I'm Kate Draper, a product designer and textile designer who blends artful print DNA with practical production knowledge. I translate trend research into cohesive stories across textiles, soft goods, and apparel, delivering production-ready art, tech packs, and scalable color palettes. Over more than a decade I have led art direction, crafted hundreds of original prints, and collaborated with mills and factories to ensure quality and on-time delivery. I thrive in fast-paced cross-functional teams and enjoy mentoring junior designers while driving brand-defining collections.…

Kate Draper

I'm Kate Draper, a product designer and textile designer who blends artful print DNA with practical production knowledge. I translate trend research into cohesive stories across textiles, soft goods, and apparel, delivering production-ready art, tech packs, and scalable color palettes. Over more than a decade I have led art direction, crafted hundreds of original prints, and collaborated with mills and factories to ensure quality and on-time delivery. I thrive in fast-paced cross-functional teams and enjoy mentoring junior designers while driving brand-defining collections.…

Available to hire

I’m Kate Draper, a product designer and textile designer who blends artful print DNA with practical production knowledge. I translate trend research into cohesive stories across textiles, soft goods, and apparel, delivering production-ready art, tech packs, and scalable color palettes.

Over more than a decade I have led art direction, crafted hundreds of original prints, and collaborated with mills and factories to ensure quality and on-time delivery. I thrive in fast-paced cross-functional teams and enjoy mentoring junior designers while driving brand-defining collections.

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Skills

Experience Level

Work Experience

Assistant Designer - Private Label Swimwear at Oceanfront / A.H. Schreiber Co.
March 1, 2011 - March 1, 2011
Created detailed and stylistic illustrations, flat sketches and technical CADs for production. Updated style pages and line sheets each season. Developed 3-D hardware and embroidery designs utilizing CAD software. Managed seasonal libraries, including prints, color palettes and fabrics. Collaborated with production partners to ensure stitch quality, layout, and accuracy on print & embroidery.
Associate Print Designer - Dresses at Ali Ro / Donna Morgan
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2012
Created production-ready original artwork and colorways, applying seasonal successes. Developed trend boards and seasonal color palettes based on bestsellers and trend research. Communicated with mills to ensure correct production, gave color and execution feedback. Translated vintage and bought artworks into color-reduced, in-repeat layouts.
Senior CAD Designer - Charter Club RTW & Accessories at Macy’s
September 1, 2016 - September 1, 2016
Provided creative direction for and managed the design and production of a full range of textile designs. Created original, brand-defining and innovative art, oftentimes under tight deadlines. Quickly built high volume, quality original art for multiple areas that consistently drove sales. Consistently met with and presented to cross-functional partners in the pursuit of compelling product. Developed cohesive collections across multiple product categories (Pima tees, wovens, sweaters) consistently building hundreds of original prints and patterns across 14+ seasonal assortments annually.
Art Manager - Croft & Barrow RTW; Women’s Sleep at KOHL’S
August 1, 2017 - August 1, 2017
Led the creation and production of compelling original patterns and graphics for 5 distinct brands. Established direction, set priorities, allocated work, and developed a team of 7 artists. Managed calendar deadlines, forecasted and tracked art workload every season according to line plan. Ensured that art met line plans, assortment strategies, price points, and overall creative direction. Influenced cross-functional leadership to adopt innovation and align on direction.
Textile & Product Designer CONTRACT & FREELANCE ROLES at Freelance / Various Clients
September 1, 2017 - November 14, 2025
Contract & freelance work across runway trend research, CAD-based production artwork, hand painting and sketching motifs; designed paper goods and typography-guided layouts; managed multiple projects with deadlines.
Design Project Manager - Nursery Interiors Collections at Lambs & Ivy
August 1, 2024 - August 1, 2024
Developed seasonal trends into successful product with a focus on color, print and material. Coordinated and manage the development and approval needs of all product. Designed and present new items based on line plan and market analysis, contributing to all collections. Created detailed spec files for accurate and efficient production of intricate applique, embroidery and trim. Partnered with factories to ensure print, embroidery, stitch quality, placement, color accuracy, etc.
Assistant Designer - Private Label Swimwear at Oceanfront | A.H. SCHREIBER CO.
May 1, 2010 - March 31, 2011
Created detailed and stylistic illustrations, flat sketches and technical CADs for production. Completed and updated style pages and line sheets for each season. Developed 3-D hardware and embroidery designs utilizing CAD software. Managed all seasonal libraries, including prints, color palettes and fabrics. Collaborated with production partners to ensure stitch quality, layout, and accuracy on print & embroidery.
Associate Print Designer - Dresses at Ali Ro | Donna Morgan
March 1, 2011 - January 31, 2012
Created production-ready original artwork and colorways, applying seasonal successes. Developed trend boards and seasonal color palettes based on bestsellers and trend research. Communicated with mills to ensure correct production, gave color and execution feedback. Translated vintage and bought artworks into color-reduced, in-repeat layouts.
Senior CAD Designer - Charter Club RTW & Accessories at Macy’s
April 1, 2012 - September 30, 2016
Provided creative direction for and managed the design and production of a full range of textile designs. Created original, brand-defining and innovative art, oftentimes under tight deadlines. Quickly built high volume, quality original art for multiple areas that consistently drove sales. Consistently met with and presented to cross-functional partners in the pursuit of compelling product. Developed cohesive collections across multiple product categories (Pima tees, wovens, sweaters) consistently building hundreds of original prints and patterns across 14+ seasonal assortments annually.
Art Manager - Croft & Barrow RTW; Women’s Sleep at KOHL’S
October 1, 2016 - August 31, 2017
Directed original art development for 5 distinct private brands, ensuring alignment with seasonal strategies and pricing architecture. Managed and coached a team of 7 artists, setting priorities and ensuring all deadlines were met. Influenced cross-functional partners including merchants, sourcing, fabric teams to adopt new design concepts and innovation opportunities. Oversaw workload planning, line plan alignment, and seasonal art delivery across categories. Ensured that art met line plans, assortment strategies, price points, and overall creative direction.
Senior Textile & Product Designer CONTRACT & FREELANCE ROLES
September 1, 2017 - Present
Produce original artwork, motifs, and repeat patterns for home textiles, apparel, activewear, uniforms, stationery, kids, and interiors. Conduct trend, market, and runway research to build seasonal palettes and design stories. Hand-sketch and paint motifs, then refine and digitize artwork into production-ready files with clean repeats and color separations. Deliver fully built tech packs, ensuring clarity for mills and printers. Collaborate with clients on brand direction, line planning, and design strategy. Successfully manage multiple projects with shifting timelines and priorities.
Design Project Manager - Nursery Interiors Collections at Lambs & Ivy
February 1, 2019 - August 31, 2024
Led the design and development of seasonal nursery collections with a focus on color, print, pattern, and material innovation. Translated trend research into cohesive product stories across textiles, décor, and soft goods. Created detailed spec sheets, embroidery layouts, appliqué files, and technical art packages to ensure accurate production. Partnered daily with factories to review and resolve print, stitching, applique, placement, and color accuracy. Presented new concepts to leadership and cross-functional teams, driving alignment on creative direction. Managed a fast-moving development calendar and approval process across multiple categories.
Senior Textile & Product Designer (Contract & Freelance) at Various Clients
September 1, 2017 - Present
Produce original artwork, motifs, and repeat patterns for home textiles, apparel, activewear, uniforms, stationery, kids, and interiors. Conduct trend, market, and runway research to build seasonal palettes and design stories. Hand-sketch and paint motifs, then refine and digitize artwork into production-ready files with clean repeats and color separations. Deliver fully built tech packs, ensuring clarity for mills and printers. Collaborate with clients on brand direction, line planning, and design strategy. Manage multiple projects with shifting timelines and priorities.

Education

BA at University of Minnesota
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2007
AAS at Parsons School for Design
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2009
BA at University of Minnesota
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2007
AAS at Parsons School for Design
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2009
BA Art Direction & Spanish at University of Minnesota
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2007
AAS Fashion Design at Parsons School for Design
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2009

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

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

Skills

Experience Level