Nicholas Mikesell, Product Designer & Illustrator in Dallas, TX

About

Hello! I am a fine artist and retail product designer with 20+ years of experience working in the arts & crafts, fine art, gift, home decor, and licensing industries.

My Key Strengths are: Product Development & Design, Traditional Art Skills (Drawing, Painting, Sculpting), Digital Art Skills (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Product & Market Trend Development, Creative Team Leadership.

U.S. Companies with whom I have been employed: Michaels Stores, WeVeel, Fossil, The Encore Group/Russ Berrie U.S. Gift, Figi Graphics.

I have also spent a significant amount of time working with overseas vendors and factories to design and produce product for companies like Michaels, Hobby Lobby, JoAnn, Walmart, Target, Dollar General, Loblaws, Wilkinson and Tractor Supply Co.

Personally, my artistic passion is life drawing, portraiture and paleoart (dinosaurs!).

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or commission/freelance inquiries! :)

Education

Certificate Graphic Design

Coleman College

2006 - 2007

Traditional print graphic design education.
Bachelor of Arts Studio Arts Drawing and Illustration

The University of Toledo

1995 - 1998

Concentration on fine art. Mostly drawing, printmaking and painting.

Experience

Product Designer & Illustrator

Gemmy Industries

Dallas, TX

Jun 2021 - Present (1 year 7 months)
Trend & Design Manager

Michaels

Dallas, TX

Oct 2019 - May 2021 (1 year 7 months)
Vice President of Product Development

WeVeel

Dallas, TX

Oct 2018 - Oct 2019 (1 year)
Creative Director

4Kids Company, LTD

Dallas, TX

Mar 2015 - Oct 2018 (3 years 7 months)

Responsible for the design, art direction and management of all the company's product lines, including all customers’ seasonal and everyday programs, 4Kids’ company brands, and artwork for internal 4Kids’ style guides. Manages all aspects of product development processes, including customer product assortments, new key item identification, trend analysis, presentation decks, and customer finalization meetings.
Watch Designer

Fossil

Richardson, TX

Jan 2014 - Mar 2015 (1 year 2 months)

Designed watches for the Michael Kors brand portfolio and collaborated with fellow design team members to conceptualize and design watch collections for women and men that reflected current trend and function. Created detailed product specifications to submit to product development team and directly to overseas manufacturing suppliers.
Product Designer

Michaels

Irving, TX

Jun 2011 - Dec 2013 (2 years 6 months)

Managed all aspects of product development from concept through production, including design strategy, trend research and application, preparation of designs for manufacturing, and sample reviews. Provided product designs and style guides for specific product categories, including paper crafting supplies, craft storage, scrapbook albums, craft tools, kids craft kits, kids craft supplies, and kids impulse.
• Designed and developed numerous trend art collections for company wide application on Michaels private brand merchandise.
• Communicated directly with China and Korean vendors and traveled overseas to review samples and speed up the development process and finalize lines.
• Traveled with Michaels team members to meet with national brand representatives, shop relative competition, conduct trend research, and attend major trade shows such as New York Toy Fair, Surtex, and Chicago Housewares.
Design Instructor

Coleman University

San Marcos, CA

Sep 2007 - Jun 2011 (3 years 9 months)

Provided art and graphic design instruction for undergraduate and continuing eduction students. Taught beginning drawing, graphic design elements and principles, portfolio, and business practices for new graphic designers. Evaluated and graded students' class work, projects, and assignments. Enthusiastically worked one-on-one with students to promote individual growth. Encouraged students to combine experimentation with traditional study. Promoted a classroom and lab atmosphere of mutual co-operation.
Product Designer

Russ Berrie

San Diego, CA

Sep 2000 - Jan 2011 (10 years 4 months)

Developed and executed product designs for a wide range of piece types on various surfaces, including hard and soft goods, home and garden decor accessories, and licensed gifts. Worked closely with the creative director to conceptualize and produce designs which support market trends, new ideas, themes, and the customers' specific design style guide requirements. Executed final production artwork including detailed specifications for the development of samples and for manufacturing. Communicated directly with company factory in China to develop final samples for mass production.
Product Designer

Figi Graphics

San Diego, CA

Mar 1999 - Sep 2000 (1 year 6 months)

Sculpted highly detailed three-dimensional and bas relief clay molds from Creative Manager’s verbal and sketched directions. Provided detailed illustrations for various freelance artists to use as reference for sculpting.

Industries

Skills

Elsewhere on the Web

n

On Coroflot

@nick_mikesell, member since 2008

Following 23
Followers 87