Role: Design Assistant

Reports into: Senior Designer
Contract Type: Full Time, working 7.5 hours per day, 5 days per week

Location: Hybrid, working 3 days a week in our offices based in Old Street, London

About Us

Nothing is clearer to us than the belief that every woman should include strength training in her life to enhance both physical and mental well-being. It's about building strong bodies and even stronger minds, asserting their right to take up space in the gym, and allowing the spotlight to shine bright on their progress.

To us, strength training represents a determined, goal-oriented mindset and an unwavering work ethic. We don't wait for success; we create it through hard work and determination. When faced with challenges, we don't back down; instead, we break through barriers, recognising that true progress lies on the other side.

These are the pillars that form the foundation of Oner Active. We consistently challenge ourselves to create innovative and impactful products, so that you can perform better. With our range of products and innovative approach, we provide a wide variety of colours to ensure that all skin tones genuinely radiate in Oner.

Our Purpose and Mission

We are on a mission to unite and empower women to be the strongest version of themselves through strength training. We want to inspire women to take centre stage in the gym by promoting strength training, which underpins all movement and sport, as a healthy foundation in life.

Our Benefits

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays and work from anywhere up to 4 weeks a year

• 5% employer match salary sacrifice pension scheme

• Generous Oner Active discount plus regular office sample sales

• Free Evolve You subscription

• Private Healthcare with Vitality including optical and dental

• Monthly wellness allowance and team workout classes

• Start-up culture - the chance to learn and make a real impact

• Great employee events like our Summer party, Christmas party and team away days

• Healthy office snacks and fruit (plus a chocolate cupboard for a sweet treat for the balance)

• Dog friendly office

Our Design Team:

The Design team brings our brand vision to life through innovative and trend-led collections that connect with our community. From sketching concepts to sourcing fabrics and refining details, we create products that are both functional and fashion-forward. We work closely with Buying, Garment Tech, and Merchandising to ensure every design not only looks incredible but is achievable within timelines, delivering collections that inspire and perform season after season.

You’ll be responsible for:

Design Development & Support:

• Assisting mood boards, sketches, CAD drawings, and technical packs

• Assisting across entire collection development; contributing ideas and concepts for seasonal collections including but not limited to general research, colour palettes, themes, and product direction across both performance and lifestyle categories.

• Researching fabrics, trims, colours, and construction techniques to bring new ideas to the table, with the guidance of a senior designer

• Select fabrics and components that are suitable for product collections and relevant for market with the guidance of a senior designer

• Create design presentations and support the preparation of product presentations and reviews.
  
  

Trend Research & Insights:

• Research and identify trends in fashion, fitness, and culture to inform design decisions and inspire innovative product solutions, with the guidance of a senior designer

• Support comp shopping, trade fair visits, and market analysis.

• Gathering inspiration to support the creative vision of upcoming collections.

• Create compelling trend research and act as the design voice when working with Buying, Merchandising, and Commercial leadership.

• Anticipate the needs of the Oner Active customer to deliver product ranges that reflect customer demand

Product Development & Collaboration:

• Assisting and ownership in the creation of technical specifications including Tech Packs and Bill of Materials (BOM’s) requiring knowledge of relevant fabrics and compositions, trim details, construction methods and design details, with the guidance of a senior designer

• Participating in garment fittings, taking notes and assisting with any necessary adjustments to ensure all garments meet high quality design and fit expectations, with the guidance of a senior designer

• Cross collaboration - working closely with design, garment tech and sourcing to ensure accurate execution of product across all collections.

• Continuous learning and development to stay abreast of industry developments and emerging technologies across lifestyle and performance sportswear design, with the guidance of a senior designer

• Maintain organised records of all design work, including overviews and accurately updated design files and technical packs.

• Maintain archiving and filing of key design attributes including trim samples, graphic ideas and strike offs, and branding approvals.

• Collaboration with buying on lab dips and the actioning of all strike offs including graphics, trims, branding and design trials, with the guidance of a senior designer

You’ll need to have:

• A minimum of 1-2 years experience in a design assistant/assistant designer role preferably within an activewear brand.

• High proficiency in Illustrator.

• Competency in CAD design and technical drawing is essential.

• Good knowledge of technical processes including garment construction and pattern making.

• Good awareness of colour, fabrication, trim and design details.

• Strong understanding of the lifestyle and activewear market, with a creative desire to contribute to developing products that set trends rather than follow.

• Strong interest and awareness of contemporary culture; someone with their finger firmly on the pulse is essential.

• Good commercial awareness, with the ability to identify key target consumers and an understanding of their tastes, lifestyles and needs.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.

• Passionate, enthusiastic, shows initiative.

• Excellent organisational and time management skills, attention to detail.

• Ability to work under pressure and able to prioritise and manage deadlines.

• Passion for the Oner Active brand and a desire to be part of its ongoing growth and success.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Oner Active it’s about embracing diversity and empowering every individual to reach their full potential. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and able to thrive.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are dedicated to ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunities during the recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support, we encourage you to reach out to our Recruitment team — we’re here to support you every step of the way.