Updated designs for seasonal home decor products; remote work; used Illustrator to design and update seasonal home decor products, including wall decor, table decor, and party decor.

Product Designer at Fancy That Gift and Decor

August 1, 2017 - June 1, 2018

Designed and developed various beach/nautical-themed home decor products; full-time remote from home; used Photoshop and Illustrator.

Product Designer / Illustrator at Gerson International

September 1, 2012 - November 1, 2016

Designed and developed new indoor and outdoor seasonal decor products; remote work; used Photoshop and Illustrator; developed theme boards and seasonal catalogs; visited the Gerson office for inspiration and feedback.

Senior Product Designer/Developer at Heys USA

November 1, 2011 - August 1, 2012

Designed and developed new luggage products and accessories for Kids Division; collaborated with overseas manufacturers; created original artwork for luggage linings and placed trademarks; toured Disney studios and met with Disney Consumer Products.

Designer at Artico International Trading Co.

April 1, 2005 - January 1, 2011

Designer for retail stores products including melamine and ceramic dinnerware, clothing, polymer resin and resin statue items; remote work; used Photoshop, Painter, and/or Illustrator to draft product ideas; presented designs to manufacturers; created line art; visited Disney/retail partners for inspiration.

Designer at Four Star Group

October 1, 1999 - December 1, 2004

Designer for retail stores products including seasonal decor, dinnerware, outdoor furniture and accessories; developed new products from initial idea to final design for major chains (Dollar Tree, CVS, Walgreens, Joanne Fabrics, QVC, Family Dollar, etc.); created pattern art and packaging concepts.

Author & Illustrator at Self-Published

March 2, 2010 - Present

Author and illustrator of Hickory Woods Adventures; published March 2010; wrote and illustrated a 136-page children's book; produced related merchandise and promotional artwork.

Part-time Art Teacher

June 1, 2009 - June 1, 2012

Taught basic drawing skills, color theory, and Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator to small groups ranging from children to adults.

Part-time Art Teacher

May 1, 2017 - July 1, 2017

Taught basic drawing and art fundamentals to groups; continued engagement through July 2017.

Designer at Artico International Trading Co. (Freelance / Retail Projects)

January 1, 1998 - Present

Ongoing freelance work designing retail products and art assets; collaborated with manufacturers and brands; produced art for multiple client lines.

Product Designer/ Illustrator at Gerson International

September 1, 2012 - November 1, 2016

Designed and developed new indoor and outdoor seasonal decor products; remote work from home; used Photoshop and Illustrator; researched ideas, designed for manufacture in Chinese factories, and placed products in the seasonal catalog; visited the company office and gathered inspiration; created mood boards and theme boards; attended Atlanta Gift Show.

Senior Product Designer/Developer - Kids Division at Heys USA

November 1, 2011 - August 1, 2012

Designed and developed new luggage products and accessories for children; collaborated with overseas manufacturers; communicated with Disney, Thomas the Train, and Hello Kitty; used Mac to design original artwork for luggage and repeat patterns for lining; created design sheets with UPCs, hang tags, packaging, and sizes; traveled to Glendale, CA to discuss projects with Disney and attended Disney-related events.

Author and Illustrator at Xulon Press

March 1, 2010 - March 1, 2010

Published a children's book Hickory Woods Adventures, Waiting for a Bubble (March 2010); wrote and illustrated the 136-page chapter book; self-published; book sold on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Xulon Press.