DESIGN ASSISTANT
Full Time | 12 Month Placement
£24,761 Per Annum
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 moodboards, 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:
Essential:
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for technical CAD drawings
- Competent in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
Desirable:
- 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.