Trainee Assistant Designer, FTC

Trainee Assistant Designer, 6 Month FTC

Department: Kidswear

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Head Office, Chelsea House

Reporting To: Farrah Leather

Our Design Team deliver stand-out, affordable fashion with the unique style and touches that underpin the River Island handwriting. As a Trainee Assistant Designer, you’ll provide general support to the Design team wherever needed, contributing to the successful delivery of the design process from concept to completion through the critical path.

• Creation of up to date mood, trend and fabric boards, company palette and trend books, effective management of these to support Design development discussions
• Conduct research projects and provide relevant and timely trend insights to inform Design development discussions
• Management of samples, including organisation of sample rooms and racking up for meetings
• Assisting with product design, customising, trimming and mocking up of samples, producing detailed design specification packs

• This is an entry level role, no previous work experience is required unless work experience used as a substitute for studies/qualification
• Qualifications or studies relevant to Design are essential
• Must be able to provide a portfolio of Design work

• Foundational Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills are essential
• Foundational Product Development skills
• Strong organisation skills
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Curiosity and capacity to learn
• Self-starter
• Action-oriented
• Adaptable
• Takes initiative
• Highly creative
• Passion for RI brand and customer

We’re a much-loved brand with an exciting future. Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together – and are proud of the work they do. Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions. This is what a career at River Island is like. And this is where yours starts.

This role is based at our Head Office in West London. Check us out here on a map.

• 💰 Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!
• 🛒 Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through Reward Gateway!
• 🎉 A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
• 🤎 Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
• 💻 Flexible working is a given, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
• 💕 Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
• 🎓 Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
• ☀️ 23 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!

At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. We will fulfil our obligation under the Prevent duty which seeks to stop extremism and extremist views from materialising in our business. We promote and encourage the belief in British Values- including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

To find out more, please visit

Our Island is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise. To find out more about this interview process, check out our hiring process below.