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With 10 years’ experience in trend-led design and product development, I am a commercially driven product designer, working across global brands including Next PLC, M&S, Primark and The Very Group. I am an excellent communicator, presenting trend boards, seasonal plans and visual materials to senior management and stakeholders, balancing creativity and commerciality across all work. I love what I do, and I do it with great joy and endless exploration, and I am now looking for a role to challenge and excite me in the landscape of senior design and development.…With 10 years’ experience in trend-led design and product development, I am a commercially driven product designer, working across global brands including Next PLC, M&S, Primark and The Very Group. I am an excellent communicator, presenting trend boards, seasonal plans and visual materials to senior management and stakeholders, balancing creativity and commerciality across all work. I love what I do, and I do it with great joy and endless exploration, and I am now looking for a role to challenge and excite me in the landscape of senior design and development.

Kara Forrest

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With 10 years’ experience in trend-led design and product development, I am a commercially driven product designer, working across global brands including Next PLC, M&S, Primark and The Very Group. I am an excellent communicator, presenting trend boards, seasonal plans and visual materials to senior management and stakeholders, balancing creativity and commerciality across all work. I love what I do, and I do it with great joy and endless exploration, and I am now looking for a role to challenge and excite me in the landscape of senior design and development.…With 10 years’ experience in trend-led design and product development, I am a commercially driven product designer, working across global brands including Next PLC, M&S, Primark and The Very Group. I am an excellent communicator, presenting trend boards, seasonal plans and visual materials to senior management and stakeholders, balancing creativity and commerciality across all work. I love what I do, and I do it with great joy and endless exploration, and I am now looking for a role to challenge and excite me in the landscape of senior design and development.

Available to hire

With 10 years’ experience in trend-led design and product development, I am a commercially driven product designer, working across global brands including Next PLC, M&S, Primark and The Very Group. I am an excellent communicator, presenting trend boards, seasonal plans and visual materials to senior management and stakeholders, balancing creativity and commerciality across all work.

I love what I do, and I do it with great joy and endless exploration, and I am now looking for a role to challenge and excite me in the landscape of senior design and development.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Work Experience

Freelance Designer at Kara Anne Forrest Design

January 1, 2025 - Present

Providing a full design service from concept and trend boards through to colour palettes and technical design sheets; manages client liaison, accounts and business development.

Designer - Kidswear at The Very Group

January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2024

Building commercially driven ranges in collaboration with senior buyers and management; leading and supporting two Assistant Designers and freelance team; creating 2D and 3D CAD designs and technical packs for factories and garment makers; managing design meetings, including supplier and factory liaison; developing mood boards, design presentations, product designs and pitches; travelling overseas representing the brand and design department.

Design Consultant (Self-Employed) at Pearl Global

January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2023

Leading the design function for Next UK, Target and Kmart Australia across Girls Woven, Denim & Jersey Dresses; producing detailed technical packs, CAD range plans and market research; working across factories in India and Bangladesh to manage sampling and design processes, including overseas travel to quality assess new collections and fabrics; creating trend-led seasonal ranges, themes and collections, presented to Buyers and Clients for selection.

Senior Designer - Older Girls Jersey & Sports at Next plc

January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2019

Building commercially driven ranges for older girls Jersey & Sports; leading and supporting in-house Assistant Designer, freelance teams and graphic designers; creating 2D and 3D CAD designs and technical packs for factories and garment makers; managing the set-up and sign off of design meetings, including supplier and factory liaison; developing mood boards, product designs and pitches, informed by an in-depth understanding of modern design and changing trends; travelling overseas representing the brand and design department in materials sourcing.

Senior Assistant Designer - Older Girls Woven at Next plc

January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2018

Creating seasonal collections and products in collaboration with Senior Designers and Buyers; producing comprehensive CAD designs, commercial sketches and technical packs; operating seasonally with departmental deadlines and supplier liaison paramount.

Assistant Designer - Newborn Girls, Unisex & Girls at Next plc

January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2017

Collaborating with Senior Designer and Buyers to build multi-product ranges and collections; developing complex 2D and 3D CADs, detailed sketches and technical packs; travelling overseas to inform and design multi-product ranges, sourcing fabrics and inspiration.