Cynthia Alvarez
Freelance Product Design and Development Designer/Manager · Xiamen Xubang Artwork Factory
Whittier, CA
In My Own Words
Forward-thinking and organized Product Designer/Development Manager with more than 15 years of experience in creating innovative products and managing cost-effective operations. Extensive experience in managing the complete development lifecycle – from inception through final product release, including partnering with inventors and vendors – for soft and hard goods in the Apparel, Toy, Seasonal Home and Commercial Décor industries. Utilize extensive art education and current trend expertise to create fresh looks while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Resilient with a creative vision to drive product aesthetic and high-tech innovation into future product lines. Skilled at communicating and working with head designers, engineers, model makers, buyers, packaging and planners to execute concepts and then with offshore operations on production. Detail-oriented and skilled at working rapidly but effectively and at devising cost- and time-saving ideas.
Work Experience
Freelance Product Design and Development Designer/Manager
Xiamen Xubang Artwork Factory2015 – Present
Consistently met product delivery schedules by managing the development lifecycle for this manufacturer of giftware, garden and home décor. Research products, create sketches and prototypes and produce final designs. Refine designs working with product managers and oversee production of final products. Work directly with the Chinese factory on new designs from concept through production. Streamlined the design and development process that reduced costs by 35% and time-to-market to meet tight deadlines. Strategically elevated the brand and category for the European market by infusing creativity among the team to maintain a fresh and current approach to product design and development.
Product Development Designer
MGA Entertainment Inc.2014 – 2015
Created attractive, functional and age-appropriate products for this manufacturer of toys, dolls, molded play-sets and accessories. Led development of the Lalaloopsy Mini Dolls and Play-sets, working with current trends to increase innovation. Partnered with Design and Marketing to ensure product manufacturability and achieve cost and profit margin goals. Played critical role in generating innovative and creative concepts for the development of complete 3D products for the Mini Lalaloopsy Mini Dolls that have sold 17 million worldwide since launch. Worked directly with Hong Kong and China on all phases of development to ensure timely customer delivery.
Product Design and Development Designer
Barcana Inc.2005 – 2014
Manage all product design and development for this manufacturer of PE/PVC Trees, fiberglass LIVE FORM, shatterproof ornaments, illuminated fiberglass and all greenery items. Work directly with China, traveling quarterly to ensure quality standards and production deadlines were met. Promoted products by creating the design layouts for showroom displays. Supervised the set up of showrooms. Some LIVE FORM products, such as Toy Soldiers, Nutcracker and Santa Chair have appeared in Christmas movies, variety shows, talk shows and at malls and in magazines, creating exposure that generates demand. Increased sales and the customer base by partnering with Disney and Universal studios to design seasonal themes that created cohesive looks for the theme parks globally, resulting in referrals for similar customized designs. Grew the business by more than 30% by designing and launching a new spring line of outdoor natural palms and Illuminated pots that opened up a new market.
Product Design and Development Manager
Mattel, Inc.1999 – 2004
Led design and development for this toy and play-set manufacturer, specifically the Cali Girl, My Scene, Fairytopia, World Fashion Fever dolls, Fashion Avenue, Direct Import Barbie Fashions, and Barbie & Me Role Play. Managed the day-to-day art direction and execution with the design team, implementing and communicating the creative vision to support marketing objectives of the brand. Collaborated with the Design Director to translate brand and segment strategy for the design team. Worked directly with Hong Kong and China on product development. Managed a cross-functional team of 16 designers and model makers in the U.S. and China, directing activities to ensure innovation, strategic alignment, manaufacturability and profitability of the products and meet Global design and development process guidelines. Cut costs and reduced time-to-market and overhead by streamlining the Mattel Asia Pacific Sourcing (MAPS) design and development process. This process was adapted by the rest.
Partner/Designer
Little Man Clothing Co.1995 – 1999
In charge of all creative design/merchandising, production and packaging development. Effectively scheduled work and resolved all internal problems; ensured on-time/accurate work; including duplicate sales lines. Source fabric/trims/findings; negotiate price with vendors; handle cost sheets and all other paperwork.
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