SMU Footwear Colour Designer

Be part of a movement that moves the world

At ASICS, we’re more than just a brand; we're a movement. A movement of movement, propelled by the belief that motion strengthens the body and uplifts the mind. Our name itself, an acronym for "Anima Sana in Corpore Sano" (a Sound Mind in a Sound Body), encapsulates this commitment.

If you're inspired to move yourself and the world toward a brighter future, we're looking for you.

Your role in our shared journey

You will join the European Creation Hub, a team that is actively being built. Working closely with our lead footwear designer, footwear colour coordinator, and development partners, you will lead colour and material design for our most strategic key accounts. You will translate account briefs, brand strategy, and market insight into commercially compelling footwear colour and material concepts that win on shelf and resonate with consumers.

This is not a role for someone who wants to follow an established playbook. The team is lean, the momentum is real, and the right person will help shape what world-class SMU colour design looks like at ASICS Europe. With genuine creative latitude within briefs, direct exposure to major key account buyers, and a clear path to becoming the dedicated designer for a strategic account as those relationships deepen, this is a rare opportunity for a commercially minded colour designer who is ready to make their mark from day one.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Lead colour and material design for key accounts, translating account briefs, brand strategy, and Sportstyle category direction into commercially compelling, on-brand footwear colour and material concepts.
• Manage multiple concurrent key account design projects with structure and discipline: maintaining organised file systems (including SMU VLP documentation), meeting deadlines, and keeping all stakeholders clearly informed throughout.
• Collaborate daily with merchandising, product management, and the development team at ASICS HQ, ensuring creative intent is faithfully carried through into final product across colour, materials, and construction.
• Review physical samples against design specifications, prepare clear improvement recommendations, and ensure all product meets quality expectations before client presentation.
• Communicate directly with key account buyers and their teams during design sessions, presenting colour and material concepts with clarity and confidence and incorporating feedback effectively.
• Conduct trend and market research to identify colour and material directions that can inform both key account briefs and the team’s broader creative development work.
• Support the team’s ambition to introduce 3D and digital visualisation into the key account process as an alternative to physical samples, contributing to this transition as the business and tools evolve.
• Contribute actively to shaping the ways of working and culture of a young, growing team, bringing your experience, ideas, and energy to a department that is still writing its playbook.

You have the following skills and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Footwear Design, Industrial Design or a related creative field.
• 3+ years of seasonal colour execution experience with a strong footwear-specific colour design portfolio.
• Deep knowledge of colour theory and footwear material application.
• Commercially oriented, confident working within brand guidelines, client briefs, and key account requirements; able to receive and act on feedback from multiple stakeholders without losing creative quality.
• Highly organised, able to manage a fast-paced, multi-account design workload with structure, clear file management, and consistent follow-through; this is as critical as the creative craft.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and relevant design software; comfortable working across digital and physical design processes.
• Experienced cross-functional collaborator; able to work effectively with merchandising, product management, development, and external key account contacts daily.
• Able to work independently at a senior individual contributor level while adapting to a young team’s evolving processes and ways of working.
• Fluent command of written and spoken English.

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience with 3D or AI visualisation tools (e.g. Keyshot, CLO, or similar).
• Prior key account or B2B commercial design experience.
• Freelance background or experience adapting to feedback from diverse external clients.

Life at ASICS

When you join ASICS, you become part of something special. Here, your voice matters, your growth and wellbeing are important.

Our commitment to your wellbeing

• Access to office gym and sports membership discount.
• Exclusive 50% discount on ASICS and ONITSUKA TIGER gear.
• Unlimited access to the Calm app for better sleep and mental fitness.
• Complimentary premium subscription to our Runkeeper Go™ app.
• A comprehensive wellness programme consisting of exercise and educational sessions.
• Professional support and meditation classes are available through OpenUp Access.
• Working abroad for four weeks every year.
• Hybrid working model. Combine the flexibility of working from home with the dynamic energy of an office environment.