mike gaeir
Design Director · NWAlpine
West Linn, OR
In My Own Words
25+ years experience in product design, creation, cut and sew production, product prototyping, design team management, color and trend direction, product presentations, and product line creation. I have worked on the smallest teams of 2 or 3 people (at 22MFG), to the largest teams and multi factory production (Columbia Sportswear).
Work Experience
Design Director
NWAlpine2019 – 2023
Oversee all product design, techpacks, color, product patterning, sample development, product production.
Owner
Twenty Two MFG2013 – 2021
owner operator of cut and sew manufacturing specializing in advanced laser parts cutting and neoprene product production.
Sr. Designer Equipment, Gloves, and Socks
Columbia Sportswear, Inc.2007 – 2012
management of 5 person design team, design and implementation of multi season products across numerous categories, concept development and lead category direction, applying overarching corporate direction to individual product lines , direct development with domestic and overseas manufacturing partners
Sr. Outerwear Designer
REI (Recreational Equipment Inc)2003 – 2007
design and implementation of branded outerwear, management of seasonal color direction, concept development, lead category direction, direct development with domestic and overseas manufacturing partners.
Designer
Helly Hansen Inc.2000 – 2003
design and implementation of multi season outerwear, headwear, and active apparel, design and development of inaugural rainwear collection, t-shirt graphic design.
Education
Associate of Applied Arts
Art Institue of Seattle1994 – 1996
1st place fashion show win, first time ever for a first year student
