Danielle Johnson
Graphic Designer & CAD Artist · The WCN Group
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
In My Own Words
Highly skilled and detailed apparel designer with 9+ years of experience in creative design. Thorough grasp of the conceptual and technical aspects necessary to line development, including merchandising, graphic art, print/pattern, technical design, and product development. Proven ability to collaborate with factories, buyers, production, and brand managers to develop apparel/accessory lines that seamlessly integrate brand and target demographic demands.
Work Experience
Graphic Designer & CAD Artist
The WCN Group2017 – Present
- Presented emerging trends, gave artwork direction, and executed unique graphics for men’s and women’s product. - Sketched fresh silhouettes, executed linesheets for licensed and private label programs, and generated thorough mill sheets.
Freelance Designer
Sock & Accessory Brands Global2017 – 2017
- Worked remotely to interpret relevant trends, create original graphics/textile prints, and re-color/modify existing graphics for John Deere girl baby, toddler, and child cut & sew knit product. - Sketched and designed new silhouettes and for the upcoming season, proposed an updated merchandise plan, and assembled comprehensive tech packs/mill sheets for the finalized line.
Assistant Merchandiser & Designer
Sock & Accessory Brands Global2014 – 2017
- Designed an array of products for the John Deere kids license, including layette, tops, outerwear, pajamas, and accessories. - Consistently shopped the retail environment to analyze competition and determine trends. - Directed our graphic artists to develop artwork and prints that embodied the John Deere lifestyle. - Spearheaded new silhouette development each season by sketching all new bodies, contributing in fit sessions, resolving construction issues, measuring incoming samples, and finalizing garment specs. - Managed the approval process with the John Deere licensor. Ensured that all lab dips, strikeoffs, and top of production samples sent to John Deere exceeded brand expectations. - Participated in lifestyle photoshoots and set up our seasonal market catalog for mailings and sales presentations. - Developed the majority of tech packs; sized art and called out screenprint details for 150-250 sku's each season. - Trained new employees and helped manage their workloads.
Freelance Designer
Nohi Kids2014 – 2015
- Collaborated remotely on Nohi Kids and NKtoo, two organic and environmentally conscious children’s brands. - Created trend boards, original graphic art, prints, flat sketches, and cads for 6-8 collections annually. - Constructed detailed artwork packages, construction pages, and garment specs for each finalized assortment.
Freelance CAD & Print Designer
Hanesbrands Inc.2014 – 2014
- Developed spot art, well balanced pattern repeats, and cads for Hanes’ girls and womens intimate apparel. - Researched current graphic trends and assembled full scale trend presentations. - Headed pattern development for an online national research study. Re-vamped existing prints and designed original artwork to develop a pool of over 100 merchandised girls panty prints for the survey.
Associate Designer
Garan Inc.2013 – 2013
- Responsible for designing and managing line development for several girls 4-16 programs at Walmart. - Prepared and executed trend/competitive analysis reports and line presentations to management and executives. - Assisted in presentations to clients, including the buyer/product development teams at Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville. - Directed large scale meetings with graphics team, sketched flats, and assembled linesheets for respective programs. - Worked with technical design team and our patternmaker on specing, proto development, and fit approvals. - Successfully implemented improved proto making process to optimize efficiency in the sample making room. - Collaborated with head of production to facilitate the timely arrival of trims and fabrics for local sample making; gave color and technique comments to improve received strikeoffs to production ready stage. - Managed two interns by assigning responsibilities, teaching technical skills, and communicating company standards.
Assistant Designer
Topsville Inc.2012 – 2013
- Designed product for newborn, infant/toddler, 2-6x, and 7-16 girls for Walmart, K-mart, Lord and Taylor, Stage, Peebles, and other private label brands. - Prepared trend boards, sketched flats for multiple sizes, re-colored artwork, and assembled cads to tell a cohesive story. - Configured detailed art sheets for sampling/production and uploaded art sheets on shared servers.
Assistant Designer
The Isfel Company2008 – 2012
- Worked with several designers on toddler, 4-6x, and 7-16 girls product for Walmart, K-mart, and our private label programs. - Prepared trend boards, sketched flats, created original artwork, and caded up bodies with well merchandised art/color stories. - Developed detailed tech packs calling out garment fabrication, construction, and colorations. - Directed and oversaw local sample development in close collaboration with the technical design and patternmaking teams. - Attended fittings and delivered constructive feedback to improve product aesthetics and functionality. - Managed seasonal color palettes for each brand, including ordering color standards, making physical cards, and digitally calibrating color palettes to our printers.
Education
Professional Certificate
Manufacturing Solutions Center at the Catawba Valley Community College2015 – 2015
Professional Certificate
Semester of Studying Abroad
University of the Arts, London College of Fashion2006 – 2006
Semester of Studying Abroad
Interests
Industries
Activity
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