Job Description

Overall Purpose of the Role:

Enhance and grow the EMEA business through outstanding trend and consumer-right, commercial creative solutions, keeping our character equity and storytelling front of mind, helping to build the CPGP business and increase visibility overall of the wider Disney brand. Design, against a set brief, leading standards of trend right creative development primarily for specific category and demographic as required including design and development of graphic assets and design tools for use across all categories within CPGP.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Working with the Product Design and Development Manager/Lead Designer, develop creative assets that will enable growth for relevant Disney franchises from conception through to artwork development and distribution including but not limited to trend research, initial concepts through to final art worked style guides, patterns/borders, graphic/identity, icons, placement designs, imagery, compelling product visuals, copywriting, new product development pitches to new partners and dedicated core category toolkits
• Work closely with other consumer segment and product design teams to ensure creative alignment and support on wider projects as required
• Ensure all assets are creatively and technically correct before approval by Design Manager/Lead Designer, Product Design and Development Director, and other key stakeholders
• Contribute to developing trend boards and new ideas (ideation) that can add innovation and freshness into future projects, with a view to building on existing strategies
• Maintain full compliance with corporate guidelines, delivering a commitment to producing work, which ensures character and design consistency and integrity
• Build effective relationships among the wider creative community, maximising their specialist knowledge in order to create relevant designs that push the boundaries
• As required, attend trade shows to broaden understanding of the EMEA market place seeking out ideas and new creative solutions in order to understand the business better
• Contribute to creative brainstorming sessions with the internal or external teams
• Provide relevant creative support, e.g. downloading, backing up, archiving, creating digital presentations as required
• Work closely with product teams, designers and artists to ensure character and franchise integrity are maintained and design and art styles work are synchronised
• Work closely with Product Design and Development Manager/Lead Designer to ensure projects are planned effectively to meet deadlines on time and keep within budgets
• Ensure that the agreed projects are successfully executed within budget and on time

Training and Professional Development:

• Operate with integrity, champion change and be a good ambassador for the Walt Disney Company
• Operate as part of an effective and inclusive team by demonstrating an awareness of others; welcoming and valuing unique perspectives and ideas; offering support, sharing knowledge and best practices in order to contribute to overall departmental commitments
• Take ownership of your professional development through regular career conversations with your line manager and utilising available resources such as D Learn, instructor-led courses and on the job learning
• Proactively suggest ways to improve departmental performance and processes, leveraging technological tools where applicable
• Build links with other TWDC functions to develop broader knowledge of the business
• Promote and maintain an inclusive workplace, championing diversity and inclusion and make use of available resources to extend knowledge and best practice

Areas of Accountability:

• Accountable to Product Design and Development Manager/Lead Designer, Product Design and Development Director, and VP, Regional Merchandising and Product Design EMEA
• Accountable for compliance with corporate guidelines ensuring character and design consistency and integrity
• Accountable for cultivating and maintaining productive relationships and collaborating across departments internally and externally
• Accountable for contributing to the success of the team

Experience and Professional Qualifications Required:

• BA Hons (or similar) in a relevant discipline, e.g. product/fashion/print design/graphic design
• Proven commercial design experience in relevant categories or product design role at a licensee, retail head office or supplier
• Experience in retail or manufacturing design practise and able to understand how buyers plan ranges, the commercial applications of product development and graphic design
• Experience of designing programs for licensed products, beneficial

Skills Required:

• Ability to create both core design solutions as well as new interpretive and trend-right styles
• An awareness of marketplace trends in the design and retail environment with the ability to translate new concepts into marketable, saleable products
• An ability to understand and apply colour theory and usage
• Highly skilled in Illustrator, Photoshop and other creative suite packages
• Good understanding of all elements of design: illustration, pattern, page layout, colour, product design, trends with the ability to create new graphic design assets from scratch
• Ability to work as a team or individually to achieve goals
• An understanding of Disney characters and Disney storytelling and how it translates to product
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to work under pressure and prioritise workload
• Ability to communicate design ideas using freehand drawing, computer techniques and/or third party design resources to both internal and external stakeholders
• Strong written and spoken English for business use, essential; professional level of proficiency in other European language, beneficial
• Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA

Additional Information:

• Flexibility for UK and European travel may be required
• Contribution to ad-hoc projects as the business requires
• Flexible hours may be required to meet business needs

About Consumer Products Games & Publishing:

The Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment includes Disney\xe2\x80\x99s iconic travel and leisure businesses, which include six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia, a top-rated cruise line, a popular vacation ownership program, and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Disney\xe2\x80\x99s global consumer products operations include the world\xe2\x80\x99s leading licensing business across toys, apparel, home goods, digital games and apps; the world\xe2\x80\x99s largest children\xe2\x80\x99s publisher; Disney store locations around the world; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, Disney Parks, and Experiences and Products. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney\xe2\x80\x99s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with The Walt Disney Company Limited, which is part of a business we call Consumer Products Games & Publishing.

The Walt Disney Company Limited is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

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