Assistant Designer - Textiles (Bedding)

Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.

The Role
As our new Assistant Designer for Bedding, you’ll be the creative engine behind the sleep spaces our customers love. Your mission is to help translate global interior trends into commercial, high-quality bedding ranges that balance style with the comfort Next is known for.

At Next, we don’t just hand you a sketchbook and walk away. You’ll receive hands-on mentorship from industry experts and access to the latest CAD software and trend resources to sharpen your skills. We offer a structured induction and ongoing development to help you progress your career within our fast-paced Home Textiles team

Our Designers here at Next are always looking forward. Looking for that Next thing, focusing on trend and pushing the boundaries of what we can offer our fantastic customer base. Working as a key part of the critical path; creating new and innovative Print and Pattern Designs for our Bedding range!

What You’ll Take On

• Design Development: Support the design process by creating innovative bedding concepts, from initial artworks to final CADs, ensuring they align with the Next Home aesthetic.
• Trend Research: Monitor global catwalks, interior trade shows, and social trends to help identify the "next big thing" in colors, fabrics, and patterns.
• Range Building: Work alongside Buyers, Merchandisers & Technologists to build balanced, commercially viable ranges that meet both price points and quality standards.
• Sample Management: Take ownership of the sampling process, reviewing lab dips and strike-offs to ensure color accuracy and print quality.
• Collaboration: Liaise daily with overseas suppliers and internal teams to ensure design specifications are clear and production stays on track

What You’ll Bring

Relevant Experience: Previous experience working in a design role for a similar-sized high street retailer or a fast-paced supplier environment, giving you a solid understanding of high-volume production
Handwriting: Strong and varied Pattern handwriting is essential
Creative Flair: A strong passion for home interiors and an instinctive feel for color, pattern, and fabric composition.
Technical Skill: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and Illustrator) to produce high-quality CAD work and technical packs.
Commercial Awareness: An understanding of the Next customer and the ability to design products that are both aspirational and affordable.
Agility & Organisation: The ability to stay calm and organised in a high-energy environment, managing multiple deadlines without losing your attention to detail.
Communication: A proactive approach to teamwork, with the confidence to share your ideas and take on feedback

Portfolios
To help us get a feel for your style, please attach a digital portfolio. We’re looking for work that demonstrates a sharp eye for the future of Bedding and Home Textiles, how these can be commercially viable for Next, and showcase your designs and CAD work within this as well!

Note: Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.

Sponsorship

Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information, please see: .

We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.

#LI-Onsite

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Profit-related bonus - based on company performance
• Private health insurance- surgery choices
• Sharesave scheme - make savings from your net pay to buy NEXT shares at a discount
• Pension - fixed contribution rates from both an employer and employee perspective, but you're also able to make additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) if you wish to save more.
• 25% staff discount on most NEXT products - plus discount on other products
• Wagestream - helping you make the most out of your money
• Salary finance - offers access to affordable loans repaid through salary, simple savings and free financial education.
• Life assurance
• Direct to work - NEXT orders delivered free to the office for collection
• VIP sale - early access to the NEXT sale
• Access to NEXT staff shops
• Octopus energy - like cycle-to-work, but for electric vehicles
• Free parking (excluding London locations)
• Travel2NEXT - bus services dependent on location
• On site dining facilities (excluding London locations)
• National and local discounts on goods and services - this includes things like discounted cinema tickets
• Wellhub - includes access to discounted gym membership
• Simply health - a healthcare subscription service
• Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service - 7 Free services including Digital GP appointments and an annual health check.
• Onsite GP - Leicester Head Office
• Onsite Physio - Leicester Head Office
• A range of dedicated 3rd party wellbeing partners
• Free eye testing - voucher to use at specific locations

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email [email protected] (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.