Design Assistant

Oner Active

Design Assistant at Oner Active working on innovative activewear collections. Collaborating with senior designers on trend research and product development in a hybrid environment.

Posted 5/19/2026full-timeLondon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomJuniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design Development & Support: Assisting mood boards, sketches, CAD drawings, and technical packs
Assisting across entire collection development; contributing ideas and concepts for seasonal collections including but not limited to general research, colour palettes, themes, and product direction across both performance and lifestyle categories.
Researching fabrics, trims, colours, and construction techniques to bring new ideas to the table, with the guidance of a senior designer
Select fabrics and components that are suitable for product collections and relevant for market with the guidance of a senior designer
Create design presentations and support the preparation of product presentations and reviews.
Trend Research & Insights: Research and identify trends in fashion, fitness, and culture to inform design decisions and inspire innovative product solutions, with the guidance of a senior designer
Support comp shopping, trade fair visits, and market analysis. Gathering inspiration to support the creative vision of upcoming collections.
Create compelling trend research and act as the design voice when working with Buying, Merchandising, and Commercial leadership.
Anticipate the needs of the Oner Active customer to deliver product ranges that reflect customer demand
Product Development & Collaboration: Assisting and ownership in the creation of technical specifications including Tech Packs and Bill of Materials (BOM’s) requiring knowledge of relevant fabrics and compositions, trim details, construction methods and design details, with the guidance of a senior designer
Participating in garment fittings, taking notes and assisting with any necessary adjustments to ensure all garments meet high quality design and fit expectations, with the guidance of a senior designer
Cross collaboration - working closely with design, garment tech and sourcing to ensure accurate execution of product across all collections.
Continuous learning and development to stay abreast of industry developments and emerging technologies across lifestyle and performance sportswear design, with the guidance of a senior designer
Maintain organised records of all design work, including overviews and accurately updated design files and technical packs.
Maintain archiving and filing of key design attributes including trim samples, graphic ideas and strike offs, and branding approvals.
Collaboration with buying on lab dips and the actioning of all strike offs including graphics, trims, branding and design trials, with the guidance of a senior designer.

Requirements

What you’ll need

A minimum of 1-2 years experience in a design assistant/assistant designer role preferably within an activewear brand.
High proficiency in Illustrator.
Competency in CAD design and technical drawing is essential.
Good knowledge of technical processes including garment construction and pattern making.
Good awareness of colour, fabrication, trim and design details.
Strong understanding of the lifestyle and activewear market, with a creative desire to contribute to developing products that set trends rather than follow.
Strong interest and awareness of contemporary culture; someone with their finger firmly on the pulse is essential.
Good commercial awareness, with the ability to identify key target consumers and an understanding of their tastes, lifestyles and needs.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
Passionate, enthusiastic, shows initiative.
Excellent organisational and time management skills, attention to detail.
Ability to work under pressure and able to prioritise and manage deadlines.
Passion for the Oner Active brand and a desire to be part of its ongoing growth and success.

Benefits

Comp & perks

25 days annual leave + bank holidays and work from anywhere up to 4 weeks a year
5% employer match salary sacrifice pension scheme
Generous Oner Active discount plus regular office sample sales
Free Evolve You subscription
Private Healthcare with Vitality including optical and dental
Monthly wellness allowance and team workout classes
Start-up culture - the chance to learn and make a real impact
Great employee events like our Summer party, Christmas party and team away days
Healthy office snacks and fruit (plus a chocolate cupboard for a sweet treat for the balance)
Dog friendly office

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

IllustratorCAD designtechnical drawinggarment constructionpattern makingtechnical specificationsTech PacksBill of Materialstrend researchfabric selection

Soft Skills

communicationinterpersonal skillscollaborationorganisational skillstime managementattention to detailinitiativepassionenthusiasmability to work under pressure