Product Designer – Preschool
Overview
Talento has partnered with a Global Toy Company seeking a Preschool Product Designer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This will be a 4 month contract position and will be hybrid, 4 days onsite, in their Fort Lauderdale office.
Responsibilities
- Instrumental in generating new toy concepts and designing new play experiences for new and/or existing brands and product lines
- Deliver end-to-end product design, including research, concepts, prototypes, and user testing
- Champion great design in our high-quality products and help assure they are within target cost and QA/QC requirements
- Create systems of play centered around compatibility, usability, and superior play experiences
- Builds consensus between members throughout the design process
- Work collaboratively with your branding, product management, engineering, packaging, licensor, and other internal team partners to create a product that is the best fit for the brand and meets licensor requirements
- Attended brand and licensing meetings and brainstorming to obtain enough information for product design
- Successfully present and communicate concepts to the brand, development, management, and licensor teams
- Ensure delivery of precise, clear, and complete product turnover specifications and ensure they are fully understood by the international team/factory
- Work with outside vendors
- Support the overall strategic goals of the product, and provide direction and feedback during the development process that is attentive to licensor and for brand assurance
- Responsible for completing, reviewing, and documenting specification changes, submitting for licensor approval, and providing comments for illustrative turns, sculpts, paint masters, and sample reviews
- Work closely with brand/management teams to resolve development issues while assuring designs meet the target cost, schedule, and brand standards
- Participate in the entire life cycle of project development from a concept through initial ideation, refinement, prototype execution, and turn over packages to development teams
- Champian high-quality designs and products that are within target cost and QA/QC requirements
- Collaborate with packaging design team to assure product and packaging are aligned
- Perform other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Toy Design, Industrial Design, Industrial Engineering, or a related field preferred
- 3+ years of relevant product design experience, ideally focused on children’s or plush products
- At least 1 year of experience collaborating with global manufacturing partners (Asia preferred)
- Proven knowledge of plush materials and a strong understanding of various manufacturing processes
- Experience working with licensed brands and navigating brand guidelines
- Deep understanding of current trends, innovations, and the competitive landscape within the toy industry
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) or equivalent design tools
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
- Strong skills in concept sketching, control drawings, and rendering presentation-ready illustrations
- Experience with 3D modeling, sculpting, and rendering software (ZBrush, Rhino, Fusion 360) is a plus
- Excellent visual, verbal, and written communication skills
- Strong project management, organization, and time management abilities—able to handle multiple projects and meet tight deadlines
- Collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally across departments, as well as independently
- Effective problem-solver and critical thinker, proactive in identifying and resolving challenges
- Detail-oriented with a strong design sense and well-developed aesthetic judgment
- Flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Passion for learning, personal growth, and staying current with industry innovations
- Comfortable interacting professionally with individuals at all levels across the organization
Hourly Pay Rate (Commensurate with Experience): $35-40/hr
About Talento Human Capital (TalentoHC):
TalentoHC is a leading talent acquisition, executive search, and human capital consulting partner, dedicated to helping our clients build their best teams yet. Our success is driven by our unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce, embracing individuals from various backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Talento Human Capital is an equal opportunity employer.
People + Passion + Perseverance = Progress.
