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Associate Designer Jobs in Philadelphia, PA (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Designer information

See Philadelphia, PA salary details

$17.9K

$53.8K

$80.3K

How much do associate designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate designer in Philadelphia, PA is $53,770.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,500.00 and $62,400.00 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 Philadelphia, PA?

The most popular types of Designer jobs in Philadelphia, PA are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Designer jobs in Philadelphia, PA?

For Associate Designer jobs in Philadelphia, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Designer jobs in Philadelphia, PA look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Designer jobs in Philadelphia, PA are:

What cities near Philadelphia, PA are hiring for Associate Designer jobs?

Cities near Philadelphia, PA with the most Associate Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Designer job openings in Philadelphia, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 48% In-person, 26% Hybrid, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,770 per year, or $25.9 per hour.

Free People Senior Designer - Embellishment & Craft

Urban Outfitters, Inc.

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

$93K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago


URBN rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

30th of 104 rated fashion retailers


Job description

Free People is seeking a Senior Designer for Femme Embellishment to lead and support the femme embellishment, embroidery and surface design for the Free People brand. This role oversees the creation and development of original artwork that reflects the unique style of the Free People customer. The focus will be on managing the development and design of embroidery, embellishment and surface design for dresses and femme tops.

  • Collaborate closely with the Design Director to execute the seasonal textile vision. Be actively involved in the seasonal trend process, providing structured insights and supporting the Design Director to ensure the vision is realized. Keep up to date on embellishment, embroidery and craft trends.
  • In collaboration with the Design Director, create seasonal craft sourcing packs based on the season’s trends.
  • Launch vendor developments to get ahead on craft at the start of the season and push new materials and techniques.
  • Work with design and buying teams to develop embellishments and embroideries for retail and wholesale divisions.
  • Participate actively in design flow meetings, collaborating with print/graphics to show a cohesive story.
  • Use traditional drawing, painting, and other artistic techniques, as well as Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, and AI, to create artwork, layouts, and colorways that are on-brand and trend-appropriate.
  • Hand mocking embroidery/embellishment is encouraged for trend presentations and technique references.  
  • Develop seasonal print and surface design mood boards that reflect trends for embellishment, embroidery and craft, balancing customer-forward innovation with volume needs.
  • Inspire and mentor your team by offering guidance, constructive feedback, and fostering a collaborative and innovative design environment.
  • Conduct research, create specific artworks, and manage an associate designer to bring the Design Director’s vision to life.
  • Source vintage textiles, swatches, and digital image libraries for inspiration to enhance original artwork designs.
  • Utilize AI platforms to diversify and enhance artwork offerings.
  • Stay current with fashion trends related to craft and color, incorporating them into designs while ensuring they remain fresh and brand-appropriate.
  • Analyze & identify opportunities for growth in processes and within the team.
  • Maintain organized file folders with established saving and naming conventions to facilitate easy access for teammates.
  • Develop artwork layouts and provide colorways, collaborating with the color team to align with specific palettes.
  • Work with product development and technical designers to set up engineered artworks. Generate CADs to communicate placement on garments and create technical packages for artwork to be sent to vendors and factories.
  • Effective management of deadlines and contribution to the growth of a dynamic team.

#LI-JA1

#LI-PS1

#FREEPEOPLE


  • Bachelor Degree in Textiles, Surface Design, Fine Art, Illustration or relate field preferred.
  • 8-10 Years Experience preferred.
  • Ability to work on site 4-5 days per week at our Home Office (Navy Yard) in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Proven experience in embroidery, embellishment, craft and textile design with strong skills in hand drawing/painting and digital rendering.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, Fresco, and NedGraphics.
  • Competence in Microsoft Office 365.
  • Experience and enthusiasm for creatively exploring AI platforms.
  • Excellent communication skills with a flexible and positive attitude.
  • Experience managing one or two direct reports.
  • A creative mindset with a passion for surface design and trend.
  • Hands on techniques: sewing, and embroidery/embellishment a plus.

URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit www.urbn.com/work-with-us/benefits


URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.


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