Associate Designer - Concept

Role Overview

The Associate Designer, Concept will support the West Elm Product Development team in translating seasonal design direction, market trends, and business needs into compelling concept presentations and physical concept environments. This role will partner closely with Design, Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, Facilities, Sample Operations, and senior Product Development leadership to gather inspiration, build concept and presentation decks, and create visually merchandised concept and mockstore spaces that bring each season’s design and merchandising direction to life for business reviews.

This role requires being onsite in the Dumbo Brooklyn office.

Responsibilities  

• Work closely with Design, Merchandising, and Product Development leadership to understand seasonal creative priorities, business needs, and presentation objectives.

• Research and pull relevant inspiration across home, interiors, retail, art, color, material, lifestyle, and competitive trends to support seasonal concept development.

• Translate design direction and trend research into clear, compelling concept decks, mood boards, presentation boards, and visual storytelling materials.

• Create and maintain digital concept decks and presentation materials used in seasonal reviews, business reviews, and cross-functional alignment meetings.

• Partner with category Design teams across Furniture & Lighting, Decorative Accessories, Textiles, Functional Accessories, Tabletop, and other relevant categories to gather input and ensure concept work reflects the full seasonal assortment direction.

• Collaborate with Merchandising partners to understand product priorities, key stories, customer needs, and business objectives that should be represented in concept presentations and physical spaces.

• Set, style, and maintain concept and mockstore spaces to visually communicate seasonal design and merchandising direction for senior leadership and cross-functional business reviews.

• Partner with Visual Merchandising and store/mockstore teams to create displays, room sets, vignettes, and product presentations that are polished, West Elm brand-right, and aligned to seasonal storytelling.

• Coordinate the movement, placement, styling, and readiness of samples needed for concept spaces, presentation boards, mockstore sets, and seasonal reviews.

• Maintain organization of physical and digital inspiration, samples, boards, presentation assets, and concept materials to support efficient workflow and repeatable processes.

• Track timelines and deliverables for concept decks, room sets, mockstore updates, and review readiness to ensure key calendar milestones are met.

• Support senior Product Development leadership with special projects, seasonal presentations, and visual storytelling needs as assigned.

Criteria  

• MUST provide portfolio link, including password if applicable, on resume or submit PDF work samples with application.
• Degree in Interior Design, Product Design, Visual Merchandising, Styling, Fine Arts, or related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant design, styling, visual merchandising, concept development, or home furnishings experience preferred.
• Home furnishings, interiors, retail, or lifestyle brand experience strongly preferred.
• Experience creating concept decks, mood boards, presentation boards, room sets, vignettes, or visually merchandised spaces required.
• Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator; proficiency in PowerPoint/Keynote or similar presentation tools required.
• Strong visual eye for color, proportion, scale, styling, merchandising, materials, and seasonal storytelling.
• Ability to translate creative direction and business priorities into clear visual narratives for cross-functional and senior-level audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, physical samples, and presentation deadlines at one time.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, highly cross-functional environment.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to partner effectively with Design, Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, Facilities, Sample Operations, and senior leaders.
• Detail-oriented and comfortable working hands-on in physical spaces, including styling, moving, setting, organizing, and maintaining product presentations.
• Strong understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the West Elm brand and customer.
• This role requires being onsite to support concept rooms, mockstore spaces, sample coordination, and seasonal business review preparation
• This role requires being onsite in the Dumbo Brooklyn office.
• You...
  • Are passionate about design, interiors, styling, and visual storytelling.
  • Have a strong creative point of view and know how to make seasonal ideas feel clear, inspiring, and commercially relevant.
  • Enjoy working hands-on with product and spaces, not only behind a screen.
  • Are highly collaborative and comfortable bringing together input from multiple creative and business partners.
  • Pride yourself on polished execution, organization, and attention to detail.
  • Can balance creative exploration with calendar discipline and business review readiness.

Our Culture & Values 
We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success, and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing. 

People First 
Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available: 

Benefits 
- A generous discount on all WSI brands 
- A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities 
- Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer 
- Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits 
- Tax-free commuter benefits 
- A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health 

Continued Learning 
- In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University 
- Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities 
- Resources for self-development 
- Advisor (Mentor) program 
- Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series 

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration). 

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $75,000-$80,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.