Design Roles
Design roles at Kyndof translate strategy and customer insights into tangible products and communications. These roles balance creative vision with practical constraints, technical expertise with aesthetic judgment, and brand consistency with innovation.
Why Design Roles Matter
Design is how Kyndof's brand becomes real for customers. Without strong design:
- Products lack coherent aesthetic identity
- Brand messaging feels generic or inconsistent
- Customer experiences become forgettable
- Strategic positioning doesn't translate into tangible differentiation
Design roles ensure every customer touchpoint—from garments to graphics to digital interfaces—expresses Kyndof's brand in compelling, consistent ways.
Design at Kyndof: Two Approaches
Kyndof splits design work across two creative teams, each with a distinct philosophy:
2000Archives: Core product lines with archival aesthetic
- Focus on brand heritage and consistency
- Larger production runs and established product categories
- Design iteration within proven frameworks
2000Atelier: Experimental, craft-intensive projects
- Focus on innovation and creative exploration
- Limited runs, special editions, collaborations
- Design freedom for prototyping and testing new directions
Both teams share design expertise and maintain brand consistency, but they approach projects differently. Archives ensures brand stability; Atelier pushes creative boundaries.
Core Design Roles
Fashion Designer
Teams: 2000Archives, 2000Atelier Reports to: Brand Lead (Archives) or CMO (Atelier)
Fashion designers create the garments, collections, and product lines that customers wear. They translate brand strategy into physical clothing that balances aesthetics, function, wearability, and production feasibility.
Core Responsibilities:
- Design seasonal collections or product lines
- Develop sketches, tech packs, and design specifications
- Select fabrics, colors, and materials
- Collaborate with pattern makers to ensure designs are producible
- Refine designs based on sample reviews and fit sessions
- Maintain brand aesthetic consistency across collections
Key Activities:
- Sketching and conceptual design
- Fabric sourcing and material selection
- Fit sessions and prototype reviews
- Design specification documentation
- Collaboration with production teams
When to reach out to Fashion Designer:
- New garment concepts or product ideas
- Design questions for upcoming collections
- Feedback on design aesthetics or brand alignment
- Collaboration on creative campaigns featuring products
RABSIC Context:
- Responsible for: Design execution, creating collections
- Consulted on: Brand aesthetic decisions, product strategy, marketing creative direction
- Support for: Production teams (design specs and guidance)
Skills & Expertise:
- Garment construction and fashion design principles
- Fabric knowledge and material sourcing
- Trend analysis and market awareness
- Technical design and specification documentation
- Sketching and digital design tools (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, CLO3D)
Related Roles:
- Pattern Maker (translates designs into producible patterns)
- Creative Director (sets overall design vision)
- Product Developer (ensures designs meet market and production needs)
Career Path:
- Fashion Design Intern → Fashion Designer → Senior Designer → Design Lead → Creative Director
Pattern Maker
Teams: 2000Archives, 2000Atelier Reports to: Production Manager or Brand Lead
Pattern makers translate fashion designs into technical patterns that can be manufactured consistently. They bridge the gap between creative vision (designers) and physical production (manufacturers).
Core Responsibilities:
- Create patterns from designer sketches and specifications
- Develop graded patterns for different sizes
- Ensure patterns meet production constraints (fabric usage, seam allowances, etc.)
- Collaborate with designers on fit and construction feasibility
- Test patterns through sample production
- Refine patterns based on fit sessions and quality feedback
Key Activities:
- Pattern drafting (manual or digital)
- Grading patterns for size ranges
- Fit sample creation and adjustment
- Technical consultation with designers
- Production-ready pattern documentation
When to reach out to Pattern Maker:
- Questions about garment construction feasibility
- Fit issues or pattern adjustments
- Technical production questions
- Cost optimization through pattern efficiency
RABSIC Context:
- Responsible for: Pattern creation and technical feasibility
- Consulted on: Design construction decisions, production planning
- Support for: Designers (technical feasibility feedback), Production (pattern specifications)
Skills & Expertise:
- Garment construction and sewing techniques
- Pattern drafting (manual and CAD)
- Grading and fit adjustment
- Fabric behavior and drape understanding
- Technical specification documentation
Related Roles:
- Fashion Designer (provides design concepts to be patterned)
- Sample Maker (produces physical samples from patterns)
- Production Manager (coordinates pattern implementation in production)
Career Path:
- Pattern Making Assistant → Pattern Maker → Senior Pattern Maker → Master Pattern Maker
Sample Maker
Teams: 2000Archives, 2000Atelier (more prevalent in Atelier) Reports to: Production Manager or Brand Lead
Sample makers produce physical prototypes from patterns and designs. They're skilled sewers and garment technicians who turn patterns into tangible garments for fit testing, photo shoots, and production approval.
Core Responsibilities:
- Construct physical samples from patterns
- Execute complex sewing and finishing techniques
- Identify construction issues during sample production
- Collaborate with designers and pattern makers on fit and construction
- Produce samples for multiple purposes (fit, photo, production reference)
- Ensure samples reflect final production quality standards
Key Activities:
- Sewing and garment construction
- Technical assembly of complex designs
- Sample finishing and quality checks
- Fit session preparation
- Documentation of construction processes
When to reach out to Sample Maker:
- Sample production requests
- Questions about construction feasibility or techniques
- Fit sample preparation for design reviews
- Prototype production for new designs
RABSIC Context:
- Responsible for: Sample construction and prototype production
- Support for: Designers and pattern makers (feasibility feedback), Production (construction guidance)
Skills & Expertise:
- Advanced sewing and garment construction
- Industrial sewing machine operation
- Technical finishing techniques
- Quality standards and attention to detail
- Construction problem-solving
Related Roles:
- Pattern Maker (provides patterns for sample production)
- Fashion Designer (reviews samples and provides feedback)
- Production Manager (uses samples as production references)
Career Path:
- Sewing Assistant → Sample Maker → Senior Sample Maker → Master Craftsperson
Graphics Designer
Teams: Brand Ops, 2000Archives, 2000Atelier Reports to: CMO (Brand Ops) or Brand Lead/CMO (creative teams)
Graphics designers create visual communications—logos, packaging, marketing materials, social media graphics, and brand identity elements. They ensure Kyndof's visual language is consistent and compelling across all touchpoints.
Core Responsibilities:
- Design graphics for marketing campaigns and communications
- Develop packaging and labeling designs
- Create social media content and digital graphics
- Maintain and evolve brand visual identity (logos, typography, color systems)
- Collaborate with marketing and product teams on visual storytelling
- Ensure brand consistency across all visual touchpoints
Key Activities:
- Graphic design for digital and print
- Logo and brand identity development
- Packaging and labeling design
- Social media content creation
- Visual design system maintenance
When to reach out to Graphics Designer:
- Marketing campaign creative needs
- Packaging or labeling design
- Social media graphics requests
- Brand visual identity questions
- Design assets for launches or events
RABSIC Context:
- Responsible for: Visual design execution, graphic asset creation
- Consulted on: Brand identity decisions, marketing creative direction
- Support for: Marketing teams (visual content), Product teams (packaging and labels)
Skills & Expertise:
- Graphic design principles (layout, typography, color theory)
- Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
- Brand identity and visual systems
- Digital and print production
- Design trends and aesthetics
Related Roles:
- Fashion Designer (collaborates on brand aesthetic)
- Marketing Manager (requests graphics for campaigns)
- Creative Director (sets overall visual direction)
Career Path:
- Junior Designer → Graphics Designer → Senior Designer → Art Director → Creative Director
Creative Director
Teams: Brand Ops (or cross-team role) Reports to: CMO or CEO
The Creative Director sets the overall creative vision for Kyndof—ensuring all design output (fashion, graphics, communications) aligns with brand strategy and maintains high aesthetic standards.
Core Responsibilities:
- Define creative vision and aesthetic direction
- Review and approve major design work (collections, campaigns, brand identity)
- Lead creative strategy for product launches and campaigns
- Mentor and guide design teams
- Ensure creative consistency across fashion and graphics
- Balance creative ambition with business constraints
Key Activities:
- Creative strategy development
- Design review and approval
- Team mentorship and creative leadership
- Cross-functional collaboration on brand initiatives
- Aesthetic trend analysis and direction-setting
When to reach out to Creative Director:
- Major creative decisions requiring leadership approval
- Design direction questions or conflicts
- Creative strategy for major initiatives
- Brand aesthetic evolution discussions
RABSIC Context:
- Accountable for: Creative output quality, brand aesthetic consistency
- Consulted on: Strategic decisions with creative implications
- Responsible for: Setting creative direction
Skills & Expertise:
- Comprehensive design expertise (fashion, graphics, communications)
- Creative strategy and vision-setting
- Team leadership and mentorship
- Business acumen and strategic thinking
- Strong aesthetic judgment
Related Roles:
- Fashion Designers and Graphics Designers (direct reports or collaborators)
- CMO (strategic alignment on brand)
- Product Developer (creative-commercial balance)
Career Path:
- Senior Designer → Design Lead → Creative Director → Chief Creative Officer
Design Process at Kyndof
Design work typically follows this flow:
- Concept: Strategy and inspiration → Creative brief
- Design: Sketching, exploration, design development
- Prototype: Pattern making, sample production, fit testing
- Refinement: Feedback, iteration, final approvals
- Production: Tech packs, production coordination
- Launch: Marketing creative, product photography, communications
Design roles plug into this flow at different points:
- Fashion Designers: Concept → Design → Refinement
- Pattern Makers: Design → Prototype
- Sample Makers: Prototype → Refinement
- Graphics Designers: Refinement → Launch
- Creative Director: Oversees all stages
Design and RABSIC
Design roles participate in RABSIC frameworks based on project scope:
Product Collections:
- Accountable: Creative Director or Brand Lead
- Responsible: Fashion Designer (lead designer)
- Support: Pattern Maker, Sample Maker
- Consulted: Product Developer, Marketing Manager
- Informed: Sales, Customer Support
Brand Visual Identity:
- Accountable: CMO or Creative Director
- Responsible: Graphics Designer (lead designer)
- Consulted: Fashion Designers (consistency), Marketing
- Informed: All teams
Working With Design Roles
Requesting Design Work
When requesting design work:
- Provide clear context: What's the project, who's it for, why does it matter?
- Define success criteria: What does "good" look like? What constraints exist (budget, timeline, brand guidelines)?
- Share inspiration: Show examples (even if they're not exactly what you want)
- Specify deliverables: What format, size, use cases do you need?
- Clarify approval process: Who reviews and approves? What's the timeline?
Design work involves iteration. Build in time for feedback cycles and refinement.
Giving Design Feedback
When reviewing design work:
- Be specific: "This doesn't work" is less helpful than "The colors feel too bright for our brand"
- Explain why: Help designers understand the problem, not just the symptom
- Separate preference from strategy: "I don't like blue" vs. "Blue doesn't align with our target audience's aesthetic preferences"
- Suggest, don't dictate: Designers know their craft—explain the problem and let them solve it
Designers balance many constraints (brand, function, production, cost, aesthetics). Trust their expertise while providing clear strategic guidance.
Design Challenges at Kyndof
Design roles navigate several ongoing tensions:
Creativity vs. Constraints: Pushing creative boundaries while meeting production, cost, and timeline realities
Brand Consistency vs. Innovation: Maintaining recognizable brand identity while evolving aesthetics
Archives vs. Atelier: Balancing stable core products (Archives) with experimental work (Atelier)
Speed vs. Quality: Delivering designs quickly enough for business needs without sacrificing craft quality
Commercial vs. Artistic: Creating designs that sell while maintaining artistic integrity
These tensions aren't problems to solve—they're creative challenges to navigate. Strong design roles balance them effectively.
Related:
- Operations Roles → - How designs become produced products
- Leadership Roles → - Creative leadership and decision-making
- By Function → - Design function across teams
- 2000Archives Team → - Archival design team
- 2000Atelier Team → - Experimental design team
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Last Updated: 2026-02-03