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Product Design & Illustration
Joel Gaurano
Chicago, IL
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About
Creative and results-driven design professional with over 15 years of experience leading product innovation, licensed artwork development, and end-to-end design execution across Home, Kids, Furniture, and Seasonal categories. Skilled at translating trends into revenue-generating assortments, collaborating across global vendor networks, and mentoring high-performing teams. Proven expertise in trend forecasting, visual storytelling, and lifecycle management for brands like Disney, Marvel, Peanuts, and Hershey’s.
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Education
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Bachelor of Fine Arts Graphic DesignUniversity of Illinois at Chicago1998 - 2001
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Loyola University of Chicago1995 - 1997
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Experience
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Advanced ArtistMenomonee Falls, WISep 2022 - Jul 2025 (2 years 10 months)• Lead artist for Disney and Marvel licenses in Kids’ Bedding, Bath, and Décor
• Drove brand consistency and trend alignment across assortments
• Partnered cross-functionally to translate insights into cohesive, market-right product lines
• Shaped design direction through market and competitive analysis -
Associate Designer - Furniture, Outdoor Soft Decor, and PetMenomonee Falls, WIMar 2017 - Sep 2022 (5 years 6 months)• Owned full design process for trend-forward home décor items from concept to production
• Delivered visual tools and presentations for milestone meetings
• Mentored 5 Assistant Designers and coached interns over 3 years
• Contributed to category growth by integrating customer and competitive insights -
Designer - Home Fashions / Outdoor Living / SeasonalSears Holdings Management CorporationHoffman Estates, ILDec 2008 - Oct 2016 (7 years 10 months)• Designed holiday programs and seasonal decor aligned with trends and strategy
• Collaborated with global vendors to ensure on-brand execution and timely delivery
• Supported new product introductions through innovation and analysis -
Associate BuyerSears Holdings Management CorporationHoffman Estates, ILMay 2014 - Nov 2015 (1 year 6 months)• Managed $33.4M seasonal business for Kmart, including vendor negotiation and line planning
• Drove double-digit growth (e.g., +14% in Americana) by optimizing SKUs and promotions
• Led creative development for circulars, digital campaigns, and displays -
Product Line Manager / Senior Product DesignerHouston Harvest Gift ProductsFranklin Park, ILAug 2005 - Dec 2008 (3 years 4 months)• Oversaw licensed programs for Hershey, Peeps, Disney, and Marvel
• Led concept and product development to align with brand and consumer trends
• Managed quality control and compliance across sourcing and design teams -
Graphic DesignerWormser CompanyChicago, ILSep 2002 - Aug 2006 (3 years 11 months)• Designed licensed artwork for Children’s Apparel categories with focus on top licenses, including DC Comics, Disney, Marvel, & Warner Bros.
• Developed product and designed artwork for private brand children’s sleepwear -
DesignerClaire's AccessoriesHoffman Estates, IL2006 - 2006• Responsible for the development of key item drivers for the Home Décor, Stationary, and Fashion Accessories team, including trend analysis, style guide creation, design, and sample review and approval
• Developed product and designed artwork for celebrity brands of Nicky Hilton and Bethany Hamilton
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Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@jgaurano, member since 2012
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