PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Multidisciplinary Creative Director and Product Designer with 15+ years of experience leading design teams, developing innovative consumer products, and building strong brand identities across retail, apparel, pet, textile, hospitality, and tech industries. Expert in concept-to-production development, vendor management, trend forecasting, and cross-functional collaboration. Combines strategic leadership with hands-on illustration, CAD, and production execution.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Creative Direction
Product Development (Concept to Production)
Trend Forecasting & Market Strategy
Tech Packs & Overseas Vendor Communication
Surface & Textile Design
Brand Development & Marketing
Packaging & Print Production
Team Leadership & Workflow Management
Budgeting & Vendor Negotiation
Product Photography & Illustration
Product Development (Concept to Production)
Trend Forecasting & Market Strategy
Tech Packs & Overseas Vendor Communication
Surface & Textile Design
Brand Development & Marketing
Packaging & Print Production
Team Leadership & Workflow Management
Budgeting & Vendor Negotiation
Product Photography & Illustration
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Design & CAD Software:
Adobe Photoshop | Illustrator | InDesign | Dreamweaver
WordPress | Microsoft Word | Keynote | PowerPoint | Procreate
Adobe Photoshop | Illustrator | InDesign | Dreamweaver
WordPress | Microsoft Word | Keynote | PowerPoint | Procreate
Creative & Technical Skills:
Hand Illustration | Surface Pattern Design | Textile Development
Sewing & Pattern Development | Costume Design
Product Photography | Print Production
Hand Illustration | Surface Pattern Design | Textile Development
Sewing & Pattern Development | Costume Design
Product Photography | Print Production
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Product Designer
24 Seven – Petco | October 2024 – Present
Design and develop innovative pet products across toys, accessories, apparel, and seasonal categories.
Lead product creation from concept through production in partnership with merchandising, sourcing, packaging, and marketing teams.
Create CADs and detailed tech packs for overseas vendors.
Ensure safety compliance while balancing aesthetic vision, cost targets, and margin goals.
Art Director
Sun Diego Boardshop | September 2023 – April 2024
Directed private label graphic development and product design.
Forecasted trends and identified customer preferences to guide buying strategy.
Negotiated supplier agreements and managed vendor relationships.
Monitored budgets, stock levels, and sales performance to optimize product mix.
Senior Graphic Designer
Harrah’s Resort & Casino | February 2022 – December 2022
Head designer for in-house agency serving multiple casino brands.
Mentored design team and managed workflow across departments.
Led branding and launch of new restaurant concept.
Graphic Design & Marketing Lead
Mohawk Network Solutions | December 2020 – February 2022
Built and led a new marketing department for a technology company.
Designed and launched branding for three websites.
Developed marketing collateral and digital campaigns to drive traffic.
Hired and supervised contractors and creative vendors.
Graphic Designer
Westamerica Communications | February 2015 – May 2016
Produced print, packaging, newsletters, annual reports, and responsive email campaigns.
Designed WordPress websites and managed client production schedules.
Developed brand-consistent creative for financial industry clients.
Textile Designer
Hoffman California Fabrics | October 2010 – December 2014
Created cotton print designs for quilting, surf, and Hawaiian markets.
Developed repeat patterns and hand-painted concepts for overseas print houses.
Prepared tech packs and production files for manufacturing.
Art Director
XR, LLC | October 2008 – May 2010
Established in-house art department and supervised designers.
Designed packaging, print materials, websites, trade show booths, and marketing assets.
Managed photo shoots and in-house product photography.
Oversaw wholesale management and distribution support.
Art Director
Michael O’Reily Jewelry | November 2006 – January 2008
Led marketing material creation, budgeting, and production coordination.
Developed international marketing strategies for US, Japan, England, and German markets.
Ensured brand consistency across global campaigns.
Freelance Graphic & Textile Designer
May 2016 – Present
Provide creative direction, surface design, and branding for marketing agencies, textile manufacturers, apparel brands, and technology clients.
Deliver illustration, repeat patterns, packaging, and web design solutions tailored to client needs.
Adjunct Instructor
Saddleback College | August 2016 – Present
Teach Digital Illustration for Fashion Design and Surface Design I & II.
Develop lectures on illustration history, repeat pattern development, and industry application.
Train students in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Procreate workflows.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Minor in Illustration
Laguna College of Art and Design
Laguna College of Art and Design
Associate Degree, Graphic Design
Platt College
Platt College
Fashion & Costume Design Studies
Saddleback College
Saddleback College