PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Seasoned Graphic Artist and versatile Textile Designer with 12+ years’ experience in the fashion industry, specializing in kids (girls and boys), junior, and women’s markets. Recognized for elevating creative output, re-energizing brands, and delivering top- selling designs. Highly collaborative leadership style with ability to mobilize internal teams and partner effectively with vendors to ensure smooth production.
History of developing successful designs for wide range of retailers, including both iconic, established brands and relative newcomers/startups: Levi’s, OshKosh B'gosh, P. S. Kids, Victoria’s Secret PINK, Nickelodeon, Alice + Olivia, Macy’s, Kohl's, The Children's Place.
Skilled at trend research and market analysis with success in conceptualizing original surface design, graphic art, embroidery, and applique art.
Highly organized with a penchant for optimizing creative workflows, systems and technologies to boost effectiveness and enhance creative quality.
Proven management skills with experience in mentoring, directing and training junior staff and new hires on creative processes and best practices.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Textile Design + Graphic Design + Illustration + Creative & Brand Development + Technical Flat Illustration
+ Print Repeats + Production Art + Merchandising + Embroidery & Applique + Woven & Knit Design
+ Hand Sketching & Watercolor + Style Guide Art + Licensed Apparel
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Senior Graphic Artist | KAHN LUCAS | New York, NY April 2017-December 2018
Developed newborn-6x graphic artwork, print design and production art for private-label dresses, sets, and sleepwear lines.
Elevated the overall caliber of creative output despite major reorganization resulting in a near 65% decrease in headcount.
Successfully develop 50-60 SKUs per week, with a focus on mass market, mid-tier regional and national retailers.
Optimized creative workflow process by establishing new system to organize art files, improving collaboration with Production.
Graphic Artist / Textile Designer | FREELANCE | New York, NY 2014-2018
Select clients include: Nickelodeon, OshKosh B'gosh, Kohl’s (Jumping Beans, Sonoma Girls), P.S. Kids, & Alice and Olivia.
Designed and sold approx. 75% of pitched apparel prints to Five Points Graphics, a Brooklyn-based design studio.
Victoria’s Secret / PINK: Developed design groundwork for swimwear and intimates for Spring 2015 line.
Designed and developed all graphics and flyer work for renowned synchronized swim team The Brooklyn Peaches.
Graphic Artist / Textile Designer | SEARS HOLDINGS | New York, NY Aug 2014-Jul 2016
Designed graphic tees, prints, accessories, and embroidery / appliques for four “Big Girls 7-16” brands including: CRB girl
(mass-driven), Canyon River Blues (juniors-focused), Everlast (athleisure) and Simply Sears (basic, heavily print-driven).
Elevated creative caliber and repositioned brand, evolving product to suit a more sophisticated mass-market customer.
Developed additional designs for baby / infant apparel and boys graphics on ad hoc basis.
Conducted market trend research and collaborated with designer to develop highly-curated look of 100 SKUs per season (~20 SKUs per brand).
Sat in on creative meetings and collaborated with buyers; reported to Art Director and, later, to Director of Design.
Design Director | THE CAYRE GROUP | New York, NY 2012-Jul 2014
Managed Art Department for Ladies Sleepwear Division; successfully designed and merchandized sleepwear programs.
Mentored, managed, trained and art-directed team of up to 3 artists and freelancers; optimized internal workflow and communication.
Partnered effectively with diverse program stakeholders and vendors, including buyers, production, and factories.SEARS HOLDINGS New York, NY August 2014 - July 2016
Graphic Artist/Textile Designer - Designing graphic tees, prints, accessories, and embroidery/appliques for Big Girls 7-16 brands including CRB Girl, Canyon River Blues and Everlast.
Graphic Artist / Textile Designer | HADDAD BRANDS | New York, NY 2011-2012
Designed graphic tees, prints, accessories, and embroidery / appliques for Levi's Girls, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. and
Denizen Brands.
Conceived, designed and developed several best-selling tee shirts; oversaw and ensured on-time, on-budget production.
Conducted extensive trend research; established brand’s look and feel via print and graphic artwork, presentations andmerchandizing displays.
Graphic Artist | GARAN INC. | New York, NY 2009-2011
Designed prints and graphics for infant / toddler division of the mass childrenswear line Garanimals.
Graphic Artist | RICHARD LEEDS INTERNATIONAL | New York, NY 2007-2009
Developed original print and graphic artwork for several brands including French Jenny
Conceived and developed original style guide art for licenses such as Disney, Looney Tunes, and King Features.
Prior Experience:
Graphic Artist | ARIELA-ALPHA INTERNATIONAL | New York, NY | 2005-2007
Legwear Designer | RENFRO NEW YORK | New York, NY | 2001-2005
EDUCATION
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN Providence, RI
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Textiles Design
SOFTWARE SKILLS
Proficiency across multiple project management, collaboration and creative software tools including: Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop) | NedGraphics (textile design software)
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Synchronized Swimmer | The Brooklyn Peaches | 2012-Present
Professional Synchronized Swimming Troupe in the style of Esther Williams