Jennifer Birch
Sr. Designer · Invisible Garage LLC
Oakland, CA
In My Own Words
I have been designing product in outdoor/active industry for 15+ years - I have a passion for it.
Work Experience
Design Director
Invisible Garage LLC2012 – Present
Clients: Merrell/JDK Design, Prisa Polo, Sol Republic, Jessie Steele Inc • Product design lead consultant, apparel, footwear and accessories • Color palette creation, trend forecasting and product line merchandising • Communication and product development of all products with overseas manufacturers • Develop product concepts for licensing and presentations for key accounts • Branding and trim development • Technical specifications, materials specifications, product line building
Lead Designer
Jessie Steele2010 – 2012
• Designer of prints and apparel • Manage design department and workflow in coordination with marketing and production • Communication and product development of all products with overseas manufacturers • Develop product concepts for licensing and presentations for key accounts • Branding and trim development • Technical specifications, materials specifications, product merchandising
Owner/Designer/Color and Trend Director
colorswell2006 – 2010
Clients: The North Face, adidas, OluKai, Hush Puppies, Sebago, Cushe, Tecnica • Designer of apparel ,footwear and accessories • Creative direction and color and trend specialist • Branding and trim development • Technical specifications, materials allocation, colorway merchandising • Concept development for brand specific needs
Instructor, Fashion Design
O'More College of Design2007 – 2008
• Course instruction of Technical Design, Fashion Innovation, Fashion Forecasting, and CAD for Fashion • Mentor students for ultimate career placement • Local design community enrichment through project management • Field instruction
Color/Trend Director
Jager Di Paola Kemp Design2001 – 2006
Clients: Merrell, Sebago, Patagonia, Burton Snowboards • Creative direction and management of Color Design Team • Brand development for clients, including brand-specific seasonal trend direction and color palettes • Materials concept development including textiles, leathers and synthetics • Trim design and development for apparel and footwear • Design of communications materials and seasonal trend presentations
Footwear Color/Trend Manager
adidas1998 – 2000
• Management of footwear color design team • Print concepts and development • Global brand color palette development and design direction • Trend research and reports for sports-specific categories and key accounts • Maintain departmental budget and planned growth • Design communications materials, graphics and seasonal trend presentations
Apparel Designer
Bonfire Snowboarding1996 – 1998
• Design, research and development of technical snowboard and lifestyle apparel • Develop graphic concepts and trim development • Technical Design for all technical outerwear and accessories • Create specifications, pattern blocks, technical flats and build all tech packs • Sourcing, on-site development and vendor communication
Apparel Development Manager
adidas1994 – 1996
• Management of all specialty and technical apparel development • Categories include Performance Running, Cycling, Tennis and Equipment • Trim and fabric development • Wear test coordination, tech pack creation and vendor communications • Special project management for elite athletes and sponsored teams
Associate Apparel Designer
Ideation, Inc1993 – 1994
Clients: Santa Cruz Snowboards, Teva, Lands’ End, Colours by Alexander Julian • Design and development of specialty apparel per clients’ needs • Fabric and trim development and sourcing • Vendor communications • Color palette development and presentation board creation
