Skills
Apparel/footwear CAD design
Print and pattern design
Textile, trim and embellishment design
Toy design (fashion dolls and plush)
Illustration in a variety of styles and mediums
Sketching and quick concept ideation
Graphics, typography and branding
Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and ProCreate
Product Life Management (PLM) system
Reviewing samples, strike offs and lab dips for color and quality
Experience
ASSOCIATE APPAREL DESIGNER, Johnston & Murphy
Nashville, TN July 2023-PRESENT
I joined as the first designer on the J&M Apparel and Accessories team. In my role I support the design needs of the Product Managers for both men’s and women’s products.
- Apparel CADs - knits, wovens, outerwear, blazers and dresses
- Leather goods CADs - Backpacks, briefcases, bags, belts and wallets
- Custom print designs for shirting, socks and dresses
- Trend and Competitive Analysis shopping trips supported by custom reports
- Seasonal color palette development
- Trend presentations for sales meetings
- Retail, Factory (outlet) and wholesale design support
FREELANCE DESIGNER, ST. LOUIS, MO — 2020-PRESENT
I started a freelance business after losing my job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I have continued my work in the toy industry and been able to explore more areas of interests of product design. My work includes consulting for various plush toy and fashion doll brands, designing prints, textiles, footwear and home decor.
PRODUCT DESIGNER, CALERES ( formerly BROWN SHOE)
ST. LOUIS, MO — 2019-2020
- Designed and detailed product lines for the women’s footwear brand Lifestride.
- Researched trends and products online, shopped major markets, pulled swipe and designed/prepared mood boards
- CADs for footwear uppers, new constructions and outsole designs
- Trim and ornament design/development
- Attended shoe shows (FFANY) and key customer meetings
- Partnered with sales team for assortment needs and special product requests including CAD recolors, fabric updates and construction swaps
- Daily communication with overseas vendors/sample rooms
- Fabric strike off/lab dip approvals
- Partnered with costing/sourcing team to ensure product margin goals are met
SENIOR PRODUCT DESIGNER, BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP; ST. LOUIS, MO — 2014-2019
- Designer for girls products (plush, clothing, shoes and accessories), proprietary and licensed, 400+ annual SKUs with $600+ MM in sales
- Apparel CAD design, tech packs, print and pattern design, plush and apparel fabric development
- Partnered daily with Product Development, Merchandising, Marketing, Sourcing and Quality Control teams
- Presented design concepts and samples at milestone meetings to executive leadership team and CEO
- Created, developed and supported multiple Intellectual Properties
-Daily communication with overseas vendors. Provided feedback and overlays on samples and photos
-Interviewed and trained new hires. Managed workload for associate designer
- Built and maintained relationships with new an existing licensor creative partners, designed licensed programs and worked through product approvals
- Blue Sky concept design exploring new features, fabrics and technology
- Met and exceeded product target margins, value-engineered and drove process efficiencies
Designer, Carter Bryant, creator of the Bratz fashion dolls — 2010-2014
- Developed new fashion doll concepts
- Created conceptual illustrations and character artwork
- Designed backgrounds, logos, icons and patterns used for packaging, accessories, web content, trade shows and tv commercials
- Produced tech packs and turns for fashions and plastic goods
- Created trend boards, project pitch presentations and concept boards for sales presentations
- Hand sewed fashions and sculpted/painted accessories for quick ideation
- Provided styling for product photography and filming sessions
Intern, Vogue magazine; NEW YORK, NY — 2008
- Design intern in VOGUE Studio, an internal design department focused on advertising and special events
- Upheld design standards while designing invitations, mailers, menus and tickets for fashion shows and promotional events
- Worked with senior design staff on advertisement concepts and prepared client presentation materials
- Extensive image editing in Photoshop
- Sourced materials and worked with vendors for promotional pieces
Education
Truman State University; Kirksville, MO — 2009 BFA Visual Communication, Spanish Language Minor
Academia Mester, Salamanca, Spain - 2007 Language, history and culture program