1

Footwear Design Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Footwear Designer

Portland, OR · On-site

$135K - $140K/yr

Mentor design assistants and communicate complex technical topics across various levels of the ... footwear drawings, including the use and application of color theory principles; • Adobe ...

Footwear Designer

Portland, OR · On-site

$135K - $140K/yr

Mentor design assistants and communicate complex technical topics across various levels of the ... footwear drawings, including the use and application of color theory principles; • Adobe ...

Footwear Designer

Portland, OR · On-site

$135K - $140K/yr

Design footwear collections based on seasonal concepts and line planning. Own tech pack creation ... Mentor design assistants and communicate complex technical topics across various levels of the ...

Product Design About the Role The Designer II is responsible for designing and developing footwear ... These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions ...

Designer II (Footwear)

Irvine, CA · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Product Design About the Role The Designer II is responsible for designing and developing footwear ... These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions ...

Product Design About the Role The Designer II is responsible for designing and developing footwear ... These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions ...

... footwear models. Our team is dedicated to elevating the consumer experience through material ... Design new materials using current techniques, curating and elevating existing materials for ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Footwear Design Assistant information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Footwear Design Assistant, and why are they important?

A Footwear Design Assistant should have a solid background in design principles, an understanding of fashion trends, and relevant qualifications such as a degree in fashion, footwear, or industrial design. Familiarity with design software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and CAD systems, as well as experience with prototyping tools, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help individuals stand out in this collaborative and trend-driven field. These skills and qualities are crucial for supporting the design process, ensuring accuracy, and contributing innovative ideas to footwear collections.

What are some common challenges faced by Footwear Design Assistants when working with cross-functional teams?

Footwear Design Assistants often collaborate closely with product developers, marketing professionals, and production teams. A common challenge is balancing creative vision with practical constraints like material costs, manufacturing capabilities, and tight deadlines. Clear communication and adaptability are essential to ensure that initial design concepts can be effectively translated into market-ready products. Being proactive in seeking feedback and understanding each team's priorities helps foster smoother collaboration and leads to successful project outcomes.

What are Footwear Design Assistants?

Footwear Design Assistants are entry-level professionals who support footwear designers in creating new shoe styles and collections. Their responsibilities typically include researching fashion trends, preparing design sketches, sourcing materials, and helping with technical specifications. They also assist in organizing prototypes, maintaining design documentation, and collaborating with other teams such as production and marketing. This role is an essential starting point for those looking to build a career in footwear or fashion design.

What is the difference between Footwear Design Assistant vs Footwear Designer?

AspectFootwear Design AssistantFootwear Designer
CredentialsRelevant fashion or design certifications, portfolioAdvanced design degree or extensive portfolio
Work EnvironmentAssist in design process, collaborate with teamsLead design projects, create original footwear concepts
Industry UsageEntry to mid-level role in footwear companiesSenior or lead role in footwear companies

The main difference between a Footwear Design Assistant and a Footwear Designer lies in responsibility and experience. The assistant supports the design team with research, sketches, and sample development, while the designer leads the creative process and makes final design decisions. Both roles require relevant certifications and industry experience, but the designer typically has a more advanced portfolio and higher level of responsibility.

More about Footwear Design Assistant jobs
What cities are hiring for Footwear Design Assistant jobs? Cities with the most Footwear Design Assistant job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Footwear Design jobs? The most popular types of Footwear Design jobs are:
What states have the most Footwear Design Assistant jobs? States with the most job openings for Footwear Design Assistant jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Footwear Design Assistant jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Footwear Design Assistant jobs are:
Infographic showing various Footwear Design Assistant job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Footwear Design Assistant

Ground Up International

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$50K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Design Assistant
Job Summary:
We are seeking a motivated and creative Design Assistant to join our dynamic design team. The Design Assistant will provide valuable support to senior designers in the conceptualization, development, and execution of design projects across various mediums. This role is ideal for individuals with a passion for design who are looking to gain hands-on experience and contribute to innovative and impactful creative initiatives.
About Ground Up:
Ground Up is a premier footwear manufacturer retaining an integrated portfolio of licensed and owned brands and has grown to be a leading supplier. The company's unique capability to design and translate fashion trends offers a fresh perspective on licensed footwear.
Ground Up was created with the vision of fulfilling the need for fun, innovative products for the true brand enthusiast. As our product entered the market, we found consumers wanting to express themselves and their fandom in new, creative ways. Consumers connect with us through our brand partnerships, giving them brands they love with a brand they now trust. Ground Up has become a recognizable brand for the whole family that stands for elevated fashion and fun.
We aspire to have our teams embody our core values of:
  • Service,
  • People,
  • Teamwork,
  • Opportunity,
  • Results,
  • Innovation, and
  • Trust

Key Responsibilities:
  • Assist senior designers in creating and refining design concepts for print, digital, and multimedia projects.
  • Collaborate closely with the design team to produce visual assets, layouts, and mock-ups that align with project objectives and brand guidelines.
  • Conduct research on design trends, industry best practices, and competitor analyses to inform design decisions and creative solutions.
  • Organize and maintain digital files, folders, and project assets to ensure accessibility, version control, and efficient workflow.
  • Assist in archiving completed projects and assets for future reference and reuse.
  • Develop proficiency in design software tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other relevant applications.
  • Learn and apply design techniques, principles, and software functionalities under the guidance of senior designers.
  • Implement revisions and refinements to design work based on feedback from senior designers and project leads.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Course completion in Footwear 101: Parts of a shoe
  • Experience in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is advantageous.
  • Strong creative thinking and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye for detail and aesthetics.
  • Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with the capacity to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate collaboratively within a team and across departments.
  • Eagerness to learn and adapt to new technologies, design trends, and industry developments.

GUP Perks
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k plan & access to employee recognition programs.
  • Paid vacation, holidays, Eternal Summer Fridays, birthdays off & more!
  • Friendly, fun, creative & collaborative work environment.
  • Ground Up International is an equal opportunity employer.