Associate Designer Jobs
Associate Designer jobs are open across branding, digital product, packaging, and motion design studios, from entry-level to mid-career, with specializations in visual identity, UX/UI, and print and production design. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Associate Designer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 176+ Associate Designer jobs
Essential Functions:
Partners with Apparel Designer or Senior Apparel Designer to ensure that department goals and priorities are aligned
Helps provide the creative vision for a specific product category or brand[s] - has the ability to inspire ideas/ new concepts outside the current assortment[s]
Partner with the Apparel Designer on the creative vision for their specific product category or brand[s]
Research markets for silhouette/ color/ fabric trends outside the current assortment(s) each season
Identify and share opportunities for process improvement
Manage PLM systems, libraries, and projects to achieve Belk goals in accordance with company policy and practices
Create and present design concepts to Apparel Designer, Design Management, Brand Management, Merchant Teams, Technical Design and Vendor partners!!Partner with Textile Designer to ensure compelling print assortments and color palettes
Apply understanding of design process and Private Brands/Merchant’s business objectives to ensure consistency and drive financial results
Collaborate with Apparel Designer, Design Management, Brand Management, Overseas Offices, Merchandising, Trend Department, Textile Design, Technical Design/QA, and Vendors to achieve product execution, maintain design integrity, and streamline the development process
Produce cohesive product presentations to sell concept to entire team, including boards, tear sheets and samples!!Provide coaching and feedback to others on team as appropriate and supported by Apparel Designer
Special projects and other duties as assigned
Requires designated hybrid in-office work schedule
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent years of experience
Specific Degree: Fashion Design, Fine Art or related field
Specific Training: Must be proficient in design programs: Illustrator, Photoshop, etc
1-3 years applicable experience preferred
Industry experience: Large retailer or manufacturer
Strong attention to detail
Strong commercial sense and market knowledge of garment construction!!Must be able to distinguish color
Demonstrates strong people skills and the ability to be an effective communicator, and team player
Able to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment
Ability to research and to apply market trend information
Willing to travel to stores and vendors/factories worldwide
Working knowledge of design and product development processes
Ability to prioritize and manage workload with multiple deadlines
#LI-SE1
#IND3
Essential Functions:
Partners with Apparel Designer or Senior Apparel Designer to ensure that department goals and priorities are aligned
Helps provide the creative vision for a specific product category or brand[s] - has the ability to inspire ideas/ new concepts outside the current assortment[s]
Partner with the Apparel Designer on the creative vision for their specific product category or brand[s]
Research markets for silhouette/ color/ fabric trends outside the current assortment(s) each season
Identify and share opportunities for process improvement
Manage PLM systems, libraries, and projects to achieve Belk goals in accordance with company policy and practices
Create and present design concepts to Apparel Designer, Design Management, Brand Management, Merchant Teams, Technical Design and Vendor partners!!Partner with Textile Designer to ensure compelling print assortments and color palettes
Apply understanding of design process and Private Brands/Merchant’s business objectives to ensure consistency and drive financial results
Collaborate with Apparel Designer, Design Management, Brand Management, Overseas Offices, Merchandising, Trend Department, Textile Design, Technical Design/QA, and Vendors to achieve product execution, maintain design integrity, and streamline the development process
Produce cohesive product presentations to sell concept to entire team, including boards, tear sheets and samples!!Provide coaching and feedback to others on team as appropriate and supported by Apparel Designer
Special projects and other duties as assigned
Requires designated hybrid in-office work schedule
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent years of experience
Specific Degree: Fashion Design, Fine Art or related field
Specific Training: Must be proficient in design programs: Illustrator, Photoshop, etc
1-3 years applicable experience preferred
Industry experience: Large retailer or manufacturer
Strong attention to detail
Strong commercial sense and market knowledge of garment construction!!Must be able to distinguish color
Demonstrates strong people skills and the ability to be an effective communicator, and team player
Able to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment
Ability to research and to apply market trend information
Willing to travel to stores and vendors/factories worldwide
Working knowledge of design and product development processes
Ability to prioritize and manage workload with multiple deadlines
#LI-SE1
#IND3
See All 176+ Associate Designer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Associate Designer JobsAssociate Designer Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Distribution & Wholesale
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Consumer Goods
- Banking & Financial Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in associate designer jobs.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
- Working knowledge of Figma or other collaborative UI design tools
- Portfolio demonstrating completed brand, digital, or print design projects
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communication, or a related field
- Understanding of typography, color theory, and layout principles
- Ability to manage multiple projects under deadline in a team environment
Tips for Your Associate Designer Job Search
Tailor your portfolio to the studio
Before applying, audit your portfolio for the work style of each employer. A packaging studio wants dielines and print specs. A product team wants wireframes and design systems. Swapping your featured pieces per application consistently outperforms a one-size-fits-all book.
Name the tools in your resume
Many associate designer postings filter by software before a human reads anything. List every relevant tool you use, Figma, Illustrator, After Effects, InDesign, by name in a skills section so your resume clears automated screening without burying those details in job descriptions.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists associate designer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Show process work, not just finals
Hiring managers at the associate level want evidence you can iterate, not just deliver a polished result. Include a case study showing sketches, rejected directions, and your reasoning for the final choice. Even one strong process example separates you from candidates who only show finished files.
Ask specific questions in your interview
Generic questions signal you haven't thought hard about the role. Ask how design decisions get made, who owns the brief, and what the feedback cycle looks like. Interviewers remember candidates who demonstrate they've thought about working there, not just about getting hired.
Negotiate scope before you negotiate salary
At the associate level, the first offer often undersells what the role actually involves. Before countering on pay, clarify the project load, the tools budget, and whether you'll own work end-to-end or support a senior designer. Scope changes what the number means.
Associate Designer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most associate designers?
The most active employers for associate designers right now are Ghafari, Salas O'Brien, and Capital One, and the most openings are in New York, California, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to be highest at studios, in-house brand teams, and agencies with high project volume.
How many associate designer jobs are remote?
About 54% of associate designer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote availability concentrated in digital product, UX/UI, and motion design rather than packaging, print, or physical production roles that require on-site equipment and proofing.
How do you become an associate designer?
Most associate designers start by completing a degree or focused coursework in graphic design or visual communication, then build a portfolio through academic projects, freelance work, or internships. Getting hired typically requires a portfolio that shows finished work and some design process, proficiency in industry-standard tools, and the ability to take direction and iterate quickly under feedback.
Can you get an associate designer job with little or no experience?
Yes, but your portfolio has to do the work your resume can't. Employers hiring at the associate level expect some gaps in professional experience, so strong academic projects, self-initiated work, or a completed internship can substitute. Focus on roles at smaller studios or in-house teams where junior designers are expected to learn on the job rather than arrive fully formed.
What does the associate designer interview process look like?
Most associate designer interviews involve an initial screening call, a portfolio review with the design lead or creative director, and sometimes a brief take-home design exercise or live critique. The portfolio review is the central evaluation, so be ready to walk through your reasoning, not just the finished work, and to respond to feedback in real time.
Where can I find and apply to associate designer jobs?
You can find and apply to associate designer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 176+ Associate Designer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Associate Designer Jobs