work at minnow

apparel and swimwear designer

location: charleston, sc (hybrid)
department: production

about minnow

minnow is a premium family swimwear and lifestyle brand built for sun-filled days and the little moments in between. we design thoughtful, high-quality pieces for the whole family, from baby to adults, with an aesthetic that's classic, clean and detail obsessed. our team is small, fast-moving and deeply invested in the product we put into the world. if you love clever prints, well-made things and a job where your work shows up on real families at the beach, you'll feel at home here.

we are looking for a creative, detail-oriented designer with strong fashion sensibility and aesthetic judgement to join our growing team in charleston, sc! this role will play an important part in shaping minnow’s seasonal collections, from initial concept and creative direction through development and production. we are looking for someone with a strong contemporary fashion perspective, an elevated eye and an understanding of what makes our product feel relevant, desirable and distinctly branded. see below for responsibilities and experiences we are looking for.

specific duties / responsibilities:

  • help shape and guide seasonal design direction, bringing forward new ideas, silhouettes, details, color, print and fabrication opportunities. proactively identify opportunities and challenge ideas to evolve and elevate minnow’s product assortment while remaining true to the brand’s core aesthetic.

  • create original prints, graphics, and seasonal artworks that are fresh, distinctive and commercially relevant. modify existing prints through recoloring, resizing, scaling, layout adjustments and adding texture and depth.

  • develop seasonal color palettes and artwork presentations.

  • create and maintain seasonal line plans and assortment boards.

  • research adult, children and baby apparel and swimwear, as well as fabrications, trims and prints to inspire new collections.

  • prepare presentations for seasonal design reviews and roadmaps.

  • responsible for creating seasonal developmental tech packs (technical drawing with construction details, construction page, “bill of materials” pages

  • partner closely with product development team in reviewing strike offs, lab dyes, trims and development samples and provide clear comment for overseas vendors.

  • evaluate print and trim placement and sizing to ensure accurate proportions throughout size range.

  • help maintain organized design files, artwork libraries and seasonal documentation.

  • ensure all artwork and tech packs are accurate, complete and production-ready while meeting development calendars.

  • partner cross-functionally with product development, tech design and production team.

skills & qualifications:

  • bachelor's degree in fashion design or related field preferred.   

  • 4+ years of relevant apparel design experience. swimwear experience is strongly preferred, premium apparel, resort or lifestyle experience also valued.

  • deep understanding of the minnow customer and ability to design with a strong awareness of brand’s aesthetic.

  • strong portfolio demonstrates a distinct creative point of view and strong fashion sensibility required.

  • advanced proficiency in adobe illustrator is required and strong photoshop skills preferred

  • experience in PLM systems a plus 

  • experience creating production-ready technical artworks and tech packs

  • demonstrate ability to create original print designs and repeat patterns.

  • clear and effective written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal skills

  • ability to manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment

perks:

  • hybrid role (in-office in charleston and remote work environment)

  • medical, dental, and vision coverage

  • 401(k)

  • paid time off and company holidays

  • generous employee discount on all minnow product

  • a close-knit, collaborative team that moves fast and cares about the work

  • direct exposure to every part of the design and production process, not siloed

interested? email jobs@minnowswim.com with subject line "apparel designer" and include your resume.