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Chief Designer
Vancouver, BC
Feb 2016 - Present (6 years 3 months)
Develop designs and concepts for house brand as well as collaborating with other international brands offering them a complete spectrum of services including branding and sourcing.
· Developed vision and brand appropriate seasonally relevant concepts for domestic and international brands, partnering with suppliers to develop the desired product within costing matrix
· Sourced new materials, both leather and recycled fabrics, including metal hardware for international footwear brand
· Footwear design and specs development for brands such as Malvados, Footlogics and 90º
· Created innovative eyewear designs with patent pending # US CLR-D001US
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Senior Product Designer and Developer
NATIVE SHOES
Vancouver, BC
Jun 2017 - Dec 2020 (3 years 6 months)
Managed design team for designing the men’s, women’s and kid’s collections from the Creative Director’s brief. Developed projects involving recycled textile and sustainable materials. Successfully worked with cross-functional teams and pattern makers to improve fit and performance. Travelled extensively overseas to develop products, oversee product manufacturing, as well as mentor the junior teams and liaise with local factories and suppliers.
· Improved relationship with overseas factories and material vendors driving production and reducing overall costs
· Created concepts and designs for the initial “Hello Kitty” and “Save the Duck” collections, launched in 2019
· Re-developed best-selling outsoles improving comfort, stability and grip in only 3 months from sketch to finished product by implementing new development processes
· Initiated a footwear donation program for a local non-profit organization
- Build initial seasonal trends and direction with Director of design
- Oversea the product development team’s day to day to execute the vision of our collection
- Source and Develop seasonal materials & ensure execution feasibility for production approval
- Partner with suppliers to develop the desired product within our costing matrix from prototyping through to final confirmation
- Establish core milestones within the development process with an acute attention to detail to ensure we're able to deliver amazing products to our consumers.
- Participate in weekly store results workshops to collect intel on product performance to anticipate for immediate opportunities or future expansions
- Travel to China at least twice a year to review development prototypes, visit factories and attend SATRA training sessions
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Senior Product Designer and Developer
JOHN FLUEVOG SHOES
Vancouver, BC
May 2011 - Jan 2016 (4 years 8 months)
Responsible for influencing the creation of seasonal concepts. Managed and mentored teams in creating project tech packs to pass to appropriate suppliers for development. Selected material, component and construction options to maximize production. Manage the product creation process from initial concept through to commercialization. Developed footwear components communicating product information through technical sketches and the use of 3D software, including in-house 3D printing.
· Implemented design process from a strictly product based model to a more sales driven approach which contributed to increased revenue growth and reduced development costs
· Successfully developed functional solutions for new footwear constructions, building trusted relationships with overseas last maker and Vietnamese manufacturers
· Created collaborative relationships with vendors in order to reduce raw material costs by 20%
· Effectively utilized left over leathers at the factory for special limited edition production runs
- Build initial seasonal trends and direction with CEO
- Create 3D printed components of new components to speed up the development process
- Manage the calendar and timelines for product developments
- Travel to factories to oversea the product development to execute the vision of our collection
- Source and develop seasonal materials & ensure execution feasibility for production approval
- Partner with suppliers to develop the desired product within our costing matrix from prototyping through to final confirmation
- Participate in weekly store results workshops to collect intel on product performance to anticipate for immediate opportunities or future expansions
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Head of Design
RETROSUPERFUTURE
Milan, Italy
Jun 2010 - May 2011 (11 months)
Created mood boards and designs based on vintage silhouette and current trends supervised by CEO and Creative Director. Improved development process and overall communication with factories and drastically reduced timelines.
- Designed and developed 6 new silhouettes, creating new staples in the collection
- Effectively collaborated with the Design Coordinator Manager on several projects
- Developed new layouts of development sheets in order to facilitate communication with factories