Marielena Andre, Taktile Design Studio Inc.- Founder / Creative Director/ Instructor in New York, NY

About

Marielena Andre is a versatile Creative Art Director and Textile Designer. She is passionate about her craft and offers innovative design concepts while keeping the end product and customer in scope. Her 20 years in Fashion, Home Decor and Product D evlopment; include effective design leadership, trend forecasting, fabric development, merchandising, and process implementation for all categories of design. Combined with her knowledge of pattern making; she specializes in engineered placement prints which has afforded her a niche spot in the world of apparel textiles.

Taktile Design Studio is a full service textile and graphics design studio; inclusive of custom art by the piece or collection, any and all CAD service work, logos, and marketing material graphics. She additionally Teaches CAD design through the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Marielena's drive for design goes beyond the scope of apparel and textiles. She appreciates the process of transformation; whether it's interior remodeling, woodworking, material manipulation, or behind the needle of her sewing machine. Inspiration for her is found in the ways the light bends.

Education

Parsons School of Art and Design
BFA Textiles

Fashion Institute Of Technology
Winchester School Of Art

Experience

Founder/ Creative Director

Taktile Design Studio Inc.

Jan 2018 - Present (6 years 10 months)

Creative design hub, focusing on Textiles, Graphics, Branding and Marketing collateral.
Adjunct Instrutor

Fashion Institute Of Technology

New York, NY

Feb 2017 - Present (7 years 9 months)

Teach CAD design in Textile Design and Graphic Development. Adobe Suite, Blackboard.
Owner/ Artist

Pichkari Design Ltd

New York, NY

Apr 2014 - Jan 2018 (3 years 9 months)

Sole Proprietor offering design services in Textiles and graphics.
Freelance CAD Designer and Consultant

Freelance

Feb 2014 - Apr 2014 (2 months)

Freelance: All CAD related artwork for clients including any and all Service work, Custom original artwork whether it be one piece or a collection, Logo and marketing materials.
Consultant: Work with organizations to either build or re-structure their CAD teams. Implement processes, Assist in getting the right systems and software in place, Create a cost savings plan, and lay the ground work for a creative and collaborative team.
Print Color and Trend Director

Donna Morgan- Ali Ro

New York, NY

Mar 2013 - Feb 2014 (11 months)

• Oversee a team of artists and freelancers; drive the creative execution prior to milestone meetings and through out development calendar.
• Manage multiple branded labels in addition to six major private label accounts.
• Maintain and adhere to calendar timing and quarterly budget.
• Perform market research and trend analysis to present brand appropriate strategy.
• Direct the visual merchandising for balanced, trend right collections, in color, print and fabrication.
• Strong relationships with studios. Coordinate appointments and shop all relevant art sources.
• Daily communication between vendors, factories and internal teams on all related aspects, concept through to production.
• Partner with VP of Operations to ensure best processes and software is in place.
Textile Director

GIII: Eliza J- Jessica Howard

New York, NY

2010 - 2013 (3 years)

• Textile Design Director, overseeing CAD and Fabric teams of two dress divisions.
• Partner with Design on seasonal collection. Assort color, print, and fabric, from trend, concept and execution through to final production.  
• Provide art direction to a team of three artists. Manage a fabric assistant. Assess individual areas for growth and improvement.
• Organize and implement processes to increase productivity and efficiency. Updated systems and design procedures resulting in faster artwork output and drastic cut in external service expenditures.
• Delegate workflow ensuring showroom needs, approvals and requests are handled according to corporate calendar.
• Coordinate local and oversees fabric sourcing, Negotiate with suppliers on delivery and cost of piece goods.
• Develop new partnerships in manufacturing and design. Maintain balance between vendor matrix and home office.
• Responsible for cost control of design and artwork expenses (Perform quarterly analysis).
• Close partnership with production and Mills on execution and time lines.
• Utilize patternmaking skills in engravings to maximize yield and final cost of garment
Textile Director

Donna Morgan- Ali Ro

2007 - 2010 (3 years)

• Design Manage all aspects of print design from concept to production for both modern woman and contemporary dress divisions
• Supervise assistant designers; delegate workflow per brands specific needs, and access growth opportunities
• Manage and communicate revisions and approvals of all s/y, and bulk orders
• Liaison between design and production by overseeing proper implementation of all fabrics and garment components
• Source and develop new textiles for printing, negotiate price, minimums and engraving costs with factories
• Work directly with design, patternmaking and fit teams to ensure proper spec & grading of prints for garments, Work on layout for consumption markers sent to FTY.
• Maintain brand identities through trend and color research.
• Adhere to corporate calendar to execute deadlines and ensure timely delivery of all goods
Sr. Textile Designer

Target Corporation

Minneapolis, MN

2005 - 2007 (2 years)

• Design textiles for Contemporary Women’s Wear: Wear to Work, Casual, Plus sizes, Active, Yoga, Outerwear, Swim and Maternity in Woven, Knit and Sweater categories from concept to production. Oversee print development for six divisions.
• Lead seasonal Textile /Graphic vision to team. Manage Asst/ Assoc, Intern and Contract Designers. Coaching on color, technical design knowledge, software, processes, and brand identities, with continued design support to team.
• Partner with garment designers, merchants, sourcing, and fabric and trim teams to achieve seasonal vision. Essential organization and time management regimen working with multiple brands and teams. Demonstrate flexibility for change.
• Daily communication overseas on approvals, tracking, technique, s/o requests. Provide screen separations.
• Pilot new and potential software and systems. Demonstrate visible leadership by working with committees to formulate best methods to be rolled out company wide. Present and aid in training of peers and leaders.

Affiliations

Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe, Indesign, Kaledo, web PDM/PLM, Image Pro, AS400, Microsoft Office Suite, AVA, Image Pro, Simparel, Large format printers and scanners, hand painting and sketching

Industries

Skills

Elsewhere on the Web

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On Coroflot

@MarielenaAndre, member since 2009

Followers 5

Marielena Andre

Assistant/Associate Professor - School of Industrial Design

Embroidery Digitizer