Freelance Design Thinking Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. It's our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for.
Location: Woodinville, WA

• This role is based in Woodinville, WA and this freelance role requires you to work onsite 2 days per week.
• To be considered, you must live within commuting distance, as regular in-person collaboration is a key part of the role.

Role Overview
BDA is seeking a highly creative and commercially minded Freelance Apparel Designer to help bring innovative, brand-right product concepts to life across men's, women's, and kids' categories. This role is ideal for a designer who can blend trend, storytelling, technical expertise, and practical product development to create apparel that is both exciting and executable.
In this role, you will own the design process from concept through final product, partnering closely with Sales, Merchandising, Sourcing, Product Development, Fit, and cross-functional stakeholders to develop breakthrough apparel and graphic assortments that align with client brand standards, business goals, and customer needs. You will help shape products that go beyond "putting a logo on apparel" - creating thoughtfully designed, custom product experiences that support some of the world's most recognizable brands.
The right person will bring strong apparel design experience, technical design knowledge, material and textile expertise, and the ability to present creative concepts with confidence. You will thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where innovation, commercial viability, and client impact all matter.
About BDA
BDA is a global leader in branded merchandise, helping some of the world's most recognized companies create meaningful connections through product, experiences, and brand storytelling. We are passionate about creating moments that matter - whether through custom merchandise, apparel, collectibles, promotional products, or fully integrated brand programs.
As we continue to grow, we are looking for creative, collaborative, and product-obsessed talent who want to help shape what's possible in the branded merchandise space.
About the Role
The Apparel Designer will create innovative, commercially viable apparel products across knits, wovens, tops, and bottoms for men's, women's, and kids' categories. This person will lead design from concept through final product, partnering across teams to ensure each product reflects strong design thinking, client brand expression, technical accuracy, and manufacturability.
This is a hands-on creative role for someone who understands apparel construction, materials, fit, graphics, costing, and production realities - and who can use design to solve both creative and business challenges.
What You Do
• Innovative Design Thinking: Create breakthrough products across various categories, including knits, wovens, tops, and bottoms in all departments, Men's Women's, and Kid's.
• Design Development: Lead the design process from conceptualization to final product, ensuring excellence in performance, function, and aesthetics.
• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Partner with Sales, Merchandising, Sourcing, Product Development, Fit, to ideate, refine, and evolve design concepts, always pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
• Pressure-Test Assumptions: Oversee the design process by conducting wear-testing, validation, and material development, ensuring each idea is tested rigorously and refined to meet client standards.
• Storytelling & Communication: Prepare compelling presentations that communicate the innovation behind your designs-crafting narratives, toolboxes, and frameworks that bring your concepts to life for key stakeholders.
• Development & Knowledge Sharing: Share your expertise with teammates, helping them grow and develop their own design skills. Foster a collaborative, knowledge-sharing environment that elevates the entire team.
• Drive Commercial Success: Focus on creating commercially viable innovations that resonate with our client's needs and strategic business goals.
• Brand Expression: Create compelling designs and graphic assortments that are innovating, while staying true to branded client guardrails.
What You Bring
• A deep passion for creating innovative products that appeal to clients
• Using creative design to solve product cost limitations
• Expertise in product construction, trims, materials, and apparel manufacturing with a keen eye for the finest details.
• A collaborative mindset, eager to work across teams to bring your ideas to life.
• Experience in leading the design process from concept to final product including costing, graphic creation and material development.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex ideas in a clear, inspiring way to internal teams and external clients.
• A commitment to continuous learning and knowledge sharing to help elevate the team's collective talent
Must Haves / Required Experience
• Apparel Design Experience
• Material/Textile
• Technical Design
• Pattern and fit
• Manufacturing and production
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Prototype fitting
• AI tools - prompting and knowhow
• Technical drawing and specification package creation
• Presenting creative concepts
Why This Role / Why BDA
This is an opportunity to design apparel that does more than follow trends - it helps brands create meaningful moments with their customers, employees, fans, and communities. At BDA, apparel design sits at the intersection of creativity, brand storytelling, product innovation, and commercial impact.
You will have the opportunity to partner with passionate product, sales, sourcing, and merchandising teams while designing for recognizable brands and client programs that reach real people in memorable ways. This role is perfect for someone who loves the creative process, understands how to make great ideas manufacturable, and wants to see their designs move from concept to tangible product.
At BDA, you will be part of a culture that values collaboration, continuous improvement, creativity, and people who bring fire in the belly to what they do.
Why BDA?
BDA is a place where creativity, partnership, and customer care come together. For more than 40 years, we have helped some of the world's most recognized brands create memorable experiences through branded merchandise, gifting, and custom programs. We are proud of the work we do, the relationships we build, and the people behind it all. At BDA, you will find a team that values collaboration, innovation, and a "get it done" mindset - while still making space for creativity, growth, and meaningful impact.
Our Core Values:

• BDA is a Team and a Family
• Always Strive to Be The Best
• Entrepreneurial Spirit
• Tigger Attitude
• Work Hard, Play Hard
• Make It Happen the Best Way
• Total Client Affinity & Advocacy

Want to learn more? So much to explore

• BDA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bda_inc/
• Harper + Scott (a BDA company): https://www.harperandscott.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/harperandscott/
• swagup (a BDA company) end-to-end Merch Ecommerce site: https://www.swagup.com/
• Idea Planet (a BDA company): https://www.ideaplanetlp.com/about
• BDA Careers Page: https://www.bdainc.com/careers/
• LinkedIn - BDA page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bdainc/

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Engagement Type: Freelance / Independent Contractor
This is a 1099 independent contractor opportunity and is not a W-2 employee position. The selected contractor will be engaged to provide services under an independent contractor agreement.
Compensation: We are open to reviewing proposed bill rates based on the contractor's experience, scope of services, and project needs. Final compensation will be agreed upon before engagement begins and documented in the contractor agreement.
BDA is more than a workplace - it's a family. For more than four decades we've promoted a vibrant and welcoming culture that not only accepts but demands you to be different. The quirky, the bold, the creative and the unique make up the foundation of a company that the most iconic brands in the world look to help tell their story through the power of merchandise.
BDA Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
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For more information:
www.bdainc.com
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Must be 18 years or older to apply.