Mari Kushida

I am currently working as a Creative Director of the Baby Department
as well as a Design Lead for the other departments. In these roles, I have
gained a great deal of experience in managing and juggling projects of
varying sizes and complexities.
• Research trends , shop stores & create successful lines for major retailers.
• Cultivate, lead & mentor in house team to develop from concept to production multiple lines.
• Acquired certification to work directly with Target merchandisers for quarterly baby shoe lines.
• Coordinates with overseas factories to source & produce development samples.
•Collaborate cross-functionally between all departments creating structure & processes.

• Manage all designs, sourcing, producing, social media, photography, and video content.

• Produced trend driven presentations for buyer meetings.
• Grew and lead team to find design solutions for product & packaging.
• Collaborated and delivered on wide range of products- stationery, party supplies, home decor, accessories, novelty, both hard & soft lines- kids, pet & adult- concept to production.

• Managed a team in design, work flow & time management.
• Challenged team to creatively use licensee provided guides, bringing unique product to market.
• Developed Horizon specific style guides for Sanrio lines.
• Participated in yearly Sanrio hosted inspiration/ trend trips to Japan.
• Worked closely with project manager to come up with innovative Stationery and Craft sets.

• Developed package art that successfully tells a story.
• Became a lead component designer- responsible for creating the looks for new lines.
• Worked closely with marketing team for product development from concept to production on toys, craft kits, coloring books.

• Gathered trend research & created trend boards used for all design departments’ concepts.
• Attended print shows and assisted hand picking art for in house library of designs.
• Conceptualized new party lines.