Rapha
Colour Designer (12-Month Maternity Cover)
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Rapha launched in 2004 to redefine cycling apparel. Today progressive design and storytelling has built a global movement.
We love cycling in all its forms, from the city streets to the highest peaks. And we know its power to transform lives. Led by innovation, we embody this love through a dedication to the world's greatest sport, by setting a new standard in design and pushing the cutting edge of performance and human craft.
The Role
Colour is fundamental to Rapha's design language. As Colour Designer, you'll shape the seasonal colour direction across our product range, creating sophisticated palettes that define collections, elevate performance products and strengthen our premium design identity.
Working closely with the Creative Director, Design Director and cross-functional product teams, you'll translate creative vision into considered colour stories across apparel and accessories. From seasonal collections and special projects to collaborations and print direction, you'll play a key role in bringing Rapha's products to life.
You'll champion colour throughout the product creation process, ensuring every palette is thoughtfully developed and beautifully realised. This is an opportunity for a highly visual designer with exceptional colour sensitivity, strong technical expertise and a passion for creating products that stand apart in the performance cycling market.
Responsibilities
- Develop seasonal colour palettes and refined colourways across apparel, accessories and special projects, including seasonal collections, team kits, collaborations and limited editions.
- Collaborate with the Creative Director and Design Director to evolve Rapha's colour language, bringing a strong understanding of materiality and how colour interacts with fabrics, finishes and construction.
- Create colour stories that balance creative ambition with commercial and technical considerations.
- Partner with Colour & Trim Development, Product Engineering, Merchandising and Product Design to realise colour intent throughout development. This includes reviewing lab dips, strike-offs and prototypes, and finding thoughtful solutions that preserve the original design vision.
- Produce and maintain technical CADs, collection overviews and visual design documentation using Adobe Illustrator.
- Utilise trim and specialist finishes as key design elements to elevate products. Regularly visit trade shows to identify innovative materials and finishing techniques that bring colour and design concepts to life.
- Lead colour reviews throughout development, ensuring consistency across collections while meeting key seasonal milestones.
- Research emerging influences across fashion, performance sport, industrial design, architecture, art and culture to inform future seasonal direction.
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What You'll Bring
- 4+ years' experience in colour, apparel, product or graphic design within performance sport, fashion or a related creative industry.
- A degree in Design or a related discipline. Backgrounds in Apparel, Product, Industrial or Graphic Design are all welcome.
- Exceptional colour sensitivity with a deep understanding of colour theory, materiality and product application.
- Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Illustrator.
- Confident in presenting creative ideas through refined presentations and compelling visual storytelling.
- A naturally curious and ambitious design approach, drawing inspiration from fashion, performance sport, design, art, architecture and contemporary culture.
- A collaborative mindset, enjoying the development of ideas alongside fellow designers and cross-functional partners while embracing feedback as an essential part of the creative process.
- A meticulous eye for detail, from garment colour balance to trim finishes, stitching and branding.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to balance multiple projects and seasonal deadlines while consistently delivering to a high standard.
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Working at Rapha
We are continuously looking into ways to invest in our employees and build a better working culture and environment. Here are just some of the internal benefits we offer:
- Flexible working hours
- Support for ad-hoc remote working during the week - minimum 4 days in office
- 25 days annual leave
- 2 additional days paid time off to participate in a sportive or similar related cycling event
- A flexible riding benefit to allow you to go out riding on a Wednesday morning with colleagues or learn to cycle through our Getting Started Scheme
- An annual clothing allowance of £1,200 for testing and promotional purpose
- A company bonus scheme
- A health cash plan provided by Healthshield worth up to £1405 per year
- Mental health support with MyndUp
- Free barista coffee and social drinks in the office
- Monthly department social events and quarterly office social away days
- Bike racing expenses up to £35 per race entry
- A 50% staff discount and a discount for family and friends
- Industry discounts on brands such as Patagonia, Osprey, Finisterre, Wahoo
- Free membership to the Rapha Cycling Club
- Cycle2Work scheme
- Company Pension Scheme
- Enhanced Parental Leave and Pay
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