Product Design & Development Associate - Toys

1 Month ago • All levels • Product Design

Job Summary

Job Description

This role focuses on developing trend-right products for Disney licensees and direct-to-retail partners. Responsibilities include managing the product design and development process from initiation to production, ensuring compliance with Disney's quality and creative standards. The associate will provide design direction and feedback to licensees, educate them on Disney's brand guidelines, and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This involves creating product pitches, design visuals, and mock-ups, staying updated on industry trends, and collaborating on design projects. The role requires strong design and conceptual skills, proficiency in relevant software, and an understanding of manufacturing techniques.
Must have:
  • Product design degree or equivalent experience
  • Commercial product development experience (Hardlines & Toys)
  • Prototype creation
  • Knowledge of industry trends
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Proficiency in design software (Photoshop, Illustrator)
  • Understanding of manufacturing techniques
Good to have:
  • Packaging experience
  • Knowledge of OPA system
  • Knowledge of fabrics and stitching
  • Other European languages
  • Experience with CAD drawing
Perks:
  • 25 days annual leave
  • Private medical insurance & dental care
  • Free Park Entry
  • Disney Discounts
  • Excellent parental and guardian leave
  • Employee Resource Groups

Job Details

Job Summary:

About The Role & Team

The overall purpose of this role is to develop trend and brand-right products for licensees and Direct-to-Retail (DTR) partners, providing technical product design direction, inspiration, and support. You will be responsible for executing the product design, development, and approval processes for the relevant category, ensuring that all products meet the highest standards of quality and creativity.

This role requires a keen eye for trends, a deep understanding of brand integrity, and the ability to inspire and guide licensees through the entire product lifecycle. Your contributions will be pivotal in maintaining the Disney brand's reputation for excellence and innovation in consumer products.

This role is a full-time position, with 4 days in the office based out of Hammersmith, London.

What You Will You Do

  • Facilitate the approval process from initiation to production in a timely manner, ensuring all product submissions are routed through Disney’s Online Product Approval (OPA) system in accordance with global product integrity guidelines, with a particular focus on Hardlines and Toys.
  • Offer product design and trend direction, inspiration, and feedback to licensees on both 2D application and 3D product submissions to enhance product quality, especially within the Hardlines and Toys category.
  • Educate and support all new and existing licensees on the Disney brand, property portfolio, creative assets, and approval systems.
  • Ensure licensees have access to the appropriate creative assets for product development.
  • Foster and maintain successful working relationships with licensees and other internal and external stakeholders.
  • Develop product pitches, new product design visuals, and dedicated core design mock-ups under the guidance of the Senior Product Design and Development Manager/Product Design and Development Manager.
  • Maintain a thorough knowledge of Disney’s characters, films, properties, heritage, and creative assets to assist in their application on consumer products.
  • Collaborate with the wider team at regional, local, and global levels as required, including participation in design projects as directed.
  • Ensure products adhere to corporate policies and legislation.
  • Stay updated on contemporary product design and graphic trends (in the relevant category), leading brands, and relevant pop culture.
  • Participate in ‘inspiration’ trips as needed to broaden understanding of the EMEA marketplace, seeking out ideas and new creative solutions to better understand the industry and drive innovation and creativity.

Required Qualifications & Skills

  • Hold a degree in a related field (such as product design) and/or possess equivalent experience in a lifestyle product company.
  • Demonstrate proven commercial product development experience in relevant categories, particularly Hardlines and Toys, or have experience in a product design role at a licensee, retail head office, or supplier.
  • Have some packaging experience and an understanding of style guides for the Online Product Approval (OPA) system, which is desirable.
  • Show demonstrated experience in creating prototypes or models.
  • Possess knowledge of trends within the Hardlines and Toys industry and the broader world of design, with a working knowledge of common manufacturing techniques and their application in production.
  • Communicate a clear product design brief and basic design ideas using CAD drawing, computer techniques, and/or third-party design resources.
  • Deliver against set deadlines and budgets as directed.
  • Exhibit strong design and conceptual skills.
  • Understand fabric, color, and product design.
  • Present design ideas effectively to internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
  • Understand production techniques and graphic applications with an eye for color and shape, preferred.
  • Have in-depth knowledge of fabrics and stitching techniques, preferred.
  • Influence and support change amongst stakeholders.
  • Be proficient in written and spoken English for business use; other European languages are beneficial.
  • Be computer literate, including Mac OSX, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and MS Office.
  • Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA.

  

The Perks

  • 25 days annual leave
  • Private medical insurance & dental care
  • Free Park Entry: the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
  • Disney Discounts: entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
  • Excellent parental and guardian leave
  • Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

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About The Company

From classic animated features and exhilarating theme park attractions to cutting edge sports coverage, and the hottest shows on television, The Walt Disney Company has been making magic since 1923, creating unforgettable stories that connect with audiences around the world. And we’re just getting started!

The key to our success…. The Cast, Crew, Imagineers and Employees who honor Disney’s rich legacy by stretching the bounds of imagination to create the never-before-seen, bringing unparalleled entertainment experiences to people of all ages. Begin a career that delivers unparalleled creative content and experiences to audiences around the world and just imagine the stories you could be part of…

What is #LifeAtDisney like? It’s a series of magical moments with cast members and employees developing and telling our stories in the most innovative ways. Whether it’s a day spent as a Disney VoluntEAR, or celebrating the release of a new interactive experience, retail product or movie, our days are filled with the knowledge that we are creating entertainment experiences the whole family can enjoy. Follow @DisneyCareers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a peek behind-the-curtain, and discover how you could connect to a world of stories with Disney!

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