Associate Designer - Pottery Barn Kids

About the Team

You will join a collaborative Product Development and Design team responsible for bringing customer-centered, trend-forward products to life from concept through production. Working closely with Design, Technical Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, Color, and overseas vendor partners, this team supports seasonal development across product categories while maintaining the brand's design vision, quality standards, and business goals.

As part of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., a leader in home lifestyle and retail, our team works cross-functionally across brands and departments to deliver beautifully designed, functional products for the home.

Role Overview

The Associate Designer will support seasonal product development for Pottery Barn Kids, contributing to new product lines that reflect market trends, business needs, and the brand's elevated design point of view.

This role requires a strong Fine Art background, with the ability to create original artwork by hand and digitally. The ideal candidate is skilled in traditional media such as watercolor, gouache, and oil painting, and can translate original artwork into murals, wallpapers, tabletop designs, surface patterns, and product applications across multiple categories.

The Associate Designer will partner closely with Senior Designers, the Director, and the Head Design Manager to support concept development, product specifications, vendor communication, sample reviews, and seasonal presentations. This role requires strong organization, clear communication, calendar ownership, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.

This role requires being onsite in our office Monday through Friday.

Responsibilities

Seasonal Product Development

• Create original artwork for murals, wallpapers, tabletop, surface design, and other product applications across multiple categories.
• Work confidently across traditional and digital media, including watercolor, gouache, oil painting, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Support seasonal concept development through artwork, trend research, inspiration gathering, concept boards, and product ideas.
• Assist Senior Designers in managing concepts from initial development through product approval.
• Prepare materials for weekly Product Development meetings and key seasonal calendar milestones.
• Support seasonal product presentations for cross-functional teams and senior management.
• Understand business results and support product changes that arise from weekly Monday Business Review meetings.
• Communicate development updates and design direction to vendors, overseas partners, merchants, sourcing, and color teams.
• Maintain and organize development samples, artwork files, concept materials, and product information both physically and digitally.

Product Development Strategy

• Contribute thoughtful insights that support team objectives, seasonal strategy, and brand goals.
• Identify relevant fashion, interiors, color, and market trends that may create new product or business opportunities.
• Balance creative vision with product realities, including materials, cost, construction, and production feasibility.
• Support calendar management by tracking key milestones, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Adapt quickly to shifting priorities while managing multiple seasons and product needs.
• Help improve team workflows, processes, and communication tools where needed.
• Build business acumen by understanding brand direction, financial goals, assortment needs, and seasonal performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Merchandising, Sourcing, Technical Design, Color, Engineering, Williams Sonoma Global Operations, and vendor partners.
• Use Product Lifecycle Management systems to review and track product development status.
• Clearly communicate design intent, product needs, artwork direction, and vendor feedback.
• Support department needs by bringing forward new ideas for artwork, product specs, and concept boards.
• Identify product development issues and help problem-solve with the appropriate cross-functional partners.
• Maintain strong communication with domestic and overseas teams to support accurate execution of the design vision.

Criteria

Design Experience

• Degree in Fine Art, Textile Design, Surface Design, Illustration, or a related creative field, with a strong Fine Art foundation required.
• Portfolio or website demonstrating current and past work, including original artwork, hand-rendered techniques, surface design, product design, or relevant commercial applications.
• Minimum 2 years of retail product design experience.
• Strong ability to create original artwork by hand and translate it into product applications.
• Experience designing category-specific product with an understanding of materials, construction, pricing, and production needs.
• Ability to identify and contribute trends and inspiration based on seasonal concept direction.
• Strong taste level with a passion for interiors, home furnishings, color, pattern, children's product, designer aesthetic, and industry trends.
• Understanding of and enthusiasm for the Pottery Barn Kids brand.

Preferred Experience

• Experience collaborating with domestic and overseas factories or vendor partners.
• Understanding of price adjustments and how to maintain brand aesthetic while meeting cost goals.
• Mass manufacturing experience in a retail environment.
• Knowledge of construction, technical design, and product specifications.
• 3D modeling skills, especially for hard goods, are a plus.

Competencies

• Strong creative, artistic, and conceptual design skills.

• Excellent hand-painting, drawing, color, and composition abilities.

• Strong technical proficiency in Mac operating systems and Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator and Photoshop.

• Ability to create detailed specs, product reviews, and vendor feedback.

• Highly organized, efficient, and detail-oriented with strong calendar ownership.

• Excellent time management, communication, and follow-through.

• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and confidence working with merchants, sourcing, product development, and vendor partners.

• Proactive, agile, and engaged in the seasonal development process.

• Strong sense of urgency and accountability for deadlines and deliverables.

• Our Culture & Values

• We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.

• People First

• Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:

• Benefits

• A generous discount on all WSI brands

• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities

• Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer

• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits

• Tax-free commuter benefits

• A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health

• Continued Learning

• In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University

• Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities

• Resources for self-development

• Advisor (Mentor) program

• Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series  

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $70,000 - $80,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.