ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Associate Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Vans

Vans: Associate Designer, Men's

Costa Mesa, CA · Hybrid

$60K - $75K/yr

A day in the life of an Associate Designer at Vans is dynamic, creative, and collaborative. You'll support the design team in developing seasonal concepts, product direction, and visual storytelling ...

Vans

Vans: Associate Designer, Men's

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

A day in the life of an Associate Designer at Vans is dynamic, creative, and collaborative. You'll support the design team in developing seasonal concepts, product direction, and visual storytelling ...

RICK

Be Seen First

Associate Engineering Designer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$38.50 - $48.50/hr

As an Associate Civil Engineering Designer in San Diego, CA, you will have an opportunity to work with a multi-disciplinary team on meaningful, landmark projects in the Inland Empire region. As a ...

Old Navy

Associate Designer Women's Knits

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$69K - $87K/yr

About Old Navy Forget what you know about old-school industry rules. When you work at Old Navy, you're choosing a different path. From day one, we've been on a mission to democratize fashion and make ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAssociate Designer JobsAssociate Designer Jobs in California

Associate Designer information

See California salary details

$19.2K

$57.8K

$86.4K

How much do associate designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate designer in California is $57,794.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,900.00 and $67,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a design associate?

A design associate is a professional who supports the design team by assisting with project development, creating visual concepts, and using tools like Adobe Creative Suite or CAD software. They often collaborate with senior designers and may need a relevant degree or portfolio to qualify for the role.

What Is an Associate Designer?

An associate designer is responsible for assisting the lead designer or art director with the production and design of creative projects. Associate designers can work in a variety of industries, include fashion, graphic design, and interior design. As an associate designer, your job duties vary significantly by industry, but they generally involve researching trends, communicating with clients, and procuring materials necessary for designing the project. Regarding academic qualifications, you need a bachelor’s degree in fine arts or a major related to the specific industry in which you choose to work. Some employers may require previous experience or a portfolio that proves your design skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Designer, you generally need a strong foundation in design principles, proficiency with design software (such as Adobe Creative Suite), and a relevant degree or portfolio showcasing your work. Familiarity with tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and sometimes prototyping platforms like Figma or Sketch is often required. Strong attention to detail, creativity, and effective communication skills help you excel in collaborative environments and respond to feedback. These skills ensure you can contribute high-quality, innovative designs that meet client or project objectives in a fast-paced industry.

Which designer is highly paid?

Senior and lead designers, especially those with specialized skills in user experience (UX), user interface (UI), or graphic design, tend to earn the highest salaries in the design field. Experience, industry, location, and proficiency with design tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma also influence compensation levels.

Is an associate designer the same as a junior designer?

An associate designer is often an entry-level or early-career role that involves supporting senior designers and developing foundational skills. A junior designer typically has less experience and works under supervision, focusing on learning design processes and tools like Adobe Creative Suite. While roles can vary by company, both positions are considered beginner-level and may have overlapping responsibilities, but titles and expectations can differ across organizations.

What does an Associate Designer do?

An Associate Designer is an entry- to mid-level professional who assists in the creation and development of design projects. They typically work under the supervision of senior designers or art directors and contribute to tasks such as creating layouts, preparing design concepts, and revising drafts based on feedback. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the industry—such as fashion, graphic design, or interior design—but generally involve supporting the execution of visual or conceptual elements to meet project goals. Associate Designers collaborate with cross-functional teams and help ensure that design work aligns with brand or project standards.

How does an Associate Designer typically collaborate with other team members during a project?

Associate Designers work closely with senior designers, project managers, and cross-functional teams such as marketing, engineering, or product development. Collaboration often involves participating in brainstorming sessions, contributing design ideas, and iterating on feedback from multiple stakeholders. Regular communication—via meetings, design reviews, and digital collaboration tools—is essential to ensure that design concepts align with project goals and brand guidelines. This teamwork helps Associate Designers learn from experienced colleagues and refine their skills in a supportive environment.

What is the difference between Associate Designer vs Junior Designer?

AspectAssociate DesignerJunior Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in design or related field; some employers may prefer internship experienceBachelor's degree in design or related field; entry-level position
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with senior designers, participates in projects, and supports design teamsAssists in design tasks, learns workflows, and gains practical experience
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across creative agencies, in-house design teams, and studiosCommon entry-level role in similar settings

Associate Designers typically have more responsibilities and may oversee parts of projects, while Junior Designers focus on learning and supporting design tasks. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but Associate Designers are often more experienced and involved in project execution.

What is the highest paid designer job?

The highest paid designer roles are often senior positions such as Creative Director or Design Director, especially in large corporations or specialized fields like user experience (UX) or product design. These roles typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and proficiency with design tools, and they can earn six-figure salaries depending on the industry and location.
More about Associate Designer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Designer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Designer jobs in California? For Associate Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Designer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Associate Designer jobs? Cities in California with the most Associate Designer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Designer jobs in CA? For Associate Designer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Associate Designer jobs near you
Associate Designer, Men's Concept & Styling

Associate Designer, Men's Concept & Styling

Vuori, Inc

Carlsbad, CA • On-site

$80K - $103K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Vuori rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Company Description
Vuori is re-defining what athletic apparel looks like: built to move and sweat in but designed with a casual aesthetic to transition into everyday life. We draw inspiration from an active coastal California lifestyle; an integration of fitness, creative expression and life. Our high energy fast paced retail environment is reflected in the clothes we make. We aim to inspire others to take on all aspects of their lives with clarity, enthusiasm and purpose...while having a lot of fun along the way. We are proud to be an outlet for opportunity and for personal growth and success.
Job Description
The Associate Designer of Concept & Styling will support the Men's Design Team in executing the seasonal creative vision. This role works closely with the Director of Men's Lifestyle and Outerwear Design, Creative and Styling, and cross-functional partners in merchandising and marketing to bring design concepts to life through strong visual tools, styling execution, and highly organized creative systems. This position is ideal for a detail-minded, highly efficient creative with exceptional taste level and strong awareness of current styling and trends. The Associate Designer plays a critical role in supporting the team's fast-paced environment through precision, clarity, and strong executional skills.
What you'll get to do:
  • Support the creation and maintenance of visual tools & aids, including mood boards, concept decks, seasonal styling guides, and cross-functional presentation assets
  • Execute updates to seasonal concept decks and digital tools with speed and accuracy, ensuring alignment across teams
  • Assist in prepping for stage gates, including organizing presentation materials, styling looks, managing samples, and ensuring readiness of all visual communication assets
  • Support styling & outfitting efforts by preparing garments and tools for photoshoots, internal reviews, stage gates, and cross-functional presentations
  • Collaborate with design, merchandising, and marketing partners to ensure updates to design concepts are clearly reflected across decks and tools
  • Assist in trend research and market analysis, gathering inspiration from retail, cultural moments, sport, street, and digital platforms with a focus on menswear styling and product relevance
  • Maintain highly organized digital and physical design files, adhering to established asset management systems
  • Help manage and track seasonal samples, ensuring accuracy and readiness for fittings, reviews, style-outs and creative meetings
  • Support seasonal interns as needed, helping create an organized and inspiring team environment

Qualifications
Who you are:
  • Bachelor's degree in Apparel Design, Graphic Design, or related field and/or equivalent years of experience preferred
  • 2+ years of experience in apparel design, styling, or creative marketing
  • Detail-oriented executor who thrives in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong eye for menswear styling, proportion, and trend, with a highly developed sense of taste and brand filter
  • Excellent visual communication skills and ability to build clean, compelling presentations
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
  • Highly organized with strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple workstreams
  • Clear communicator and collaborative partner across cross-functional teams
  • Self-starter who takes initiative while remaining coachable and open to feedback

Additional Information
Our investment in you:
At Vuori, we're proud to offer the following to our employees:
  • Health Insurance
  • Savings and Retirement Plan
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Generous Vuori Discount & Industry Perks
  • Paid Time Off
  • Wellness & Fitness benefits

The salary range for this role is $80,100 per year - $103,005 per year.
Vuori is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

What Vuori employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply