Megan Johnston
Product Developer & Designer · Jonathan Simkhai
Los Angeles, CAIn My Own Words
I simply love designing and developing apparel. When I am not working, I spend most of my time surfing or playing in the mountains.
Work Experience
Product Developer & Designer
Jonathan Simkhai2017 – Present
• develop 50 SKUs per season with oversees factories in China, India and Peru • started the manufacturing supply chain in Peru for the knitwear category • manage all knitwear SKUs from development through production • collaborate with the company president, creative director & head of production to develop line plan, costing strategies & merchandising strategies • negotiate CMT costs with factories • source yarns, trims & hardware + mills & factories • manage design team to follow merchandising & costing strategies • costing for the knitwear category • assist in styling for all lookbook & e-comm photoshoots • collaborate with creative director & designers for seasonal concepts • fit all knitwear styles from development through production • provide solutions & strategies for the knitwear category • travel to develop & manage manufacturing relationships • attend seasonal yarn shows for inspiration & sourcing
Design Consultant
Ridge Merino2018 – 2018
• design men’s and women’s knit tops and base-layers • design and develop seasonal color palette • meet with creative director to develop lineplan and calendar • create development tech packs and specs • approve lab dips and knit-downs • style e-commerce and social media photoshoots
Freelance Sweater Designer
Sherpa Adventure Gear2017 – 2017
• Design 2019 sweater line. • Trend forecasting • Hand and computer sketching • Present concepts and sketches in design review meetings • Jacuard artwork design • Hand-off sheets
Graduate Research, Teaching Assistant
University of California, Davis2015 – 2017
• Collaborate with a team of engineers to research, design and create wearable technology applications for the medical market. • Knit wearable technology samples using shape memory alloy • Co-wrote a paper on wearable technology systems • Assist in teaching several university courses including Wearable Technology, Intro to Structural Apparel Design, Experimental Fashion Design, Fashion History, and Intro to Textiles • Manage a team of undergraduate interns
Freelance knitwear designer
Lucky Brand2014 – 2015
• Design women's knitwear yoga line • Hand-sketch and complete technical sketches • Complete tech packs and BOMs using Full Circle. • Trend research and forecasting. • Communicate with factories to track garment and sample development. • Work with technical designer to ensure the best sample fit. • Work with the product developer to source trims and fabrics.
Sweater Designer
Ella Moss2013 – 2014
• Work with senior designer to design and develop the women’s sweater category • Hand sketch and create technical sketches • Jacquard design & development • Develop all CADS, color ways, & print layouts • Compile competitor research and trend research • Samples shopping. • Create seasonal color palette • Track and comment on all lab dips & knit-downs, • Managed assistant designer.
Freelance Sweater Designer
Juicy Couture2013 – 2013
• Create all technical sketches in Adobe Illustrator • Participate in hand offs • Work closely with technical design team and product developer to realize sweater designs, • Create and complete tech packs in Full Circle • Create and complete line sheets, • Develop stripe patterns and color ways • Meet with yarn vendors for purchasing • Sample shopping.
Assistant Costume Shop Director
Utah Ballet and Modern Dance Company2012 – 2013
• Drape and create patterns for all ballet and modern dance performances • Hand sketch • Sample and fabric shopping • Sew and embellish costumes • Arrange and conduct fit sessions • Manage the seamstress and volunteer staff
freelance assistant technical designer
The Row2009 – 2010
• Assist with fit sessions • Create technical sketches • Complete tech packages using excel • Spec garments • Work with local factories for production checks and quality inspection, • Hand knit sweaters and swatches for the Fall 2011 collection.
knit tops design internship
Abercrombie & Fitch2009 – 2009
• Create hand and technical sketches • Complete trim sheets and tech packs • Update and organize line sheets. • Communicate with wash lab, color lab and resource team for development of samples • Update BOM’s • Organize and produce trend research for upcoming seasons. • Attend design meetings and fit sessions.
Education
Bachelor's of Science
University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning2005 – 2009
Bachelor's of Science
Interests
Industries
Activity
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