We're looking for a creative, technically confident Designer - Kidswear who can bring fresh ideas, trend awareness and strong graphic capability to our global design crew. This role is perfect for a designer who thrives on balancing creativity with commerciality, enjoys hands‑on collaboration, and wants to help build product that kids love and parents trust.
The ChallengeYour main purpose is to create standout graphic artwork and build it into complete kids' styles — ensuring Rip Curl remains a leader in surf fashion. Your designs will play a key role in strengthening customer perception of the brand and driving ongoing sales growth.
What You'll Be Doing
Range Planning
Understand seasonal sales targets for your categories and design with commercial outcomes in mind.
Ensure product is trend‑relevant for our customer while generating the required volume and revenue.
Work closely with Product Developers to monitor margins and highlight any costing challenges early.
Collaborate with the Head of Design to understand expectations for each range and implement design briefs effectively.
Develop cohesive stories and themes across ranges by working closely with the wider design team.
Participate in range planning and architecture meetings.
Design & Product Development
Design across multiple categories including Dresses, Shirts, Skirts, Walk Shorts, Rash Vests, Swim, Boardshorts, Jackets, Pants, Sweaters, Fleece, Tees and Graphics.
Complete yardage and graphic design briefs as set by the design crew.
Undertake deep trend research across relevant categories and present insights when required.
Complete seasonal specifications from concept through to production in alignment with Product Manager briefs and Head of Design direction.
Manage garment fittings, strike-off approvals and colour‑by‑fabric reviews — ensuring all prototypes reflect your design intent and meet Rip Curl quality standards.
Collaborate with the design team to ensure timely handover of graphics, fabrics, trims and yardages for production.
Produce high‑quality 4‑way repeating yardages with accurate colour and layer breakdowns.
Use Illustrator, Photoshop and Mac‑based design programs confidently.
Work closely within a complete apparel and accessories team to ensure graphic consistency.
Continuously seek new ideas, technologies, fabrications and global innovation — and share this knowledge with the Design Team.
Liaise with factories and suppliers to understand capabilities, opportunities and limitations.
Understanding the Customer
Study all available sales and sell‑through data to inform design decisions.
Build a deep understanding of the Rip Curl Kids customer — who she is, what she needs, where she shops and what keeps her loyal to the brand.
Relationships & Communication
Be a strong, positive contributor to the department, modelling great communication and teamwork.
Build excellent relationships with Sales, Retail, Product Development, Marketing and the Men's Design team.
Identify and suggest process improvements relating to communication, design workflow, timelines and administrative tasks.
What You Bring
Tertiary qualification in Design (or related field).
Advanced skills in Adobe Illustrator and strong competency in Photoshop.
A collaborative, team‑oriented approach.
Flexibility and adaptability in a fast‑moving design environment.
Understanding of production processes, constraints and garment construction.
Availability to travel interstate and internationally when required.
Curiosity, initiative and a genuine passion for surf and youth fashion.