Gerard Smith
Founder · GPS DESIGN STUDIO
Portland, OR
In My Own Words
I'm Gerard, founder and design director of GPS Design Studio, I help premium hunting and outdoor brands by elevating their apparel through design, materials and innovation.
With 20+ years in the apparel industry, 4 as a freelancer, I’ve helped multiple outdoor and hunting brands bring their concepts and ideas to life.
Clients and previous brands include: Argali, Bass Pro, KLIM, Heads & Hides, Cabelas, Columbia Sportswear, Icebreaker, Berghaus.
I break down the phases to help you reach your brands apparel goals, drive innovation and increase revenue.
Services include: ✅ Creative/ Design direction ✅ Concept creation ✅ Apparel design and development ✅ Innovation strategy and tiering ✅ Factory-ready tech packs ✅ Product line planning ✅ Sample development ✅ Color direction
Now, I'm eager to partner with premium outdoor and hunting brands on a freelance basis, bringing my expertise in technical outerwear to your projects.
Let's discuss how I can help elevate your next collection.
Feel free to connect via LinkedIn DM or 📧 gerard@gpsdesignstudio.com
Work Experience
Founder | Director Of Product Design | Design Consultant
GPS DESIGN STUDIO2021 – Present
•Bringing Design Strategy, Advanced Concepts/ Innovation and Apparel Design to forward thinking Brands in the Outdoor/ Hunting and Fishing industries. •Clients include: Argali, Bass Pro, Cabelas, KLIM, Heads & Hides
Design Director
An Ultralight Hunting Brand2022 – 2023
• Leading design for the world's premier ultralight hunting brand. • Set overall design and innovation direction in the conceptual development of product lines, key product design trends, and implementation of the design aesthetic across the product portfolio. • Color Palette Direction and Evolution.
Senior Designer III - Titanium
Columbia Sportswear Company2018 – 2020
Leading design for Columbia Sportswear's premium Titanium collection for all Outerwear and Sportswear.
Senior Designer III - Europe
Columbia Sportswear Company2017 – 2018
•Leading design for Outerwear and Sportswear for Mens/Women's and Youth for the European Market •Increased adoption rate for new designs accelerated growth rates for EMEA 10%+
Senior Global Product Designer
Icebreaker Nature Clothing Inc2009 – 2017
•Ability to lead long term creative strategy and seasonal product line whilst increasing sales targets. •Managing innovation platforms and prototyping across all product range categories. •Inspire other team members by managing best practices, positive attitude and sound judgment •Initiating global consumer insights and market research to drive product focus. •Presentations to global sales teams, distributors and external audiences.
Director of Global Product Design
Icebreaker Nature Clothing Inc2012 – 2013
• Liased with four reports, contract designers for the season, both locally and internationally. • Spearheaded design work to meet merchandising and design briefs • Oversaw that the Icebreaker brand aesthetic was coherent across all ranges. • Designed both high performance and lifestyle merino wool product, trend research, color palette, trim design
Product Designer
Icebreaker Nature Clothing Inc2006 – 2009
•Drove design and passion for both high performance and lifestyle merino wool product, trend research, ideation, consumer insights, fabrication, color palette and trim design. •Increased unit base layer sales over to 150k units. •Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop. •International travel www.icebreaker.com
Special Projects Designer
Berghaus Ltd2003 – 2006
•Introduced RF welded seams, bonded seams and thermal molding to apparel while driving long term innovation platforms •Launched athlete focused designs for climbing apparel for global expeditions to Patagonia and the Himalayas •Design, color theory, branding design, trim design, fabric development and construction. •Presentation to global sales teams, distributors and external audiences. www.berghaus.com
Design Consultant
Macpac Ltd.2003 – 2003
Designed technical climbing apparel, shell and insulated products.
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