Jessica Ma

• Worked on digital "staging" and 3D renderings
• Worked on GUI for an app

Previous contract ended – hired immediately into Store Planning AGI (International Development

• Prepared 6 preliminary plan for new and renovated store locations in franchisee countries using established design concept per banner
• Prepared 1 feasibility study for the director of sales and operations
• Reviewed survey and base building documentation, mall design criteria and franchisee business requirements in order to plan store layout that complies and meets business needs
• Worked with Design Team in order to ensure internal design approvals
• Coordinated with external professional consultants such as architects and engineers in order to ensure production of construction set of drawings and 3D renderings
• Coordinated and provided support to internal departments such as marketing and visual merchandising to ensure all information is up to date and accurate
• Worked within set project schedules and reported to manager any schedule or design issues
• Coordinated and simultaneously managed 8 project schedules in partnership with franchisee
• Built and maintained strong relationship with franchisee and their team
• Coordinated and managed ALDO-supplied store fixtures orders in conjunction with the Procurement team
• Monitored progress of store construction with franchisee and assisted in resolution of site-related conditions and design deficiencies
• Ensured efficient communication and site directions internally as well with franchisees which included: site conditions, furniture issues, quality control, samples, custom furniture, etc.
• Offered solutions and options to franchisee in order to comply with ALDO design and meet specific franchisee needs

Hired full time (contract - sick leave replacement) to create, update and upkeep store design standards for all Aldo Group banners on corporate and international stores, as well as department stores.

• Updated 2 existing design criterias
• Created 4 new design criterias for launched concepts
• Completed 4 published design criterias
• Completed first draft of 4 design criterias
• Analyzed and modified over 80 store plans, construction drawings and photos/renders resulting in store design standards for launched store concepts for all Aldo Group banners of various types (from regular to flagships to franchise stores) - a total of over 300 pages
• Attended meetings and collected information from multiple departments in order to compile and/or update the store design standards criteria
• Expressed store design standards intentions in a simple yet complete manner using a combination of visuals and concise descriptions
• Proposed and created a working tool for project leaders to use in design meetings
• Worked on graphical layout and language of several design criterias
• Managed multiple projects at varying degrees of completion and complexity

OTHER
• Took initiative to inquire and follow-up on any errors or inconsistencies in documentation with the appropriate people and departments

Hired as a visual merchandising designer; role and responsibilities quickly expanded to include product development/selection as well as marketing/branding.

VISUAL MERCHANDISING
• Reported directly to the SVP and the General Director; advised on branding, presentation and in-store marketing standards to enhance customer shopping experiences nationwide
• Successfully developed, presented and managed visual merchandising strategies implemented by 8 district managers for 38 stores across Canada
• Designed lookbooks for more than 100 products across 4 major product categories resulting in consistent branding and shopping experiences nationwide
• Created a comprehensive store design template for locations between 2,000 sq ft and 10,000 sq ft, optimizing presentation standards and increasing accessibility to products for customers
• Participated in the planning and review processes of 3 new retail locations in western Canada with senior management, retail development teams and architects
• Participated in weekly store visits with senior management to ensure proper execution of visual merchandising guidelines

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & SELECTION
• Researched and identified emerging trends and new product category opportunities; recommended over 40 new products to buyers resulting in the purchase and production of 5 new collections
• Actively collaborated with the product design department and buying team; assisted in selecting materials and color schemes for more than 20 products across 10 manufacturers in South East Asia

MARKETING & PHOTO SHOOT
• Collaborated with the Marketing Director on the artistic direction of more than 20 photo shoots; created over 15 inspiration mood boards, launched 3 seasonal catalogs in 6 months and coordinated with production team for set design
• Collaborated with the Marketing Director and the General Director on online and offline marketing, including catalog content and layout and suggestions to the product description

Key creative member responsible for producing, maintaining and improving product installation manuals and technical specifications for existing and new product lines.

TECHNICAL DESIGN/GRAPHIC DESIGN
• Reviewed and assembled over 15 shower doors in order to understand and enhance user experience
• Created and redesigned over 40 installation manuals in over 5 different series, replacing lengthy and complex information with coherent illustrations
• Modified 5 bills of materials and created over 40 product specifications sheets
• Created over 50 digital illustrations used for marketing purposes (catalog and website)
• Trained 5 customer service associates on product installation procedures
• Simultaneously managed and tracked over 5 projects within tight deadlines; first project was delivered within 2 weeks of start date, 2 weeks ahead of schedule

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
• Assisted in product design initiatives including product brainstorm sessions and quality control reviews. Proactively redesigned 3 hardware components throughout design stages, from sketching to design, prototyping and testing

Originally recruited for a 2 month internship to assist to the Store Design & Construction department to prepare for a new store concept launch; the contract was renewed for another 4 months.

• Learned independently to draw store plans and layouts using existing drawings as a guideline within 2 weeks
• Identified opportunities to enhance, improve and update existing area analysis plans and procedures
• Drew over 5 store plans by implementing Le Château architecture standards and fixtures to a given space
• Created over 200 area analysis floor plans by assessing store size for space layout management
• Communicated with manufacturers for estimates on price, delivery and feasibility of the new concept store fixtures
• Created 3 proposal boards for the Director of the department used for a presentation with senior management

Participated in multiple brainstorming sessions, assembled prototypes and assisted with various other tasks.

Film editing for Alexandre Trudeau in addition to some administrative and bookkeeping work.