Design Assistant at Rubies in Plainview, NY

Summary: Rubies is the world's largest designer, manufacturer, and distributor of Halloween costumes and accessories. They are looking for a creative and detail-oriented Design Assistant to support the design team in developing innovative costume and accessory concepts.

Responsibilities:
- Partner with the Design Director and design team to develop costumes, accessories, and other seasonal products
- Research emerging fashion, costume, color, and consumer trends, as well as new materials and construction techniques, to inspire innovative product concepts
- Assist in creating original design concepts, sketches, and presentation materials
- Prepare and maintain detailed specification sheets and technical packages, ensuring accuracy throughout all stages of product development
- Support the development process by tracking revisions, samples, and approvals
- Create and present seasonal mood boards, color palettes, and trend presentations for cross-functional meetings
- Maintain organized material libraries, trim and component archives, fabric swatches, and reference samples
- Assist with sample reviews, fit sessions, and product evaluations, documenting comments and required changes
- Collaborate with Product Development, Sourcing, and Production teams to ensure products meet design intent, quality standards, and development timelines
- Organize digital design files, artwork, and seasonal archives to ensure easy accessibility
- Perform additional design and administrative tasks as needed to support the team

Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Costume Design, Product Design, or related field
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator and Photoshop
- Strong sketching, color, and presentation skills with an understanding of design development processes
- Strong eye for design, detail, and consumer trends, with interest in costumes, Halloween, and seasonal products
- Excellent organization with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
- Collaborative, self-motivated team player with strong communication skills and eagerness to learn

Preferred Qualifications:
- 1-3 years of design or product development experience, preferred
- Understanding of technical design, including product specifications and construction details, preferred

Required Skills: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Sketching, Color theory, Product specification, Technical design, Trend research, Product development

Benefits: Opportunity to shape the future of a growing company, Competitive salary and benefits package, Opportunities for professional growth and development, Collaborative and supportive work environment