Creative Professional, Art Director, Graphic Designer

RACHEL A ALVIA

Chicago, IL ******.*****@*****.*** 847-***-**** LinkedIn: /rachelalvia Portfolio: www.rachelalvia.com Ambitious self-starting Creative Professional with 15+ years of experience in design, branding and business strategy. Proven track record of launching products and services at scale with broad market appeal, consistently focused on driving revenue growth and profitability. Extensive background in roles such as Creative Director, Art Director, Industrial Designer, Senior Designer and Product Designer across both freelance and corporate environments.

Currently seeking a return to a full-time corporate position or possibly new freelance opportunities. Eager to expand into UI/UX design and actively seeking training and entry-level opportunities in this field to build hands on experience and grow within a new discipline. CORE COMPETENCIES

3D Design

Artistic Direction

Business Development

Concept Development

Creative Direction

Creative Problem Solving

Current on AI Enabled Design

Design for Manufacturability

Graphic Design

Illustration

Industrial Design

Market & Trend Analysis

Print Design

Product Design and Development

Quick to Learn New Software

Revenue Driven Design

Senior Designer

Sewing and Textiles

Social Media Marketing

Strong Organizational Skills

Strong Spatial Reasoning

Team Leadership

Technical Drawing

Technical Specifications

Typography & Layout

Visualization Skills

Tools & Platforms: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Fresco, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Premier Pro, Adobe XD, Adobe Creative Suite, CAD Patternmaking for Apparel, Sketch, Figma, Canva, SketchUp, Tailwind, WordPress, Embird Embroidery, Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Ability to quickly learn new design and software applications.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

ALICORN STUDIO, CHICAGO, IL DECEMBER 2019 – PRESENT OWNER, PRODUCT DESIGN, INDUSTRIAL DESIGN, GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION Created a business for working with corporate freelance clients. Primarily working on product development for companies (listed below) selling to major retailers. In addition, this business creates and sells digital maker files for crafting and print on demand products to direct-to-consumer audiences through existing ecommerce platforms such as Etsy, Zazzle and Threadless.

Work as a freelance agent with corporate clients (listed below) to interpret creative briefs and develop product concepts for sales pitches to major retail stores. Many products have been accepted for development and sold successfully at retail, with some products being selected for multiple seasons due to high sales numbers.

Develop chosen concepts into technical specifications for manufacturing for mass production and work with the team to improve the designs until they reach cost targets and meet visual expectations.

Develop trend research and style guides for corporate clients, including color palettes and vector artwork for mass appeal.

Research market trends and utilize long tail strategy to create, manage, and market digital and Print-on-Demand product lines through multiple eCommerce platforms.

Use organic marketing techniques to scale several Zazzle shops with ongoing sales success and performance metrics approaching Gold Seller status.

Established and operate a successful Etsy shop with consistent sales and a 4.5-star customer rating. SRW ENTERPRISES INC, REMOTE/IVINS, UT MAY 2022 – PRESENT FREELANCE PRODUCT DESIGNER, INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND ILLUSTRATOR Design commercial consumer goods primarily in the craft activity space for both children’s and adult markets, creating seasonal products for retailers such as Target, and Home Shopping Network. DUO + 2, REMOTE/FLOWER MOUND, TX OCTOBER 2018 – MARCH 2025 FREELANCE PRODUCT DESIGNER, INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND ILLUSTRATOR Interpreted corporate design briefs to concept and develop seasonal product lines primarily in the children's toy, game and craft activity space for retailers such as Michael's, Wal-Mart, Jo-Ann's, Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Lidl. DARICE INC, REMOTE/STRONGSVILLE, OH NOVEMBER 2011 – FEBRUARY 2016 FREELANCE PRODUCT DESIGNER, INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND ILLUSTRATOR Worked on seasonal children’s 3D craft activity building kit products, made primarily from foam, chipboard and craft components. The kits were primarily sold at Michael’s. AVAIL & COMPANY (AVAIL COUTURE), EVANSTON, IL AUGUST 2005 – DECEMBER 2018 CO-FOUNDER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, AND CHIEF DESIGNER

Founded and co-owned a local brick and mortar retail and online business that created and sold wedding gowns. Grew from a tiny start-up side business, hand sewing each dress myself, to a growing business that expanded and included in house staff and establishing working relationships with overseas manufacturers for production.

Worked with my co-founder to develop and implement strategic business plans to guide the startup from conception to operational success.

Directed the day-to-day activities with the team across multiple areas, including retail store management, product design and development, product sourcing and manufacturing, and customer relations.

Directed the artistic vision of the company including branding, marketing and product design.

Hired, trained and mentored staff members both local and remote.

Created a complex system for the design and production of custom apparel designs, including overseas assembly and in house adjustments and alterations.

Created technical packs including patterns for apparel production, beadwork specifications and embroidery machine files.

Oversaw the development, implementation and maintenance of the company website, e -commerce platforms, marketing campaigns, sales processes, photoshoots, and fashion show events.

Created highly successful marketing campaigns on a small budget, primarily utilizing organic marketing techniques and long tail strategies, including building a Pinterest account that reached 11.2K followers and over 1 million monthly views.

Interfaced with custom dress clients to sell luxury gowns, walk them through the design process and bring their vision into reality.

Mastered, communicated and taught advanced sewing techniques on industrial sewing equipment, hand sewing, beadwork, embroidery, tailoring and professional fit techniques.

Grew and maintained a targeted Facebook audience of over 10K followers, leveraging the platform for cost-effective, organic promotion.

BIZPINS INC, ELGIN, IL OCTOBER 2006-JULY 2011

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN A small promotional products and jewelry company, focused on die struck metal items such as lapel pins and sewn goods. Served as the senior product designer, leading junior designers and interns. Also responsible for creative direction including product, catalog, trade show booth, advertising and photography.

Design original product concepts and create virtual illustrations for clients based on their branding and initiatives. Efforts have resulted in over 65% leading to full order placement.

Work one on one with customers to render accurate product specifications and utilize bill of materials to clearly communicate expectations between customers and overseas vendors for both stock and custom products.

Responsible for the development and implementation of corporate branding and marketing including catalogs, print materials, advertising, tradeshow displays, and press releases as well as collaborating with Information Technology on the development of internet programs and e-marketing.

Manage, develop, and coach a design assistant and summer intern.

Initiate and coordinate new product development using market research and analysis of previous sales. FIBRE CRAFT, NILES, IL APRIL 2003-OCTOBER 2006

GRAPHIC DESIGNER, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN

Consumer goods company focusing on craft and activity retailers. Started in the dolls department designing doll bodies, stuffed animals and doll clothing. Later promoted to work on craft activity kits, 3D Structure kits, foam products and craft basics.

Rebranded and redesigned a category showing declining sales and erosion of real estate at retail. Effort resulted in 30% increase in shipments over prior year and 50% increase at POS at retail, and maintained 2 1/2 foot plan-o-gram at major craft retailer.

Engineered and designed a new program in a declining category resulting in placement in three top retail accounts and exceeded budgeted sales number in year one.

Designed and developed new programs in a category that had shown flat sales for the previous 5 years. New products contributed to double digit growth and comprised 20% of total business in the category.

Responsible for the creation and implementation of next generation new product development/life cycle management process of assigned product lines to achieve corporate, brand, and segment goals for sales, profitability, and market share.

Remained current on popular culture, market trends, and cross market trends to assemble style guides for use on future products and utilize new product innovations.

Participated in and presented quarterly line reviews with the sales department to show new product and marketing initiatives, to garner feedback and to ensure plans are on-time and on-target.

Created product specifications and bill of materials that clearly communicated our expectations with overseas vendors. NEW CREATIVE ENTERPRISES, CHICAGO, IL JULY 2002-AUGUST 2003 SHOWROOM MANAGER

Directed and coordinated the daily operations of a home interior decor and a gift and garden showroom in the Chicago Merchandise Mart. Worked with design teams to prepare and merchandise the showroom for market and sales meetings. Traveled to showrooms in other cities to assist with their market.

Independently maintained communication and expectations with corporate headquarters.

Managed multiple showrooms and company personnel prior to and during showroom events.

Responsible for the hiring and training of temporary employees to assist with trade shows and sample sales.

Planned and implemented the use of the showroom budget and coordinated with outside contractors.

Exhibited product knowledge and secured accurate customer orders.

Organized semi-annual sample sale events and increased revenues from these events 40% by utilizing better merchandising and customer service

Worked on a visual merchandising team to create and implement the showroom layout and design.

Participated in and presented quarterly line reviews with the sales department to show new product and marketing initiatives, to garner feedback and to ensure plans are on-time and on-target.

Improved the overall efficiency of the showroom by implementing better organization methods and processes for company personnel to follow.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS, FASHION DESIGN, ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF ART AT CHICAGO, JUNE 2003 CONTINUED EDUCATION ON ALL ADOBE AND INDUSTRY PROGRAMS

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