Kate Murray

•Manage and design all aspects of celebrations paper product development, including greeting cards, gift wrap, gift bags, ribbons & bows and partyware for multiple mass market accounts.
•Design, direct and manage the Papercraft catalog division of Design Group.
•Create innovative designs, artwork, repeat patterns and color direction as well as sales and marketing collateral.
•Oversee, lead and coach a team of 10 designers and design managers.
•Collaborate with product development on seasonal line development & timelines, product approvals & prototypes, and sourcing & costing.
•Research emerging market trends to establish and present seasonal direction, color and trends.

•Lead the development, art direction and aesthetic direction of all textile design for quilting, apparel, and home décor fabrics.
•Manage, direct, and oversee 15+ licensed artists for textile design.
•Design in-house fabric collections including pattern design, color ways and repeats.
•Manage all aspects of development and production for all fabric collections from concept through bulk approval including color, print strike-offs, fabric standards and wash approvals.
•Conceptualize, create, and execute all marketing material and collateral for print and online media including presentation boards, sales (line) sheets, swatch cards and catalogs.
•Oversee all quilt and project design and development as well as booth design and set-up for trade shows and photo-shoots.
•Develop / design content and maintain / update Blend retail and wholesale websites and social media channels.

•Designer for boys and girls playwear and sleepwear (newborn to 14yrs).
•Designed and merchandised original concepts while focusing on market trends and quality requirements consistent with the brand's integrity and business strategy.
•Researched emerging market trends to establish seasonal direction, color, and trends.
•Prepared product lines, visual presentations and mock-ups including color, trend, print and story boards.
•Collaborated with product team in approvals of color, art, print strike-offs and handlooms.
•Worked with technical design to ensure and approve prototypes, fit, construction and execution as well as quality control.
•Designed within CPSC regulations for FR safe children's sleepwear.
•Managed, mentored and inspired assistant designer and interns.

•A design and manufacturing company that specialized in licensed children's apparel and accessories.
•Designed licensed layette, playwear, sleepwear, and accessories.
•Researched, developed, and presented seasonal trend direction and color.
•Communicated and collaborated with various departments through all stages of product development.
•Led development and direction of artwork print and yarn dyes.
•Coordinated with sales, buyers, and licensors to create concepts, themes and presentation.