I’m a Creative Design Manager with 18+ years’ experience in greetings and surface pattern design for leading UK retailers. I specialise in trend-led, commercially successful ranges and leading multi-disciplinary creative teams. I’m passionate about mentoring emerging talent, translating insights into high-performing products, and driving innovation across branding, print and product design. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy collaborating across multiple client accounts to deliver cohesive, market-ready solutions.

Gurinder Bahia

I’m a Creative Design Manager with 18+ years’ experience in greetings and surface pattern design for leading UK retailers. I specialise in trend-led, commercially successful ranges and leading multi-disciplinary creative teams. I’m passionate about mentoring emerging talent, translating insights into high-performing products, and driving innovation across branding, print and product design. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy collaborating across multiple client accounts to deliver cohesive, market-ready solutions.

Available to hire

I’m a Creative Design Manager with 18+ years’ experience in greetings and surface pattern design for leading UK retailers. I specialise in trend-led, commercially successful ranges and leading multi-disciplinary creative teams.

I’m passionate about mentoring emerging talent, translating insights into high-performing products, and driving innovation across branding, print and product design. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy collaborating across multiple client accounts to deliver cohesive, market-ready solutions.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Founder | Creative Director at Eastern Print Studio
January 1, 2018 - November 3, 2025
Founded Eastern Print Studio in 2018, launching an Eastern-inspired greeting cards and gifting line for ethnic markets. Built and managed an e-commerce store, developed marketing channels, and produced daily content to drive engagement and sales. Exhibited at trade fairs to build customer relationships, and oversaw branding, technical development, costing, and sourcing, including FSC-certified local printing. Expanded reach by establishing wholesale presence across multiple platforms.
Freelance Creative Management (Greetings) at Hallmark
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2017
Completed full CDP from concept to technical delivery, supporting development of innovative and commercial card ranges aligned with evolving consumer needs. Helped meet tight deadlines, ensuring ranges were accurately specified and costed to achieve target margins. Collaborated with retail, product, and technical teams to maintain clarity and consistency. Produced trend boards and provided creative and technical input across multiple accounts (e.g., Clintons, Tesco, Morrisons, Debenhams, Co-op, M&S, Paperchase, Poundland). Managed freelancer sourcing and budgets.
Design Manager | Tigerprint (Greetings) at Hallmark
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015
Led development of innovative and commercial greeting card ranges for Hallmark and Tigerprint. Delivered projects to tight deadlines, ensuring all ranges were accurately specified, costed, and aligned with margins. Collaborated with retail, product, and technical teams to maintain consistency. Drew inspiration from key trends, produced trend boards, and conducted competitor reporting. Sourced and managed freelance artists and budgets; mentored designers; revitalised archive concepts into new, market-ready products.
Textile Print Designer (Apparel) at Crystal Martin International
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2009
Translated catwalk trends into commercially viable prints for M&S customer base. Delivered high-quality prints to tight specifications and deadlines, combining hand-drawn artwork with CAD to create on-brand ranges for high-street retail.
Print Designer / Trend Researcher (Placement) at Amsterstampa Studio
February 1, 2007 - February 1, 2007
Placement role focused on print design and trend research to support product development.
Graphic / Print Designer (4-Week Placement) at Keeler Gordon, London
April 30, 2006 - April 30, 2006
Short placement developing graphic/print designs and supporting senior designers.

Education

BA (Hons) Textile Design, 2:1 at Nottingham Trent University
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2006
BTEC National Diploma in Art & Design at Leeds College of Art & Design
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2003
A Levels – Art & Design, Sociology, Theatre Studies at Tapton 6th Form, Sheffield
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2002
GCSEs – 9 subjects, grades A–C at Tapton Secondary School, Sheffield
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 2000

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Retail, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Manufacturing