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Technical Designer
SanMar
Mar 2021 - Present (3 years 9 months)
• Create development tech pack for each prototype request with defined sketches, block reference, grade rules,
construction, and measurement details to create an accurate prototype and generate accurate cost.
• Confirm factory patterns follow requested blocks through Gerber Accumark.
• Maintain sample tracking for meeting key deadlines.
• Check garment for adherence to specification and requested details.
• Lead fit sessions to document technical adjustments that reflect creative design comments involving aesthetic approval and to improve the garment fit, function, appearance, and cost.
• Cross-functional and international communication with accurate reporting and tracking, as well as providing concise directions to suppliers to solve construction and spec issues as they arise.
• Collaboratively develop fit blocks with cross-functional teams to maximize correct interpretation and accurate silhouette by gender for woven and fleece categories.
• Create final full garment spec to reflect all fit, construction and performance details that can be manufactured in mass production while collaborating with cross-functional team members to ensure products are aligned with
brand strategies and business needs.
• Adhere to the product design and development calendars from fit approval to production to ensure product meets design intent.
• Maintain knowledge of Gerber AccuMark to improve communications around design intent and pattern revision requests with suppliers and vendors.
• Interpret creative design direction through illustration with a technically correct and accurate sketch to include specific prototype feature details, stitching, placement, etc.
• Streamline product development processes within seasonal calendar timelines.
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Technical Designer and Product Development Support
Outdoor Research
Mar 2020 - Mar 2021 (1 year)
• Accurately evaluated and made updates to PLM system with technical specifications, design sketches, and detail callouts for new and carry-over products in Accessories, Outerwear, and Apparel departments.
• Prepared seasonally accurate tech packs and BOMs to support seasonal development goals.
• Reviewed proto samples to ensure adherence to product specification guidelines.
• Communicated daily with factory partners to support sample development that achieves design and quality intent.
• Worked cross-functionally to align actions with calendar timeline and business goals.
• Supported all areas of Technical Design, Product Development and Design departments as needed.
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Designer & Market Trend Analyst
Classic Accessories
Feb 2018 - Dec 2019 (1 year 10 months)
• Develop products and specifications (written and illustrated) from initial 2D concepts to development samples. Work with Quality Manager to insure consistent application of standards. Contribute to reviewing product; returns; approval samples; preproduction samples; production samples and final production.
• Awarded two U.S. Utility Patents for functional design, which has been key to deterring copycat products in the market.
• Collaborate with Product Developers, throughout the development process of new products to discuss, define and refine the course of product design and development and specifications within established cost and quality guidelines.
• Work directly with Creative Services to develop instructions and packaging information; review results prior to product launch.
• Product/competitor comparisons for Sales group; contribute to Product Training and demonstration/development; this includes being available to answer technical questions for customer service; assist the Sales Managers in concept development and refinement in concert with the customer when appropriate.
• Build and maintain analytical models.
• Measure effectiveness of marketing programs and strategies.
• Understand business objectives and design surveys to discover prospective customers’ preferences.
• Familiar with social media, online, and mobile research techniques.
• Collect data on consumers, competitors and market place and consolidating information into actionable items, reports and presentations.
• Compiling and analyzing statistical data using modern and traditional methods to collect.
• Analyze data to draw both qualitative and quantitative conclusions.
• Help determine potential markets, product demand, and pricing.
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Designer
Classic Accessories
Kent, WA
Feb 2010 - Feb 2018 (8 years)
• Design profitable, high-quality products for Classic Accessories brands and several fortune 500 companies (Wal-Mart, Target, Lowes, Home Depot) from conception to production and delivery.
• Worked with licensed partners and developed a pet line for Cesar Millan branded pet gear.
• Develop Customer Language guide based on consumer profiling to help keep CA brand message consistent throughout the product development process.
• Research and forecast market trends in color and styles and ways to apply them across all product categories.
• Attend trend shows and shop competitive markets to keep up on latest innovations in materials and technology.
• Source new technologies and manage fabric development for new product categories.
• Achieved the company’s first U.S. Utility Patent for functional design, which has been the key in deterring copycat products in the market.
• Managed assistant and associate workloads to meet rigorous deadlines.
Associate Designer (2008-2010)
• Researched seasonal trends to present at quarterly brainstorm meetings.
• Created mood boards, technical sketches and specification packages to support new product development.
• Approved samples, lab dips and print strike-offs for production.
• Communicated with factories daily to manage production process.
• Executed updates and corrections to production documents when changes were necessary.
• Promoted to a design role after proving effective product development skills through brainstorm meetings.
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Freelance Designer
Independent Consultant
Tukwila, WA
Nov 2010 - Feb 2011 (3 months)
• Conducted remote design work in home studio.
• Transformed the design team’s vision into concept sketches, created patterns based on approved sketches, sewed samples for approval meetings, selected appropriate trims for specific projects, and presented final samples for production approval.
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Associate Designer
Victoria Simmons
Seattle, WA
May 2008 - Aug 2008 (3 months)
• Appointed as Pattern Maker/Sample Sewer of Women's Cut and Sew, developing patterns for new garments.
• Improved sew-ability of existing patterns, and assembled garments.
• Contributed to overall garment design and line cohesiveness.
• Assisted in pre-show preparations and after-show sales activities.
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Assistant Designer
Eddie Bauer
Redmond, WA
Jul 2006 - May 2008 (1 year 10 months)
• Awarded Best of Bauer Award for team contribution to best sellers list.
• Assisted the gear and accessories department through creating technical sketches and specification.
• Researched trends and competitive markets in bags and backpacks.
• Attended vendor meetings to source and create new components for technical
Intern (2005-2006)
• Created technical sketches for the outerwear department.
• Organized reference samples, and sorted/filed mountains of Pantone chips.