Design Management

ARLENE NILSSON: RESUME

***** **** ***, #**, *** Angeles, CA 90034

Cell: 310-***-**** • Home: 310-***-**** E-mail: ******@****-**.***

SPECIALTY: Trend analysis, trend boards, handbag/accessory/SLG design, hand sketching, CADs, techpacks,

project management and development, team and vendor management. Eco conscious development when requested.

SOFTWARE: Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design, Excel, Word, Quark, Quickbooks, Flash

LANGUAGES: Fluent in French and Swedish

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SKILLS:

I: Handbag/Accessory design and illustration: trend analysis/boards, trend/brand research/development, sourcing of

leathers/fabrics/hardware, hand sketching, CADs, detailed renderings in Photoshop/Illustrator, tech packs and

overseeing of prototypes, patternmaking, samplemaking, fabric printing, & local and oversees production.

II: Management and creative direction: managed/owned 2 companies: Think Outside the Bag and The WAG.

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WORK EXPERIENCE:

Freelance handbag/accessory design, project management, consulting &/or illustration (August 2006 –

present): Dandelion for Baby (eco friendly mommy bags), Reveal/Trade Passages (eco friendly moderate handbags),

Melie Bianco (junior), Rough Roses (upscale contemporary), Zina Eva (contemporary), Amber Pollard

(contemporary), Trade Passages (eco contemporary), Moni Moni (contemporary), Skyline Studios (trend/design

studio: Debra Stevenson), Tote Suite (lux contemporary), Miette Handbags (contemporary & missy moderate), Mod

Bags (lux), Charm & Luck (lux contemporary). Jerry Terrence (moderate contemporary).

BCBG Max Azria (May 2006 - August 2006) Handbag designer, evening bags. Start to finish design development/

management of spring ‘07 evening bag collection. Responsibilities including: meeting/directing vendors at their

showrooms in Hong Kong; directional inspiration boards; researching and sourcing fabrics, leathers and beading;

hand sketching, CAD renderings/tech packs (Photoshop/Illustrator); communication with and management of

manufacturers in China; overseeing prototypes/sample production and presenting collection to buyer and owner.

The Montana Group (October 2005 - April 2006). Freelance handbag/accessories designer. Development of first

season holiday 2006 leather collection. Consulting, trend and lodge “niche” research, storyboards, design, tech

packs, sourcing materials/leathers/China manufacturer and communication with all vendors and Manufacturer.

Freelance handbag/accessory design &/or illustration (2005 - 2006): Maria Lyons, Jerry Terrence, Rob Fere of

Icon (graphic production).

Think Outside The Bag (2001 - 2004) Owner/designer handbag manufacturer. Responsibilities including: designing,

and creating all products; R&D of trends and colors; sourcing fabrics, leathers, artwork, hardware and parts;

overseeing patternmaker/samplemaker; overseeing production with both local and overseas factories. Responsible

for all inventory. Client liaison and management of Nat’l salesreps. (see collection at: www.totb-la.com)

The WAG (1998 – 2002 full time + ongoing freelance to present) Online advertising design. Partner, hands-on

managing art director and client liaison. Managed 16 person studio. (designers, production artists, programmers,

writers, proofreader). Client liaison to fortune 500 accounts. (Avery, Best Buy, Epson, Gateway Computer, Toshiba

Portables and Copiers, PBS World Visions.)

Various Freelance Graphic Design (1996 - 1998) Art direction, design &/or production, composing, finishes.

Peter Green Design (1992 - 1996) Production design, photo retouching, finishing, pre-press. Print advertising,

video packaging, one-sheets, billboards. (Accounts: Disney, Buena Vista Home Video, The Disney Store)

Various Graphic Design (1986 - 1992) Art direction, design &/or production, composing, finishes.

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SCHOOL:

U.C.L.A. Certificate Program (LA): 2 year Certification in Computer Graphics & Graphic Design.

Folkuniversitet: (Gothenburg, Sweden) perspective illustration

Fashion Institute of Technology: (NYC, NY) Two years majoring in Fashion Illustration & Design.

HS of Art & Design: (NYC, NY) HS diploma, Fashion Illustration and Photography.

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