Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) · 8 hours ago
Manager, Art Direction & Product Design
Minneapolis, MN
Contract
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
4+ years expThe Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) is seeking a Manager of Art Direction & Product Design to lead the Product Design team. This role involves overseeing product development and packaging for the CURiO Brand, ensuring innovative and sellable designs while collaborating with various departments to meet project goals.
Non Profit
Responsibilities
Guides the Product Design team in translating creative requirements from concept through execution using a unique combination of creative and analytical talents
Helps lead strategic thinking of CURiO creative work, ensuring design vision aligns with business objectives, brand aesthetics and costing goals
Assigns and manages team workflow of projects, monitoring overall capacity of product designers
Helps to identify and implement process improvement areas that result in simplified steps and gain efficiencies for the company
Organizes and condenses design feedback into digestible, actionable tasks for product designers
Leads design meetings as needed throughout the development process
Participates in the approval of prototype samples for style details, construction, safety, and usability
Communicates with domestic and international vendors to achieve design intent, construction, safety, and usability goals. Contributes problem-solving ideas throughout the development process
Mentors and coaches on varying topics such as: design approach, vendor communication, file building and general best practices
Collaborates with Creative Director, Product Design team and Brand to research and concept new product ideas
Develops mood boards for new product collections and product formats
Reviews creative presentations and presents concepts to internal brand team and external customers
Demonstrates systematic approach in designs for varying structures, materials, sizes and product types. Brand steward, keen eye for detail, refines designs across selected product assortment
Works closely with external vendors, helping to build strong partnerships
Organizes and labels incoming samples and approved counters
Attends weekly Design & Innovation status meetings and other meetings as needed
Works closely with Brand, Project Management, Engineering, R&D, Purchasing, Quality, Production, Finance, and Sales to ensure development is on track to meet project goals, design intent and timeline
Works closely with designers and print vendors as needed to develop structures, reviews proofs for color/ detail accuracy and attends press checks as needed. Color advocate for the brand standards
Works closely with Project Management team and Cost Analyst on costing exercises. Contributes to product cost discussions, providing insights and ideas on how to cost engineer new developments to meet cost objectives
Assists and supports design team in daily tasks as needed such as: mock-ups, structure development, file construction, quotes, 3D renderings, etc
Effectively manage a multi-locational team under a fast pace and constantly changing circumstances
Hires, trains and develops team, ensuring that each employee has a clear and thorough understanding of their role and responsibilities
Fosters a collaborative creative environment
Effectively orient new hires to CURiO culture, structure and specific role and responsibilities, ensuring a positive and productive employee experience
Utilize the company’s performance management program as designed to align individual performance to overall performance objectives. Provide ongoing performance feedback. Identify and work with manager and HR to take appropriate action for non-performance
Ensure all CURiO communication is disseminated to the team in a positive and timely manner
Administer all internal policies and procedures in accordance with company, human resources, budgetary, and finance guidelines. Ensure accuracy of staff data records
Supports CURiO Cornerstones and strives for individual leadership by using cornerstone behaviors in the workplace and in daily decision making
Follows all policies and procedures of the company. Works cooperatively with all departments, maintaining a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner that promotes cooperation with co-workers, supervisors, and managers
Actively seek individual development through taking advantage of opportunities for skill enhancement
Keep up to date with the latest best practices, trends, concepts, and regulations in the specific job area
Manage time effectively, meet personal goals and work effectively with other members of the team to meet CURiO goals
Follows all safety guidelines and polices. Makes supervisor/manager immediately aware of any observed safety issue. Keeps work area clean, safe, and organized
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in graphic or industrial design or equivalent work experience
Four years' experience in product or packaging development or design
Intermediate level supervisory role
Intermediate level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Outlook
Advanced level of proficiency in design software; Adobe CS (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
Ability to work collaboratively with team members and across multiple departments, managing a large volume of projects simultaneously
Knowledge of design techniques, ability to think creatively, with an eye for color and design
Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Excellent attention to detail, well organized, and systematic in working
Excellent leadership and communication skills
Excellent presentation and writing skills
Excellent initiative and follow-through
Ability to build and maintain relationships with business partners
Tolerance for moderate stress
Self-Driven, able to work independently
Preferred
3D printer experience preferred
Benefits
Medical, Dental, Disability Insurance (cost shared)
Life/ AD&D Insurance (employer paid)
Vision, Accident, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Voluntary Term Life Insurance, AD&D
401(k) – After 6 months of employment on next quarterly entry date
Company
Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)
Formed in 2001, the Design Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of IDSA.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Jerry Layne, CAE
Chief Operating Officer
Recent News
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