KAROLA MORALES-ROMERO
LONG BEACH,CA
Summary
Looking to continue my growth in the design community. I am detail-oriented and self-motivated professional with 22 years' experience in the commercial furniture industry. Started as a junior designer in 2002 and progressed to become a Senior Designer and Project Manager. Successfully managed large accounts, including AltaMed, Lereta Inc., and Mt. San Antonio College. Skilled in understanding end user needs as a designer and providing proposals, including Cmas projects.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Designer/Project Manager
WESTFALL COMMERCIAL FURNITURE
LOS ANGELES, CA
10.2022 - Current
- Created and executed creative design strategies for challenging user interface issues.
- Ensured efficient and effective coordination with development team for successful conversion of conceptual designs to production-ready assets.
- Created high quality visual designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and intuitive for users.
- Facilitated in-depth usability tests on a range of products, including both existing ones and prototypes, uncovering valuable insights for enhancing user experience and design.
- Maintained a high level of accuracy in delivering reports on project activities.
- Ensured timely delivery of project outputs while maintaining adherence to quality specifications.
- Oversaw the preparation and submission of budget estimates, progress reports, and cost tracking reports.
- Determined essential requirements based on examination of project objectives and schedule.
Senior Designer/Project Manager/Account Manager
Total Corporate Solutions
04.2011 - 10.2022
- Performed quality checks on drawings and bill of material prepared by other designers.
- Supported design colleagues in optimizing project costs by providing value engineering insights prior to official proposal.
- Lead proposal development in collaboration with customer service coordinators.
- Analyzed installation company's scope of work to determine appropriate labor costs.
- Coordinated closely with lead installer, ensuring project phases were completed on schedule in order to meet clients' move-in deadline for certificate of occupancy.
- Increased efficiency in decision-making through facilitation of collaborative discussions on power and data fixtures placement during construction meetings.
- Validated room dimensions to facilitate furniture placement and layout adjustments.
- Proactively notified relevant parties of any obstacles prior to project commencement.
- Streamlined the delivery and installation processes by actively managing communication among various vendors.
- Onsite supervision during installations from start to end
- Ensured prompt resolution of installation delays by issuing detailed punch lists to customer service and manufacturing, highlighting missing or damaged items for immediate attention.
- Organized collective assessments of projects and budgets with clients alongside sales representatives.
- Ensured accurate and precise tracking of inventory in the storage facility.
- Coordinated with Installation Company to ensure timely delivery of products by creating accurate pull list.
- Provided accurate bill of materials on own drawings for order placement, installation drawings for installers, 2D and 3D AutoCAD drawings, and Color Renderings via Visual Impressions to clients concurrently on multiple projects.
- Maintained strong relationships with customers ensuring repeat business
- Conduct site visits and collaborate with facility administrators or directors to evaluate current product offerings and layouts.
- Issued proposals for approval, executed orders, and meticulously examined manufacturer acknowledgments to guarantee accurate product receipt.
- Developed a strong rapport with the purchasing department to facilitate uniformity in product pricing.
- National Account: AltaMed, Care Ambulance, Lereta, Isec.
Cad Designer
1st Choice Modular Installation
Santa Ana, CA
02.2010 - 04.2011
- Recommended tailored design ideas in line with clients’ preferences to enhance cost-effectiveness.
- Engaged in project walk-throughs to analyze work scope for current and future client projects.
- Developed precise AutoCAD and installation blueprints to gather client input.
Planner/Specifier
McMahan Desk
Irvine, CA
01.2008 - 09.2008
- Compiled information gathered from Sales Representatives
- Collaborated with Or Design Firm on furniture needs for a project and generated drawings from provided details.
- Guaranteed accuracy of drawings after client's final approval of furniture placement.
- Oversaw accounts for prominent financial organizations like Countrywide and Union Bank of California.
Planner/Specifier
Office Furniture Group, Inc.
Long Beach, CA
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Obtained details from Sales Rep
- Worked jointly with Or Design Firm to grasp furniture requisites for a particular project and fashioned diagrams based on the essential data.
- Verified drawing accuracy post client's furniture layout approval
- Managed accounts for Countrywide and Union Bank of California
Cad Designer
Systems Source, Inc.
Irvine, CA
12.2002 - 08.2005
- Gathered information provided by Sales Reps
- Directed the planning and execution of project-specific furniture needs with expertise in creating precise drawings and material lists.
- Verify drawing accuracy following furniture layout approval
- Managed and organized client files and product inventory for easy retrieval and accessibility.
- Collaborated with major clients such as County's Of San Bernardino, Billabong, Bank of America and Countrywide to manage their accounts
Education
Associate of Arts, Architecture/Piping/Structural/Mechanical/Electric -
ITT Technical Institute
Torrance, CA03.2002
Skills
- Experienced with AutoCAD 2023
- CET
- Visual Impressions
- 20/20 Tech
- E-magine
- Cap Worksheet
- Excel
- Word
- QuickBooks
- Blue Beam
- CORE
Timeline
Designer/Project Manager
WESTFALL COMMERCIAL FURNITURE
10.2022 - Current
Senior Designer/Project Manager/Account Manager
Total Corporate Solutions
04.2011 - 10.2022
Cad Designer
1st Choice Modular Installation
02.2010 - 04.2011
Planner/Specifier
McMahan Desk
01.2008 - 09.2008
Planner/Specifier
Office Furniture Group, Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2007
Cad Designer
Systems Source, Inc.
12.2002 - 08.2005
Associate of Arts, Architecture/Piping/Structural/Mechanical/Electric -
ITT Technical Institute
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