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I’m Heather Jacobs, a graphic designer specializing in apparel graphics and print art with 10+ years of experience creating original, production-ready artwork for apparel and soft goods. I focus on vector-based illustration, placement graphics, and print development designed specifically for screen printing and garment production. I have a deep understanding of scale, color limitations, separations, strike-offs, and translating prints from screen to fabric. I collaborate directly with founders, cross-functional teams, and domestic and international manufacturers to bring concept-driven collections from sketch to final product. I lead design strategy and art direction for international mills, supporting brand growth and successful client acquisitions through concept-driven output and meticulous execution.…I’m Heather Jacobs, a graphic designer specializing in apparel graphics and print art with 10+ years of experience creating original, production-ready artwork for apparel and soft goods. I focus on vector-based illustration, placement graphics, and print development designed specifically for screen printing and garment production. I have a deep understanding of scale, color limitations, separations, strike-offs, and translating prints from screen to fabric. I collaborate directly with founders, cross-functional teams, and domestic and international manufacturers to bring concept-driven collections from sketch to final product. I lead design strategy and art direction for international mills, supporting brand growth and successful client acquisitions through concept-driven output and meticulous execution.

Heather Jacobs

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I’m Heather Jacobs, a graphic designer specializing in apparel graphics and print art with 10+ years of experience creating original, production-ready artwork for apparel and soft goods. I focus on vector-based illustration, placement graphics, and print development designed specifically for screen printing and garment production. I have a deep understanding of scale, color limitations, separations, strike-offs, and translating prints from screen to fabric. I collaborate directly with founders, cross-functional teams, and domestic and international manufacturers to bring concept-driven collections from sketch to final product. I lead design strategy and art direction for international mills, supporting brand growth and successful client acquisitions through concept-driven output and meticulous execution.…I’m Heather Jacobs, a graphic designer specializing in apparel graphics and print art with 10+ years of experience creating original, production-ready artwork for apparel and soft goods. I focus on vector-based illustration, placement graphics, and print development designed specifically for screen printing and garment production. I have a deep understanding of scale, color limitations, separations, strike-offs, and translating prints from screen to fabric. I collaborate directly with founders, cross-functional teams, and domestic and international manufacturers to bring concept-driven collections from sketch to final product. I lead design strategy and art direction for international mills, supporting brand growth and successful client acquisitions through concept-driven output and meticulous execution.

Available to hire

I’m Heather Jacobs, a graphic designer specializing in apparel graphics and print art with 10+ years of experience creating original, production-ready artwork for apparel and soft goods. I focus on vector-based illustration, placement graphics, and print development designed specifically for screen printing and garment production. I have a deep understanding of scale, color limitations, separations, strike-offs, and translating prints from screen to fabric.

I collaborate directly with founders, cross-functional teams, and domestic and international manufacturers to bring concept-driven collections from sketch to final product. I lead design strategy and art direction for international mills, supporting brand growth and successful client acquisitions through concept-driven output and meticulous execution.

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Surface Pattern Design

Illustration

Product Design

Experience Level

Adobe Illustrator

Expert

Adobe Photoshop

Expert

Surface Pattern Design

Expert

Illustration

Expert

Product Design

Expert

Adobe InDesign

Intermediate

Work Experience

Senior Print and Surface Designer at Jacobs Design Co.

April 1, 2017 - Present

Lead trend and competitive research to define seasonal print direction, palettes, and assortment strategies; translate insights into original, commercially viable prints; develop print and pattern across multiple categories (women's, kids', accessories, soft/hard home, and pet); ensure scale, repeat, and production-readiness; collaborate with domestic and international manufacturers for strike-off approvals and bulk production; support client acquisitions through design strategy and art direction to mills.

Senior Designer at Kohl's Department Stores, Inc

September 1, 2012 - May 1, 2017

Led print and pattern development for private-label and licensed bedding and soft goods brands (~$500M annual sales); partnered with Women’s and Kids apparel teams and license brands (Disney, Lucas/Star Wars) to share, recolor, and scale prints across categories; translated prints to garment silhouettes, décor, and home goods; adapted print scale, repeat, and color for multiple applications while preserving brand identity and commercial viability; led cross-functional sessions to drive innovation and meet deadlines and sales goals.

Senior Artist at Kohl's Department Stores, Inc

August 1, 2008 - September 1, 2012

Created original print and pattern repeats, placed graphics, typography, and color palettes across product categories; developed production-ready artwork and internal training curriculum for textile design workflows in Illustrator and Photoshop; supported cross-category print adaptation (woven constructions, plaids) and ensured repeat integrity and color accuracy.

Guest Instructor at MIAD, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

September 1, 2008 - April 1, 2017

Instructed junior and senior level courses including Pattern Design & Licensing and Professional Practices for Designers; developed curriculum connecting students with industry professionals and guiding portfolio work relevant to textile and surface design industry.

Senior Print & Surface Designer at Jacobs Design Co.

April 20, 2017 - Present

Lead design strategy and production-ready artwork for apparel graphics and seasonal collections. Conduct trend and competitive research to inform print direction, palettes, and assortment strategies; translate insights into original, commercially viable prints across women's, kids, accessories, soft home, hard home, home decor, and pet product categories. Develop production-ready, mill-ready files and maintain placement integrity while collaborating with founders, cross-functional teams, and domestic/international manufacturers for strike-off reviews and approvals. Lead international partnerships with mills including Sun Yin (China) and Reed & Pick (India) to support client growth and successful acquisitions.

Senior Designer at Kohl's Department Stores, Inc

September 1, 2008 - September 1, 2012

Led print and pattern development for private-label and licensed bedding and soft goods brands. (Note: consecutive Kohl's roles reflect ongoing leadership in private-label and licensed product development across categories.)

Guest Instructor at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD)

September 20, 2008 - April 20, 2017

Instructed junior and senior level courses in Pattern Design & Licensing and Professional Practices for Designers. Developed a curriculum that included design challenges provided by local companies, guiding students to connect with industry professionals and create portfolio work relevant to the textile and surface design industries.