Freelance Senior Soft Goods Product Design Consultant

Freelance Senior Soft Goods Designer About Original Duckhead Original Duckhead is a London-based, B Corp-certified design brand, best known for our distinctive premium umbrellas. We believe products for changing weather can be functional, sustainable and genuinely joyful to use. As we expand beyond umbrellas, we're building a carefully considered collection of weather-related products with strong design, technical performance and a recognisable point of view. We're looking for an experienced freelance Senior Soft Goods Designer to work closely with our founder and help shape the next generation of Original Duckhead products. The Role We're looking for someone with deep expertise in soft goods and technical sewn products who can take an idea from early concept through to a beautifully resolved, manufacturable product. This isn't about applying our prints to generic products. We want to create products where the construction, materials, functionality and details are as considered as the visual design. You'll join the process early. Sometimes we'll have a product idea. Sometimes we'll have a problem or a customer need that we want to explore. We're looking for someone who can challenge our thinking, develop the concept and find smart, original solutions. Potential categories include bags and carry systems, travel accessories, waterproof products, outdoor accessories and other products designed around changing weather. What You'll Do Collaborate directly with the founder on new product concepts Develop early ideas into distinctive, functional product designs Design construction, functionality and product detailing Recommend appropriate fabrics, materials, trims and hardware Create technical drawings and production-ready tech packs Review samples and prototypes and lead design iterations Advise on durability, usability and product performance Provide technical input to manufacturers throughout development Help us establish a coherent design language across future Original Duckhead products About You You'll have strong experience designing premium soft goods, ideally across areas such as: Bags and carry systems Travel accessories Outdoor products Technical textile products Performance or waterproof fabrics Sewn product construction You understand how products are actually made and can balance creativity with manufacturability. You care about the details: how something folds, fastens, packs, carries, stores and feels in someone's hands. You're comfortable challenging a brief when you see a better solution and enjoy collaborating at the earliest stages of product development rather than simply executing a finished concept. Experience designing umbrellas isn't required. The Opportunity We're at an exciting point in the evolution of Original Duckhead. Our ambition is to build a distinctive product universe around changing weather, with umbrellas remaining at the heart of the brand. We're looking for someone who can help us develop the product design language that supports that ambition. This could become a long-term freelance relationship as our product range grows. Location & Engagement Freelance, part-time and project-based. Remote, with UK or Europe preferred. Occasional collaboration at our London studio would be valuable at key stages of product development and sample review.

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