Design Assistant

DESIGN ASSISTANT

Full Time | 12 Month Placement

24 days annual leave + bank holidays

Starting Summer 2026 for second-year undergraduate students (one year placement)

Flexible earlier start for postgraduate candidates

Play your part in 240 years of British knitwear excellence

Closing Date: 31st January 2026

Are you a creative, detail-oriented second-year undergraduate or postgraduate design student looking to gain hands-on industry experience with a world-renowned British knitwear brand?

At John Smedley, we’ve been designing and crafting exceptional knitwear for over two centuries. Now, we’re offering an exciting 12-month Design Placement opportunity for a second-year undergraduate completing a year in industry, or a postgraduate seeking practical industry experience, to join our Design & New Product Development team.

This is your chance to bring fresh ideas to a brand steeped in heritage, supporting real projects, contributing to seasonal collections, and learning from experienced designers in the heart of Derbyshire.

What You'll Do:

Working closely with our Head of Design and the wider team, you’ll be involved in every stage of the creative process, from concept to production. You’ll:

• Support the creation of garment specifications, CAD drawings, and design documentation
• Assist in developing seasonal collections including mood boards, colour palettes, and swatches
• Help prepare and measure samples, attend fit sessions, and record design amendments
• Liaise with internal teams to track samples and follow up on deadlines to keep projects on schedule
• Contribute to sustainability and innovation projects supporting process improvements and waste reduction
• Prepare presentation materials for photoshoots, product launches, and customer meetings
• Maintain organised sample archives and departmental stock, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes
• Able to commute 5 days a week to our Mill in Matlock, DE4

Who You Are:

• A strong team player with excellent communication skills
• Organised and proactive, able to manage multiple tasks and keep others on track when needed
• Curious, creative, and eager to learn from a fast-paced design environment
• Confident using IT tools including Microsoft Outlook and Teams
• Passionate about fashion, design, knitwear and sustainability
• Currently studying a Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, or Textile Design degree (knitwear specialism desirable)

Skills You'll Need:

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for technical CAD drawings
• Competent in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
• Familiarity with Shima APEX design software

Why John Smedley?

• Be part of a globally recognised British heritage brand
• Gain hands‑on experience working on real design projects
• Work in a collaborative, supportive, and creative environment
• Access to wellbeing programmes and our in‑house Culture Club activities
• Discounts on hundreds of retail, travel, and leisure services

Ready to knit your future in design?

Apply now and take the first step in your creative journey with John Smedley.