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Senior Designer

Brooklyn, New York

ABOUT US 

Uncommon Goods partners with independent makers and small businesses to offer a wide and constantly evolving assortment of original, creative products. 

We are built on better business practices and committed to having a positive impact. Learn more here.  

The best part of Uncommon Goods is us—our team. We've been around for over 20 years because of all the wonderful people who make UG the one-of-a-kind company it is. 

Learn more about our products, B Corp certification, guiding principles, Better to Give program, and team members you might be working with. Listen to the story of Uncommon Goods from our Founder and CEO here and here. 

The Uncommon Goods PD team is a dynamic group of creatives and sourcing experts who contribute directly to creating our highly original and uncommon assortment. We work closely with partners in merchandising, as well as our rapidly expanding on-site manufacturing operation, to develop and bring products to market that delight our customers. In this role, you'll be able to see your original product ideas brought to life to the Uncommon Goods assortment and work closely with other members of the team to develop compelling designs for existing product concepts. 

EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE 

At Uncommon Goods, we believe we're all out of the ordinary.  That's why we're committed to making diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging part of everything we do. We strive to make significant changes to our business, from how we find our products to how we build and cultivate our team—so we can be everyone's favorite place to work. 

We are an equal opportunity employer. If you would like to request any accommodation during the application process, please email people@uncommongoods.com. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

The Uncommon Goods Product Development team designs and develops unique, exclusive, highly personalized gifts for our customers. The Senior Designer focuses on generating new ideas and accelerating original physical product introductions to the Uncommon Goods assortment. With the list of skills below, the Designer should excel at navigating design intent and production challenges while simultaneously leading multiple projects. 

In addition, the Designer will work with our directory of external designers to create new products, seek out and establish relationships with new artists and designers who align with our company brand, and mentor other designers within the team. An excellent candidate is a self-propelled, highly creative individual who has a keen eye for detail and thrives on solving problems. Success in this role is defined by the designer’s ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while collaborating closely with multiple cross-functional partners to deliver on the overall UG merchandising vision. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

  • Design with purpose: Conceptualize original product ideas across all company categories—solving problems and creating emotional connections.  
  • Lead and inspire: Manage the Designer and Associate Designer, providing mentorship, coaching, and constructive critique while ensuring deadlines and project goals are met. 
  • Think like a maker: Guide design intent from concept through production, ensuring feasibility and manufacturability. 
  • Collaborate creatively: Lead brainstorms with the Product Development team and cross-functional partners to drive innovative concepts and successful launches. 
  • Manage the details: Complete detailed technical briefs for all developments and work closely with vendors to refine designs for production efficiency. 
  • Present your vision: Share new ideas with the Director, Product Development team, Merchants, and Senior Leadership, building alignment on design direction. 
  • Foster partnerships: Manage relationships with external designers, provide clear feedback, and seek new collaborators to elevate the brand.  
  • Connect the dots: Communicate with Production, Merchant, and Licensing teams to ensure smooth execution from concept to final product. 

 

ABOUT YOU 

You are a highly creative and detail-oriented designer with a passion for bringing unique products to life. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple projects while maintaining a high level of design quality and innovation. You have strong technical knowledge of 3D product design and understand how to translate creative concepts into manufacturable products. Your problem-solving skills help you navigate design challenges, and your collaborative mindset allows you to work seamlessly with cross-functional teams, vendors, and external designers. You are a strong mentor, able to provide constructive feedback and guidance to your team while also being hands-on in product development. 

YOU BRING 

  • A Bachelor's degree in Design, Industrial Design, a related field or equivalent experience. 
  • 7+ years of experience as an industrial designer, product designer or similar role. 
  • Outstanding taste level and design experience in at least two of the following areas - home, accessories, and gifting. 
  • Excellent technical knowledge of three-dimensional product design. Experience of applying surface art to product and/or packaging. Familiarity with the technical considerations needed when designing for various production processes and materials. 
  • Demonstrated success bringing products to market from conception through production. 
  • An ability to problem solve and arrive at imaginative solutions. 
  • An ability to drive the design review cycle and close on design requirements independently. 
  • Experience working in a collaborative team and working directly with production managers and manufacturers for implementation of designs. 
  • An ability to respond to business objectives and analyze sales data to arrive at creative and innovative design solutions. 
  • A self- starter mindset with excellent communication, organization, and interpersonal skills. 
  • Excellent Computer Skills – Microsoft and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) proficiency required. 
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Rhino or equivalent are required. 
  • Graphic design skills, surface art and typography skills preferred. 
  • Experience working with licensed products, ensuring designs meet brand guidelines and licensor requirements is a plus. 
  • Knowledge of production techniques, such as laser cutting, UV printing, woodworking, and ceramics, is a plus. 

 

PORTFOLIO REQUIRED 

Please include a portfolio showcasing your 3D product design skills, with a focus on physical product development. Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to design manufacturable products, apply surface graphics to 3D objects, and solve production challenges. 

COMPANY PERKS 

  • Benefits: We invest in your well-being through subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance; in your career with free, confidential, 1-on-1 coaching; and in your future via 401K matching. You can even invest in our future through employee stock options.  
  • Education Subsidy: We reimburse up to $5250 (the yearly IRS limit) of tuition for college coursework or professional training.  
  • Service: We offer eight hours of paid time off each year for volunteering. 
  • Commuter benefits: We offer a pretax discount for those who take public transportation (train, bus, and ferry). For those who prefer to pedal to work, we offer significantly discounted yearly Citi Bike memberships and/or will provide money to help with purchase or repair of your own bike.  
  • Team member discounts: Our team members can buy our goods at a 40% discount (and take our Uncommon Experience classes free).  
  • Work/life balance: We offer generous paid time off, and we supplement New York State Short Term Disability for 3 weeks and New York State Paid Family Leave for 8 weeks. 
  • Casual environment: No need to dress up—wear comfortable clothes every day. And we hold occasional, fun, company-wide events. 
  • Open book policy: We share our financial results with the entire team every week in our management update email and periodically in our biweekly company-wide meeting, UncommonCo. 
  • Collaborative environment: Whether it's a data analyst recommending products to the buyers or a warehouse manager providing the theme for an email blast, we welcome your talents and insight, wherever they apply. 
  • Learn more about your FMLA rights here.    

 

This is a full-time salaried position with an annual base salary range of $100,000 - $115,000. This role is eligible for our annual performance bonus program. 

This hybrid role works on-site at our waterfront Brooklyn location 2 to 3 days a week reporting to our Director of Product Development.  

 

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