Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Timeline
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Karen Schultz

Karen Schultz

Los Angeles,CA

Summary

Dynamic Design Director with a proven track record at Jerry Leigh of California, adept at visual storytelling and analytical problem-solving. Spearheaded innovative apparel and accessory collections, enhancing market presence and collaboration with licensors. I foster creativity while mentoring teams to achieve exceptional results in fast-paced environments.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Design Director

Jerry Leigh of California
11.2008 - Current
  • Lead creative teams to develop innovative licensed apparel for various tiers of distribution including Specialty, Mass, Mid-Tier & Off Price, from conception to final execution.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams for new business development at retail and for live entertainment merchandise.
  • Spearhead research on industry trends, applying insights to elevate design concepts and strategies.
  • Mentor junior designers, fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional development.
  • Established relationships and collaborated with licensor, buyers, and marketing teams to create visually captivating campaigns that showcase new collections successfully.

Senior Product Designer

Evy Of California
05.2014 - 09.2015
  • Oversaw successful seasonal collection launches, coordinating efforts across design, production, and marketing teams to achieve desired results.
  • Collaborated with licensors including Disney, Mattel, Sanrio, Warner Brothers, Ecko Unltd, and Sean John.
  • Mentored junior designers and interns, fostering a collaborative and productive working environment for creativity to thrive.
  • Lead educational team building exercises.


Senior Product Designer

The Original Cult, Lip Service/Kill City
09.1999 - 10.2008
  • Led design initiatives for technical specifications for enhanced product usability.
  • Analyzed design challenges, implementing innovative solutions that elevated product quality and performance.
  • Managed multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards.
  • Conducted thorough analysis of design trends and materials to inform future projects and initiatives.
  • Directed photoshoots, look books, seasonal color catalogs, advertisements, & promo items
  • Supported Sales team at international trade shows
  • Created custom stagewear for celeb clientele

Educational Assistant

FIDM
07.2004 - 11.2005
  • Supported classroom activities by assisting teachers with lesson preparation and student engagement.
  • Facilitated individualized instruction to enhance learning outcomes for diverse student needs.
  • Collaborated with educators to develop tailored educational resources and materials.
  • Solicit Donations
  • Curate Guest Speakers

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Fashion Design

Massachusetts College of Art
Boston, MA

Skills

  • Analytical problem-solving
  • Responsive design
  • Visual storytelling
  • Illustration
  • Photography direction
  • CAD drafting
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, Browzwear, Social Media
  • Patternmaking

Interests

  • Experimenting with different creative mediums, like Foreign Language, Neon Art, Dance, and Leatherwork, to expand skills and techniques

Timeline

Senior Product Designer

Evy Of California
05.2014 - 09.2015

Design Director

Jerry Leigh of California
11.2008 - Current

Educational Assistant

FIDM
07.2004 - 11.2005

Senior Product Designer

The Original Cult, Lip Service/Kill City
09.1999 - 10.2008

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Fashion Design

Massachusetts College of Art