Kathleen Szatmary

Work History

Self -Studio 28 Art And Design

Suwanee, Georgia

02.2007 - Current

Created branded bedding ensembles & soft accessories utilizing Adobe Creative Suite for Dan River Bedding Co. on contractual basis.
Designed range of licensed juvenile bedding ensembles for Bobby Jack Brand. Ensembles included comforter, sheet sets, curtains and plush accessories. This became $5mm program for JLA Home.
Designed and Illustrated range of 20 Seasonal Rugs under direction of Creative Director, nine which were sold into retail stores and e-commerce sites including Target, Wayfair, Houzz, Lowe's and Home Depot, where they still sell today. Indexed art and created tech packs according to manufacturer specifications using Adobe Photoshop for final tech packs.
Designed and illustrated seasonal and non-seasonal home decor & novelty products for Whittaker Collection, a trading company that sells to U.S. importers including Hobby Lobby & Kirkland's. Utilized wood, metal, and textiles in product development.
Traveled to 3 cities in China to collaborate with suppliers and manufacturers to see processes and choose fabrics, trims for Whittaker Collection.
Created full Line of licensed NFL digitally printed sports signs for Fan Creations on contractual basis for 4 years.
Created Kitchen Textile Collections for Amrapur Imports while adhering to brand Guidelines for Elle Brand.

New Creation Brands/Pure Drinkware

10.2017 - 10.2022

Researched design and development of trends and surface and pattern design for stainless steel hydration products, food containers.
Planned project concepts by researching and studying design briefs collaborating closely with project owners.
Selected, purchased, manipulated art as needed to successfully complete projects.
Research, create, apply copy for marketable consumer products.
Obtained approval of concepts by submitting rough drafts to management or to client.
Incorporated design changes based on feedback from project teams.
Developed design deliverables that elevated, differentiated and functioned on-brand and on-strategy and resulted in steady product placement at major retailer for over 5 years including hundreds of skus.
Create tech Packs with art and surface specifications, product finishes for factories in China.
Provided decisive creative solutions as needed to produce product on time and on budget.

Dan River Inc

05.2005 - 02.2007

Privately Held Vertical Manufacturing Company in business over 125 years at time of employment and creators of "Bed in A Bag"
Directed professional design team of 10 in research, definition and translation of trends to licensed home textile products including bedding, throws, pillows, bath towels and plush accessories.
Worked directly with global suppliers on samples and production including packaging and labels, fabric selection, construction of cut and sew goods, product execution.
Collaborated across the lines of development with Global Sourcing, Marketing & Sales departments internally to meet cost, time and market requirements
Corresponded directly with vendors on tech packages, pre-production and production samples, packaging and labeling of textiles.
Created and delivered design presentations in order to successfully acquire licenses with major brands such as Disney, Mattel, Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, and Warner Bros.
Collaborated with display and merchandising professionals on showroom signage, layout and props for product launches and market weeks.
Presented trends and designs to major clients including Disney, Mattel, Walmart and other retail stores.

Franco Manufacturing Co

Metuchen, NJ

03.1997 - 05.2005

Privately held home textile manufacturer in business over 60 years with volume over $90mm at time of employment.
Lead team of creative professionals from concept through production in design and development of children's licensed bedding, bath towels, and plush accessories sold at mass market.
Collaborated with Global Sourcing, Marketing and Sales from concept through production on new products each season for cost and feasibility.
Presented design concepts to management and owners at design meetings while explaining design, trend research and creative vision.
Followed design throughout concept and production cycle with major licensing companies such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Mattel, and Warner Bros.
Directed licensed packaging design including mfg. care labels that adhered to brand and product guidelines.
Trend research at Heimtextil, Frankfurt, Germany.
Directed and procured mock-up samples for buyers and showroom from freelance seamstresses, embroiderers and prop companies.