadership
• Communicate and present seasonal graphic and textile design concepts to Apparel Leadership, create presentation materials that effectively communicate direction for graphics and textile prints
• Utilize both computerized systems and handcraftsmanship in the design process to provide materials to Design, Development and PLM teams
• Work with our vendor partners and Development team to produce graphic and textile designs ranging from blue-sky concepts to go-to-market solutions
• Create original artwork that illustrates design concepts and captures seasonal stories to share with the Marketing, Product Line Management, and Sales teams
• Design graphics, print repeats, embroideries, jacquards, branding, laser cut or other fabric manipulation to align with the seasonal product direction
• Work with the Product Line Management team and Business Operations Manager to understand market needs and design graphics aligned to product briefs and cost targets
• Research market trends, competitors and consumer needs and provide recommendations from a graphic design perspective
• Travel domestically and/or internationally once to twice per year to stay on top of art and graphic trends firsthand
• Create and maintain all art files and transfer correct information to cross functional teams
• Create graphic and print artwork for the Development team for strike-offs and prototypes
• Compile tech packs and other materials to hand off to development for sampling and manufacturing
• Update designs based on feedback from management and other team members, ensuring changes are made accordingly
• Research new techniques and applications that can be used in seasonal products and use findings to innovate our products
• Partner with apparel and accessories designers to ensure that textile stories and individual prints, materials and trims enhance the product aesthetic and fit with the overall design
• Meet calendar deadlines and deliverables
• Manage freelancer designers
• Other responsibilities as required

Preferred Qualifications

Passionate participation in Brooks’ sports activities a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner to develop loyal, engaging relationships with our customers and the Brooks community

Benefits

• Benefits - including medical, dental, vision, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance
• Paid Time Off - Eleven paid holidays and paid sick
• Perks - including product discounts, employee recognition, and fitness discounts