Melanie Designer - Kids

As the boyswear senior designer, my day is a mix of staying on top of the numbers and diving into the creative side of things. I usually start by checking out sales figures with my buying and merch teams. It's important I understand what's working and what’s not, so I and the team make sure we're on track and if we see anything that could a sales risk adjust where needed.

I spend a lot of my time in meetings, both with my design team and other parts of the company. These could be anything from reviewing early design concepts, to giving feedback on development samples, or making sure we’re sticking to deadlines. It’s all about keeping everyone aligned and making sure we’re moving forward in the right direction for the customer.

Talking to suppliers is another big part of my day. Whether it's discussing fabric, new styles, new concepts I’m always chatting with them to make sure we’ve got everything we need for our upcoming ranges. I also keep an eye on international trends and fabrics, so I can make sure we’re ahead of the curve for next year. I’m always looking for ways to keep our designs fresh and exciting.

I spend time researching new design trends, attending events, and just staying up to date on what’s happening in the design world. It’s all about keeping an eye on what will be popular in the coming year so we can start planning ahead.

Even though a lot of my day is spent managing the practical side of things, I always make sure there’s time to be creative. I work closely with my team to brainstorm ideas, review mood boards, looking at catwalks and trend webites. It's about finding that balance between making sure everything is on track and keeping the creative energy flowing.

So, a typical day involves a lot of juggling, making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes while also guiding the creative process to make sure we’re creating styles that’s both fresh and on point with that our customer want and needs.

One of my favorite parts of the job is definitely the travel. I get to visit some incredible places, and it’s amazing to see firsthand how inspiration comes to life in different parts of the world. Whether I’m checking out the latest trends in shops in various cities or street style in different cultures, there’s always something new to learn and get inspired by.

Another part I really enjoy is the supplier development side of things. I’ve had the chance to visit places like Bangladesh, India Sri Lanka and Turkey, where I meet the people who take our designs and turn them into actual clothing. It’s so interesting to see the entire production process up close, from the factories to the final product. Getting that behind the scenes look, and being able to collaborate on new ideas, really makes me appreciate the hard work that goes into making our designs a reality. It’s rewarding to know that we’re not just creating designs, but also contributing to the development of the industries in these places.

If you're looking to get into design, my biggest piece of advice is to SHOW YOU PASSION, stay curious and always be open to new ideas. The design world is constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay on top of trends, new materials, and fresh ways of thinking. This may sound daunting but the world is at our fingertips, sights like Instagram and TikTok influence fashion and staying onto of this is a part of the job.

Never stop learning—whether it's through formal education, online resources, or simply staying inspired by what’s happening around you. Design is all about constant growth and exploration.

And most importantly, be patient with yourself. It takes time to develop your skills and build your confidence as a designer, so keep working at it, embrace challenges, and stay true to your creative vision.

I would definitely recommend a career at Asda because it’s a place where I can truly be myself. The culture here is fantastic, the people are amazing, and there’s a real sense of teamwork and support. You feel encouraged to bring your whole self to work, and that makes a big difference in terms of creativity and job satisfaction.

Another huge plus is the opportunities to learn and grow. There’s always something new to pick up, whether it’s through formal training or just by being surrounded by talented people. The chance to move forward and progress in your career is very real here, and Asda really invests in helping its people develop. Whether that’s getting external specialist in to help us learn new software hacks such as AI which is moving fast in design at the moment. To Fabric training or help on other skills such as presenting.