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Associate Designer Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Lands' End

Associate Designer - Knits

Dodgeville, WI · Hybrid

$60K - $70K/yr

As an Associate Designer you will be responsible for contributing to the Design team through your creative, customer focused and brand-right ideas. An Associate Designer interprets ideas and concepts ...

Lands' End

Associate Designer - Knits

Dodgeville, WI · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

An Associate Designer interprets ideas and concepts into finished product through collaboration with Merchandising and Product Development. You will contribute to the management of all stages of ...

Steinhafels

Interior Designer

Madison, WI

$15/hr

Interior Designers: Bring Your Creative Vision to Life at Steinhafels! Are you an Interior Designer ... associate's degree in interior design and/or extensive experience and training in a design field.

Steinhafels

Interior Designer

Madison, WI · On-site

$15/hr

Overview Interior Designers: Bring Your Creative Vision to Life at Steinhafels! Are you an Interior ... associate's degree in interior design and/or extensive experience and training in a design field.

Steinhafels

Interior Designer

Madison, WI

$15/hr

Overview Interior Designers: Bring Your Creative Vision to Life at Steinhafels! Are you an Interior ... associate's degree in interior design and/or extensive experience and training in a design field.

Dashiell Corportaion

Substation Designer

Madison, WI

An Associate's degree in drafting & design is preferred. Successful candidates with more than five years of experience may be placed in more senior level designer titles depending on skill. * Strong ...

Dashiell

Substation Designer

Madison, WI · On-site

An Associate's degree in drafting & design is preferred. Successful candidates with more than five years of experience may be placed in more senior level designer titles depending on skill. * Strong ...

Dashiell Corportaion

Civil Designer

Madison, WI

Civil Designer ID: 8456 Department: Engineering Location: Madison, WI Description Dashiell is a ... Other duties as required Minimum Qualifications / Experience Associates degree in drafting & Design ...

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All JobsAssociate Designer JobsAssociate Designer Jobs in Madison, WI

Associate Designer information

See Madison, WI salary details

$19.6K

$59K

$88.2K

How much do associate designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate designer in Madison, WI is $59,007.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,900.00 and $68,500.00 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 Madison, WI? The most popular types of Designer jobs in Madison, WI are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Designer jobs in Madison, WI? For Associate Designer jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Designer jobs in Madison, WI look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Designer jobs in Madison, WI are:
What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Associate Designer jobs? Cities near Madison, WI with the most Associate Designer job openings:
Associate Designer jobs near you
Associate Designer - Knits

Associate Designer - Knits

Lands' End

Dodgeville, WI • Hybrid

$60K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Lands' End rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 102 rated fashion retailers

Job description

*This is a hybrid role with three weeks per month onsite (Mon. – Thurs.). The fourth week is fully remote.

As an Associate Designer you will be responsible for contributing to the Design team through your creative, customer focused and brand-right ideas. An Associate Designer interprets ideas and concepts into finished product through collaboration with Merchandising and Product Development. You will contribute to the management of all stages of design such as developing themes, color, fabrications, silhouettes, and direction for the upcoming season. You will also contribute in managing the product through the product development cycle by partnering with cross functional partners. 

Responsibilities 

  • Partner and facilitate the design and development of Lands’ End products by interpreting ideas and concepts into finished product through collaboration with Merchandising and Product Development. 

  •  Contribute research in the form of design decks, creative sketches, tears and have a point of view on design direction and be able to present and clearly articulate ideas. 

  •  Contribute to the development of themes, color, fabrications, silhouettes, and mood for upcoming season as well as working with manufacturers to develop original textiles and patterns. 

  •  Present development and design ideas to team members, cross functional team and leadership. Create materials (presentation boards, sample mock-ups, etc.) to show ideas.  

  •  Contribute in raw material research, market research, and fabric/trim development.  

  •  Execute seasonal line plans and follow product development calendar deadlines and be aware of responsibilities for key milestone meetings. 

  •  Partner with product development to communicate with vendors and follow through on sample development.  

  •  Accountable to evaluate lab dips; strike offs and trim development approvals.  

  •  Clearly articulate design sketches with detailed call outs understanding garment construction and fabric/trim end use. 

  •  Communicate and build relationships with cross divisional design partners, vendors and cross functional partners (PD, Tech, Merch) and follow through on sample development. 

  •  Attend fit sessions and articulate design direction and point of view.  

  •  In some categories, mentor an intern or design assistant. 

  •  Collaborate with merchandising to understand sales history when designing products.  

Skills

  • Demonstrate fluency in Centric, Illustrator, and Miro – knowledge of CAD and 3D software is beneficial

  • Ability to do flat drawings/sketches for design and prototypes 

  •  Ability to meet deadlines and work in a team environment 

  •  Creatively driven with a strong point of view and have a developed eye for color and pattern 

  •  Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to multitask and troubleshoot. 

  •  Strong interpersonal, written, verbal communication, and exceptional follow up skills 

  •  Strong collaboration, process driven, creative problem solving 

  •  Ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. 

  •  Knowledge of CAD is a plus. 

  •  Independently manages projects or assignments with moderate to high complexity. 

  •  Actively contributes to strategic planning and decision-making processes. 

Leadership Responsibilities  

  • Provide guidance, support, and mentorship to team members. 

  •  Foster a collaborative and positive work environment. 

Education & Experience Requirements 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Apparel or Fashion Design or a relevant field or equivalent experience with a strong sense of garment construction. 

  •  2-5 years of relevant professional experience.

Physical Requirements 

  • Ability to sit for long periods of time. 

  •  Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. 

  •  Ability to travel as needed for work.

The pay range for this position is $60,000 - $70,000. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on numerous factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographical location, and business or organizational needs. This position may also be eligible for annual merit increase, bonus, and/or incentive compensation. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, health, dental, vision, and disability benefits.

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