Trainee Design Assistant

River Island

Trainee Assistant Designer supporting the Design team at River Island in creating affordable fashion products. Responsibilities include design support, research, and sample management.

Posted 7/15/2026contractLondon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomEntry LevelWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates foundational skills in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, along with a strong understanding of product development and design principles. Capable of managing samples and conducting research to support design discussions while showcasing creativity and effective communication.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Adobe IllustratorAdobe PhotoshopProduct DevelopmentDesign PortfolioStrong Organisation Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Mood BoardsTrend BoardsFabric BoardsDesign Specification PacksSample Management

Soft Skills

Strong Verbal CommunicationCuriositySelf-StarterAction-OrientedAdaptable

Industry Keywords

Design DevelopmentTrend InsightsCustomisingTrimmingMocking Up Samples

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Creation of up to date mood, trend and fabric boards, company palette and trend books, effective management of these to support Design development discussions
Conduct research projects and provide relevant and timely trend insights to inform Design development discussions
Management of samples, including organisation of sample rooms and racking up for meetings
Assisting with product design, customising, trimming and mocking up of samples, producing detailed design specification packs

Requirements

What you’ll need

This is an entry level role, no previous work experience is required unless work experience used as a substitute for studies/qualification
Qualifications or studies relevant to Design are essential
Must be able to provide a portfolio of Design work
Foundational Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills are essential
Foundational Product Development skills
Strong organisation skills
Strong verbal communication skills
Curiosity and capacity to learn
Self-starter
Action-oriented
Adaptable
Takes initiative
Highly creative
Passion for RI brand and customer

Benefits

Comp & perks

Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!
Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.
A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill your needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
Flexible working, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
23 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!