Renee Christensen
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About
Creative, innovative, detail oriented Product Designer, Product Developer, Illustrator with experience creating a large range of products that offer high quality and value to both consumers and clients. Experience designing private label and licensed products in a large variety of materials for direct mail, catalog, school fundraising, and major retail markets. A creative problem solver who welcomes the challenges of new products and materials.
• Experience working with and designing products for major licensed properties, including:
Coca-Cola, Budweiser, John Deere, Disney, Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, Peanuts, Hasbro/Monopoly, NASCAR, NFL, NHL, NBA, CLC, MLB, Precious Moments, American Idol, McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Norman Rockwell, Terry Redlin, The Thomas Kinkade Company, TABASCO, Children’s Miracle Network, DreamWorks/Kung Fu Panda, Build-A-Bear, Al Agnew, Challis and Roos.
•Experience designing exclusive products and product lines for major retailers, including: Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Kroger, Office Depot, JoAnn, AC Moore, Michaels, Hobby Lobby
KEY COMPETENCIES:
• Experience working with vendors in Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Spain, India, and USA
• Extensive experience designing seasonal products
• Knowledge of product manufacturing procedures from concept/quote to packaging/shipment
• Experience designing in a variety of materials, including: wood, MDF, resin, EVA foam, fabric, metal, paper, ceramic, dolomite, porcelain and their related finishes.
• Skilled at researching marketplace, customers, and competitors, to help deliver exceptional products
• Supervisory experience
• Retail Merchandising experience
• Able to clearly communicate critiques of sculptures, manufacturer samples, production samples, advertising, and copy
• Team player, able to work independently
• Proven ability to cut product costs while maintaining quality and value
• Highly creative and passionate about product design, trend identification and new product innovation -
Education
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NA Enameling for JewelryEvanston Art Center2013 - Currently Enrolled
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Jewelry Rendering, Figure SculptureLill Street Art Center2007 - 2009Figure Sculpture Fall 2008, Jewelry Rendering Workshop, April 2007
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Figure DrawingThe Drawing Workshop2007 - 2007
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Associates Degree Commercial Art; IllustrationAmerican Academy of Art1999 - 2001
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Drawing, Painting, IllustrationThe School of the Art Institute of Chicago1997 - 1998
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Experience
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Freelance Product Designer/Illustratorself employedJan 2007 - Present (19 years 5 months)Creating original product designs and Illustrations for clients, including Fibre-Craft Materials Corp., Enesco, and the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District. Self-managing multiple projects to meet client’s needs, deadlines, and target costs. Current work includes creating identity programs, including web banners and custom store displays, package design, package mock ups, pattern design, product design
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Product DesignerDyno Seasonal SolutionsRiverwoods, ILAug 2018 - Apr 2021 (2 years 8 months)Responsible for the concept, design and development of seasonal decor items including; tree skirts, stockings, pillows, hats, headbands, pet wearables, wall decor, tabletop decor
Within the first six months of employment created a multimillion dollar line of innovative holiday wearables that were selected as an exclusive item by Walmart USA. This line of oversize, whimsical holiday hats was trademarked by Walmart and chosen as their in-store associate hat for the holiday selling season. -
Product Development Manager IIIThe Bradford ExchangeSep 2010 - Jan 2014 (3 years 4 months)Managed the development of innovative collectible products from concept to production for Bradford's Holiday Decor, Ornament, and Coin teams. Daily interaction with Graphic Designers, Freelance Illustrators, Licensors, Fine Artists, Copywriters, Advertising Designers, Sourcing Staff, Procurement Staff, Admins, and Executive Team to facilitate the development of products and their related advertising. Presentation of new product concepts to Development, Marketing, and Executive Teams. Product forms developed include; Resin Figurines, Pre-decorated PVC Pine Trees, Fabric Floral Arrangements, Lead Crystal Products, Resin Collectibles featuring movement mechanisms, sound chips, LED and/or Fiber Optic Lighting, Medallions, Replica Coins, Coin Collections, Men's Jewelry, Historical Replica Model Ships. Responsibilities also included creating product specifications for quoting/manufacture, assigning new product identification numbers and maintaining individual product records in the Filemaker Pro Product Development Database.
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Product Designer and Product DeveloperFibre-Craft Materials CorpJan 2008 - Aug 2009 (1 year 7 months)Concepting and designing children’s craft kits, craft supplies and product lines for the retail market to fit planograms, retail buyers needs, and target costs. Designing and producing prototypes and in-store models. Writing and illustrating product instructions, directing on and off site freelance designers.
- Company lost major Walmart standing order and downsized 15% of staff. -
Product Developer/Package Designerthe smartdeptJul 2007 - Jan 2008 (6 months)Temporary Contract freelance design at Giftco Inc., Vernon Hills, IL
Concept and design of both exclusive and licensed toy and giftware products for the school fundraising market. All designs rendered in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, including rotational views and specifications for overseas vendors. Responsibilities also include retouching product images, creating packaging die lines, designing coordinating package artwork, display boxes and POP displays. -
Product Developer/DesignerCollections Etc.Jul 2004 - Jul 2007 (3 years)Creating original, exclusive product designs at predetermined price points for a rapidly growing catalog company. Concepting, sketching, illustrating, and developing functional and decorative products in a wide range of categories, including: Home Decor, Garden, Holiday, Seasonal, Toys, Pets, Gift, Special Occasion, and Apparel. Responsibilities also included the creation of trend boards and development of new product lines.
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Product Development AssociateThe Bradford GroupSep 2001 - Apr 2004 (2 years 7 months)Development and management of new and existing licensed product series from concept to production, including cost negotiations. These products included: village buildings, village accessories, tabletops, ornaments, frames, figurines electric trains, and display shelves. Working with in-house departments such as: marketing, advertising, graphic design, and licensing, as well as freelance illustrators and overseas vendors daily. Negotiating product costs with overseas vendors. Processing invoices from domestic and international vendors. Responsible for updating and maintaining Development Team's FileMaker Pro Database.
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Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@ReneeC, member since 2009
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Following 2
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Followers 3
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