Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
"Engage customers by creating compelling design solutions" Results-oriented creative professional with over 2 decades of experience in creative direction, product development, project management, and apparel/graphic design for some of the world's leading and most iconic motorcycle & tool brands with apparel lines. Accustomed to surpassing expectations in deadline-driven environments and leveraging trend research/analysis and design thinking processes to ideate, concept, and transform ideas into reality through brand-relevant interpretations and collections for global markets. Highly effective, proven developer and brand ambassador dedicated to leading by example and improving culture by inspiring cross-functional teamwork through the utilization of humor, exceptional people and communication skills, empathy, and a high level of emotional intelligence.
Principle Apparel Designer and Developer for Heated Gear product categories in Jobsite Apparel. Directly responsible for or supporting research, trend analysis, competitive shopping, design concept/presentation, rapid prototyping, branding, graphic/trim development, tech pack creation/maintenance, seamless incorporation of user feedback into design revisions, sample critique/comments, providing strategic category direction, proposed color assortments and creation of new, ground up product development process and collections for apparel. Committed to demonstrating consistent leadership through positive cross functional team interaction and engagement in opportunities to maintain and augment high level of user loyalty and brand integrity.
Designer and developer for new functional product within assigned categories for Harley-Davidson General Merchandise. Responsible for initiation and management of apparel & graphic design, style/comp sheets, and tactical research focused on functional development that supports and enhances creative direction while upholding brand image and integrity. Leverage research in motorcycle/apparel markets to ensure brand-appropriate designs with relevant and/or up-to-date aesthetics are reflected in the line. Lead collaboration within category team(s) to ensure product development meets deadlines and design aesthetics are appropriate for brand and category line plan to ensure achievement of performance goals associated with all development lines and/or product cycles. Leverage design/critical thinking to provide feedback, recommend solutions, and advocate for continuous improvement in regards to processes, workflow, & productivity.
Designer for functional motorcycle riding gear/apparel and graphic applications intended to reach new spaces or fill assortment gaps for multiple customer types, markets, price points, collections, and PPE. ( personal protective equipment ) Managed design and development of men's/women's functional products in the leather, textile, glove, and helmet sub-categories. Solely responsible for the design of all Harley-Davidson Men's functional styles from concept to production during 2008-2016. Presented apparel designs for assigned categories from concept sketch stage through physical sample development iterations to cross-functional category and leadership team(s) and managed all additions or sketch updates, material pre-testing and quality, styling, and color approvals, and FlexPLM system data related to design and graphics. Worked cross-functionally through daily correspondence and meetings with internal and external partners to develop brand-appropriate and relevant products that met cost, compliance, and functional requirements for multiple global product assortments and launches.
Graphic Designer across functional and casual wear product categories and targeted apparel design responsibilities intended to reach new spaces or fill assortment gaps for multiple customer types, markets, price points, and collections. Managed design and development of assigned functional products in the leather, textile, glove, and helmet sub-categories in addition to casual lifestyle products in the outerwear and sportswear sub-categories. Solely responsible for apparel design and graphic development of the initial launch of the Men's 'Black Label' young adult product line. Developed seasonal graphics and logos from concept to final art for application to multiple product categories. Concepted, presented, and developed apparel designs for assigned categories from concept drawings through physical sample development iterations to cross-functional category and leadership team(s) and managed all sketch additions or updates, material quality, styling, and color approvals, and WebPDM system data related to design and graphics. Worked cross-functionally through daily correspondence and meetings with internal and external partners to develop brand-appropriate and relevant graphics and products that met cost, compliance, and functional requirements for multiple global product assortments and launches.
Graphic Designer across hard and soft line product categories and targeted apparel design responsibilities intended to reach new spaces or fill assortment gaps for multiple customer types, markets, price points, and collections. Solely responsible for apparel design and graphic development of the initial launch of Men's/Women's 'Harley-Davidson Racing' product line. Developed seasonal graphics and logos from concept to final art for application to multiple product categories. Concepted, presented, and developed apparel designs for assigned categories from concept drawings through physical sample development iterations to cross-functional category and leadership team(s) and managed all sketch additions or updates, material quality, styling, and color approvals, and WebPDM system data related to design and graphics. Worked cross-functionally through daily correspondence and meetings with internal and external partners to develop brand-appropriate and relevant graphics and products that met cost, compliance, and functional requirements for multiple global product assortments and launches.
Freelance Illustration & Graphic Design