Support Center - Irving The Designer - Sourcing is a member of our Trend and Design Team and plays a key role within our integrated Private Brand Team. Responsible for supporting trend direction & artwork, creating product designs, and technical specs for product that supports Michaels private brands. Reports directly to the Manager - Trend and Design and collaborates with cross-functional teams: Product Development, Sourcing, Product Integrity, Buyers, Marketing, etc. **Major Activities** **Trend Support** + Competitive Market Shopping: Reports trend observations by shopping and navigating both store and online resources to identify new product opportunities. + Trend Forecasting: Performs monthly analysis with forecasting services and trend sharing with cross-functional teams. + Trend Guides & Artwork: Contributes toward initial concepts and vision. Creates original artwork to accompany internal trends as needed. + Concepting & Creative Problem Solving: Participates in trend ideation/brainstorming sessions. Contributes toward new product concepts/updates. **Product Support** + Lead Category Product Design: Translates conceptual inspiration into product, patterns, icons, and typography to support product assortments. Maintains core category sales knowledge. Responsible for team key calendar and milestone design deliverables. + Product Category Support: Attends weekly team meetings, presents designs to cross-functional teams, and attends assortment walks as necessary. **Technical Design Support** + Creates and executes production artwork & technical spec packs for new product concepts. + Attends sample reviews and provides design execution feedback. **Cross-Functional** + Team Support & Special Projects + Provides support on special projects for cross-functional teams: Marketing, Packaging, Product Integrity, and Sourcing. **Domestic Travel** + Travels domestically to attend tradeshows or competitive shopping. **Other duties as assigned** **Minimum Knowledge/Skills/Abilities** **Minimum Education** + Bachelor’s Degree in a related design field (product design, graphic design, fine art, fashion, illustration) and/or equivalent experience **Minimum Special Certifications or Technical Skills** + Strong working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign on a Mac Platform + Proficiency in Microsoft Office software + Ability to create concepts or piece-type renderings through hand/digital sketching + Ability to create icons, graphics, prints, and repeat patterns + Ability to create technical spec packs for product design **Minimum Type of Experience the Job Requires** + 3+ years experience in product design + Experience with a major retailer, manufacturer, brand, or design firm is a plus + Experience in arts and crafts, home décor, and seasonal products a plus **Other** + Clear and effective verbal and written communication, along with strong interpersonal skills + Proactive, professional, and motivated attitude + Excellent organizational, attention to detail, and time management skills **Applicants in the U.S. must satisfy federal, state, and local legal requirements of the job.** At The Michaels Companies Inc, **our purpose is to fuel the joy of creativity** . As the leading creative destination in North America, we operate over 1,300 stores in 49 states and Canada and online at Michaels.com (http://www.michaels.com./) and Michaels.ca . The Michaels Companies, Inc. also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of custom and specialty framing merchandise, and MakerPlace by Michaels (https://www.michaels.com/makerplace) , a dedicated handmade goods marketplace. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, **Michaels is the best place for all things creative.** For more information, please visit  www.michaels.com At Michaels, we prioritize the wellbeing of our teams by providing robust benefits for both full-time and part-time Team Members. Our benefits include health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), paid time off, tuition assistance, generous employee discounts, and much more. For more information, visit mikbenefits.com . **Michaels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are here for all Team Members and all Makers to create, innovate and be better together.** _Michaels is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, Michaels will assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the job, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Customer Care at 1-800-642-4235 (1800-MICHAEL)._ EEOC Know Your Rights Poster in English (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088\_EEOC\_KnowYourRights\_10\_20.pdf) EEOC Know Your Rights Poster in Spanish EEOC Poster Optimized for Screen Readers (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/EEOC\_KnowYourRights\_screen\_reader\_10\_20.pdf) Federal FMLA Poster Federal EPPAC Poster (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf)