Lead Designer, Basketball Apparel Color Design

Contract Duration: Approximately 6 months (with possibility for extension)

Cella is seeking a Lead Color Designer to drive the seasonal creative direction for an iconic global athletic brand's premier basketball apparel lines. In this role, you will be the mastermind behind the color theories and visual narratives for high-profile signature athlete collections, branded products, and licensed gear. You won't just follow trends—you will define them by translating deep consumer insights into powerful, trend-setting design stories.

Responsibilities: As a Lead Color Designer, a "day in the life" involves bridging the gap between high-level creative storytelling and technical execution. Your daily tasks will include:

• Creative Storytelling: Developing comprehensive, trend-driven color narratives and original content across seasonal apparel assortments for both Men's and Women's products.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partnering directly with Apparel Design counterparts, Product Management, and Development teams to communicate design intent and ensure cohesive execution.
• Product Development Support: Collaborating with manufacturing and development teams to assist with schematic creation, review tech packs, and work directly in hands-on prototype workshops.
• High-Profile Presentations: Managing, designing, and presenting highly visual concept materials to internal senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and external partners (including elite athletes and collaborators).
• Footwear Integration: Supporting seasonal direction work on the footwear expression team, helping to drive compelling new color theories that bridge the gap between apparel and footwear.

Qualifications:

• Experience: 3-5 years of minimum required design experience (6+ years preferred) working within sportswear, streetwear, or fashion apparel.
• Technical Software Mastery: Professional-level proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is required. Direct experience with Miro, CLO 3D, and Vizcom is highly preferred.
• Design Fundamentals: Expert-level knowledge of color theory, textiles, apparel construction, schematic development, and tech pack creation.
• Portfolio Requirement: A comprehensive digital portfolio demonstrating exceptional color application, drawing/sketching, CAD development, typography, and graphic storytelling is mandatory for submission.
• Education: BA/BFA/MA/MFA preferred in Apparel Design, Fashion Design, Textile Design, Graphic Design, or a related field (or an equivalent combination of education and industry experience).

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Cella, a Randstad digital company, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact HRsupport@randstadusa.com.

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Cella by Randstad digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).