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Hi! I am Gary Stephens. My experience ranges from fashion design and illustration, textile design and visual merchandising to graphic art, traditional illustration and typography, and sign art. My education focuses on Fashion Design- I hold both bachelors and master’s degrees in Apparel Design from Ball State University (2004, 2006).…

Gary Duane Stephens Jr.

Artist, Book Cover Designer, Concept Artist, +7

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Hi! I am Gary Stephens. My experience ranges from fashion design and illustration, textile design and visual merchandising to graphic art, traditional illustration and typography, and sign art. My education focuses on Fashion Design- I hold both bachelors and master’s degrees in Apparel Design from Ball State University (2004, 2006).…

Available to hire

Hi! I am Gary Stephens. My experience ranges from fashion design and illustration, textile design and visual merchandising to graphic art, traditional illustration and typography, and sign art. My education focuses on Fashion Design- I hold both bachelors and master’s degrees in Apparel Design from Ball State University (2004, 2006).

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Work Experience

Visiting Faculty at University of Miami of Ohio

August 1, 2025 - Present

Prepare and teach online fashion courses; manage online classroom environment; track attendance; grade and submit mid-term and final grades.

Visual Merchandiser / Graphic Artist at Market District

April 1, 2024 - Present

Design and create in-store signage (promotional, navigational, informational, permanent, semi-permanent); develop digital collateral; create monthly merchandising directives; collaborate with department leaders; design artwork for signage.

Visual Merchandiser at Nordstrom

October 1, 2021 - Present

Create striking visual displays to market and promote current fashion; process new merchandise on the sales floor; build floor plans; take department and display photographs; design and implement vignettes and floorsets; manage lighting; assist with holiday and special events; train department associates.

Senior Fashion Designer at Liyan McAteer, LLC

July 1, 2021 - October 1, 2021

Identify and tailor fashion, textile, color, and styling trends for a vintage-inspired line; source vintage items; illustrate full women's line; build tech packs and coordinate production; travel to trade shows; collaborate on design development with patternmaker and CEO; source fabrics, trims, and factories.

Boutique Manager at Trends for Tails Resale Boutique (Humane Society for Hamilton County)

May 1, 2019 - October 1, 2020

Supervised 30-35 volunteers and staff; managed store operations, banking, and promotions; increased sales through targeted promotions and pop-up markets; managed merchandise flow, floor sets, and visual displays; developed marketing plans; built relationships with local businesses and nonprofits; coordinated photography/content for social media.

Academic Director of Design at The Art Institute of Indianapolis

February 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018

Led faculty across Fashion, Graphic and Web Design and Interior Design; developed curricula; conducted classroom observations and performance reviews; scheduled classes; advised students; chaired Institutional Effectiveness Committee; campus trainer for Bright Space LMS.

Coordinator of Fashion Programs / Instructor at The Art Institute of Indianapolis

January 1, 2007 - February 1, 2018

Developed curriculum and taught courses in Textile Science, Surface Design, Textile Application, Digital Textile Design, Retailing and History of Fashion, Fashion Illustration, Technical Design, Production Processes, Concept Development; supervised Beau Monde student organization; organized field trips and study abroad; supervised faculty; participated in committee work.

Instructor at Ball State University

January 1, 2005 - May 1, 2006

Taught three sections of Textiles for Apparel; lectured, led labs, created/evaluated assignments; supervised student work in labs.

Graduate Assistant at Ball State University, Beeman Historic Costume Collection

August 1, 2005 - May 1, 2006

Documented and dated historic costume; installed objects in exhibitions; cared for and managed objects; operated Panorama Museum Collection Software; assisted students with assignments; Exhibitions included The History of Professional Dress and The Changing Silhouette of Twentieth Century Costume.

Teaching Assistant at Ball State University, Family and Consumer Sciences, Fashion Programs

August 1, 2004 - May 1, 2005

Assisted fashion professors with courses; supported sewing labs; helped students with assignments.

Research Assistant at Ball State University

May 1, 2004 - August 1, 2004

Assisted with research for an instructional program about professional dress in the workplace for Work One in Muncie, IN; presented the program to participants.

Intern / CAD Illustrator at Bartlett Corporation

May 1, 2003 - October 1, 2003

CAD illustration (CorelDraw); pattern design (Gerber software); instructed sewing technicians; created spreadsheets.

Assistant Manager at Book Warehouse

October 1, 2003 - March 1, 2004

Trained employees; opening/closing procedures; processed shipments; inventory; created displays; shipping and receiving; assisted in final store closing.

Store Manager at Van Heusen Direct

September 1, 2000 - December 1, 2002

Trained employees; scheduling; shipping and receiving; created displays; opening and closing procedures; organized and executed store closing.

Owner / Designer at Ganesha & Gary

July 1, 2009 - July 1, 2014

Sourcing materials; designing and creating scarves, textiles, and clothing (indigo, shibori, cross-dyeing, resist dyed); jewelry; participation in juried art festivals and shows.

Owner at Sacre Cour Vintage Clothing

September 1, 2004 - January 1, 2014

Bought stock; photographed items; listed items in online auctions; customer service; shipping and receiving.