Kids wear Junior Designer Review

My role involved assisting head designers on the kids wear team to develop graphics, research, develop colour palettes and create prints and AOPs to use within children’s fashion. I was also in charge of creating TIK TOK trend reports monthly to feedback to the team as to what the current trends are within men’s and women’s fashion and how we can translate that into kids-wear.

Overall I’ve learnt so many new skills whilst on my industry placement! A few would be, learning more about illustrator, photoshop I already used these as uni but learnt so many new things about them which has helped me as an aspiring designer so much! I’ve learnt how to SPEC garments and mainly my confidence has grown so much since being at Matalan which will stick with me as I go into my final year of university!

My first 2 months at matalan I did an unpaid placement, I feel I was supported more during this time with learning how Matalan design and there own process, I was definitely an independent worker once briefed on tasks and towards then end of my first month I was given opportunities to design for the Matalan x NSPCC collab which was put into stores! I was then offered a junior designer job a couple days after I finish my 2 month placement! Starting back as a junior designer I was given lots more responsibility’s but never felt overwhelmed as I worked in such a lovely team who were always there to support and guide me!

Working with the kids wear team was such a pleasure! The women I worked with were so lovely! Each time I was briefed on a new task I was always given support and never felt I couldn’t ask for help. The guidance I received was amazing and truly allowed me to grow so much in my skills.

The company always keep you updated with trade meetings and any changes that will happen in the company so you always feel fully informed on everything! Everyone who I encountered at my time at Matalan were all friendly and very welcoming and helpful!

I loved my industry placement at Matalan! It was the best experience and I couldn’t have asked for a more positive introduction into the design industry. I have left Matalan with a new confidence and feel I have grown so much since being there! I feel exited to take everything I’ve learnt into my final year at uni!

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