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Associate Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Associate Industrial Designer supports the design and development of Giro's product portfolio across cycling and snow categories, including helmets, goggles, eyewear, and footwear. This role ...

ASSOCIATE TECHNICAL DESIGNER Full Time Technical Los Angeles, CA, US 3 days ago Requisition ID: 1156 Salary Range: $70,000.00 To $75,000.00 Annually Job Summary The Associate Technical Designer will ...

IXL Learning, developer of personalized learning products used by millions of people globally, is seeking an enthusiastic, highly motivated Associate Digital Designer to join our design team and ...

The Associate Technical Designer will work in partnership with the Senior Technical Designer and oversee and own all aspects for the denim/woven bottoms category from initial development to final ...

The Associate Industrial Designer supports the design and development of Giro's product portfolio across cycling and snow categories, including helmets, goggles, eyewear, and footwear. This role ...

Designer 4

Del Rey, CA · On-site

$50/hr

Associate's Degree and 6 years of experience. 2 years of related experience can be substituted for ... Ability to mentor new designers. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES Designs components or portions of ...

Designer 3

Del Rey, CA · On-site

$43/hr

Associate's Degree and 3 years of experience. 2 years of related experience can be substituted for ... Ability to mentor new designers. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES Designs components or portions of ...

Basic understanding of print and textile designs, color matching and creation of colorways * Strong organizational, time management and communication skills * Awareness of product development from ...

A focus on 2D concept designs and understanding of production stages. * Knowledge of franchise expertise. * An understanding of materials and textiles. About Aquent Talent: Aquent Talent connects the ...

Showing results 41-60

Associate Designer information

See California salary details

$19.2K

$57.8K

$86.4K

How much do associate designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 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 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?

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.

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.

How much do associate designers make?

Associate designers typically earn between $45,000 and $65,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. In larger markets or specialized fields, salaries can be higher, and roles often require proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

What does an associate designer do?

An associate designer supports the design team by creating visual concepts, sketches, and prototypes using tools like Adobe Creative Suite. They assist in developing design ideas, preparing presentations, and ensuring projects meet client or company standards, often gaining experience to advance in design roles.

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 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:

Infographic showing various Associate Designer job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 54% Full Time, 42% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,794 per year, or $27.8 per hour.

Associate Industrial Designer

Irvine, CA • On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Job Description

The Associate Industrial Designer supports the design and development of Giro's product portfolio across cycling and snow categories, including helmets, goggles, eyewear, and footwear. This role contributes to the full product creation process-from concept generation and design exploration through development and production handoff.

The ideal candidate is highly creative, curious, adaptable, and consumer-focused, bringing fresh ideas and innovative thinking while collaborating closely with Product Management, Engineering, Development, and Manufacturing teams. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to both in-line product development and future-facing innovation projects.

This position reports to the Design Manager and is based in our Irvine, CA office.

As the Associate Industrial Designer, you will:

  • Generate a broad range of innovative design concepts in response to product briefs, trend research, consumer insights, and market opportunities.

  • Create sketches, renderings, presentations, and visual communication materials that clearly convey design intent.

  • Support ideation sessions, design reviews, and cross-functional discussions.

  • Contribute to the development and evolution of Giro's future design language and product aesthetics.

  • Participate in research activities focused on consumer trends, competitive products, emerging technologies, and cultural influences.

  • Develop and refine 3D CAD models to explore form, function, ergonomics, and manufacturability.

  • Create physical prototypes using both internal and external fabrication resources.

  • Support iterative design development through prototyping, testing, and validation.

  • Maintain organized and accurate design documentation, files, and revision histories.

  • Partner closely with Engineering, Product Development, Product Line Management, and Brand teams to ensure design solutions meet performance, cost, manufacturing, and brand objectives.

  • Participate in user testing, wear testing, and consumer feedback sessions to inform design decisions.

  • Support color, material, and finish (CMF) development in collaboration with the broader design team.

  • Communicate with domestic and international manufacturing partners to ensure design intent is accurately executed.

  • Participate in factory visits and development meetings as needed

  • Prepare and maintain technical design documentation, including specification sheets, technical drawings, bill of materials (BOMs), and product development packages.

  • Support sample management processes throughout development cycles.

  • Assist senior designers and development partners in bringing concepts through commercialization and production launch.

  • Ensure product specifications and design details are accurately maintained throughout the development process.

You have:

  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design or a related discipline.

  • 0-2 years of professional industrial design experience, including internships and co-op experience.

  • Proficiency in Rhinoceros, Blender, SolidWorks, or similar 3D modeling tools.

  • Strong sketching, visualization, and concept development skills.

  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator.

  • Understanding of manufacturing processes, including injection molding, blow molding, and soft goods construction.

  • Strong verbal, written, and visual communication skills.

  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

You might have:

  • Experience with KeyShot or comparable rendering software.

  • Exposure to soft goods design or sewn product development.

  • Experience creating physical prototypes and models.

  • Passion for cycling, snow sports, outdoor recreation, or active lifestyle products.

#LI-KK1

Pay Range:

Annual Salary: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00

The actual annual salary offered to a candidate will be based on variables including experience, geographic location, education, and skills/achievements, and will be mutually agreed upon at the time of offer.

We offer a highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits including: medical and dental, vision, disability and life insurance, 401K, PTO, paid holidays, gear discounts and the ability to add value to an exciting mission!

Our Postings are not intended for distribution to or use in any jurisdiction, country or territory where such distribution or use would violate local law or would subject us to any regulations in another jurisdiction, country or territory. We reserve the right to limit our Postings in any jurisdiction, country or territory.

Equal Opportunity Employer Protected Veteran/Disabled