Assistant Designer

About the Company

Argos is a digitally led UK retailer serving millions of customers through its website, app, same-day delivery and Click & Collect options. The business operates across a wide range of functions including Commercial, Buying, Merchandising, Design, Supply Chain, Digital, Operations, Customer Experience, Marketing, People and Transformation. It offers opportunities to learn, develop and grow while helping shape the customer experience every day.

The role is being hired in collaboration with Sainsbury’s DTD.

Argos also develops and sells a mix of owned brands such as Habitat, Chad Valley and Bush, alongside leading global brands including Apple, Lego, Xbox and Samsung.

About the Team

The General Merchandise Design team is responsible for creating commercial, original and customer-led ranges for Argos and Habitat. Designers work closely with Senior Designers, Buyers, Technologists, suppliers and product development teams to combine trend insight, creativity and commercial judgement into products that support the category vision and introduce fresh ideas for customers.

Role Overview

As an Assistant Designer, you will help deliver inspiring seasonal design work and support the team from early research and concept development through to supplier briefings and key range meetings. You will assist with concept boards, colour and trend boards, project briefs, design specifications, artwork files and presentation materials, while keeping design administration organised and accurate.

You will also handle sample and swatch management, maintain artwork and design files, update colour, theme, trend and bay boards, and support preparation for selection, sign-off, review and trading meetings. The role includes working with Designers, Buyers, suppliers, external designers and Product Development teams as needed, as well as conducting competitor and trend research through store visits, trade fairs, press shows and online sources of inspiration.

Key Responsibilities

Your day-to-day work will focus on supporting the design process and keeping creative documentation in good order.

• Assist with the creation of concept, colour and trend boards, briefs, artwork assets and presentation materials.
• Support the preparation of product briefs, design specifications and supplier-facing documentation.
• Manage bought samples and material swatches and keep them organised.
• Maintain up-to-date design files, artwork records and board materials.
• Update bay boards and theme, colour and trend boards as required.
• Help prepare materials for selection, sign-off, review and trading meetings.
• Work with Designers, Buyers, suppliers, external designers and Product Development teams when needed.
• Carry out competitor and trend research through market visits, trade shows, press events and online inspiration.
• Keep design administration accurate and aligned with deadlines and critical path milestones.

Requirements

• You should be able to present a portfolio showing relevant design work, including examples of colour, trend, artwork, concept or product development work.
• You need working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for producing or supporting briefs, palettes, boards, artwork or design specifications.
• You should be comfortable using Microsoft Outlook and Word for communication, document handling and design administration.
• You must be able to collaborate effectively with designers, buyers, suppliers and other cross-functional stakeholders, with clear written and verbal communication.
• You should be able to organise your workload and complete design support tasks such as sample tracking, board updates, file management and supplier specifications within deadlines.
• A degree in a creative industry or equivalent design experience is required.
• Experience working in a design studio and/or using 3D software would be an advantage, though it is not essential.

Eligibility

This opportunity is suitable for candidates with a creative industries degree or comparable design experience who can demonstrate design capability through a portfolio. Applicants should be comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-moving retail design environment.

Benefits

• 10% colleague discount at Sainsbury’s, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks.
• 15% discount at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday and 15% discount at Argos every payday.
• Pension scheme and life cover.
• Performance-related bonus of up to 5% of salary, subject to business performance and eligibility.
• Annual holiday allowance with the option to buy extra leave.
• Season ticket loans.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Pay advance, allowing access to part of your pay before payday.
• Access to discounts from hundreds of other retailers.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Enhanced family leave: up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.

Additional Information

The business is committed to being inclusive and welcoming to all colleagues. Development is taken seriously, and employees are encouraged to try new opportunities within the team or elsewhere across the business. Flexible working may be available where possible. Please note that roles may close early because of the volume of applications received.