WEIYING KAO
Diamond Bar,CA
Summary
Motivated Fashion Designer and Digital Fashion Artist with over 10 years of industry experience. Skilled in creating innovative fashion designs and transforming them into market-ready products. Proficient in integrating advanced digital tools and 3D modeling technologies into design workflows. Adept at blending traditional design techniques with virtual innovations to produce visually striking and functional designs tailored to diverse markets. Passionate about pushing the boundaries of fashion by merging artistry and technology to deliver groundbreaking and impactful results.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Fashion Designer/Digital Fashion Artist
Weiying Kao Design
02.2016 - Current
- Collaborated with clients from around the world, bringing their design visions to life by offering comprehensive design services including design concepts, 3D & 2D design visualization, and tech packs.
- Clients: Ghost Golf, UNRL, RZIST, White Mark, PAILUNG, NUMOD, Southern Athletica, Ajani Sportswear, Lastset, ViaSweat, Betabrand.
- Managed client relationships from initial contact to project delivery, providing tailored solutions and exceptional customer service to drive satisfaction.
- Attended Outdoor Retailer trade shows to network with vendors, source materials, and stay up to date with the latest innovations.
- Conducted in-depth research and analysis of the fitness, activewear, and athleisure markets, gaining expertise in creating innovative designs across various categories for both men and women.
- Stayed updated on emerging technologies and industry trends to maintain a competitive edge in 3D design and fashion technology.
- Created impactful content across social media and other platforms to showcase expertise and promote brand awareness.
- Personal design exploration and enhancement. Self taught 3D fashion design by utilizing various 3D software programs (CLO, Substance 3D, and Blender).
- Developed and maintained a comprehensive library of design assets for easy access.
Freelance Technical Designer
Five Four Group
10.2014 - 03.2015
- Collaborated with the design director and production team to determine fit and design details.
- Created fit comments, sketches, and tech packs for men's outerwear, woven/knit tops, and bottoms.
- Assisted in fittings, and spec garments.
Designer
Guotai USA / JNCO
02.2013 - 09.2014
- Designs sold successfully to Forever 21, Cache, Foreign Exchange, Tilly's, and Ross stores.
- Developed design concepts for both men's and women's lines, from researching the market, creating mood boards, sketches, line sheets, to overseas tech packs.
- Collaborated with overseas factories on material sourcing, sample developments, and production problem solving.
- Followed up with fit samples and issue fit comments.
- Traveled to China office overseeing sample developments and working on new projects on site.
Associate Designer
Forever 21
05.2012 - 11.2012
- Projects involved were adopted by the company and sold across major Forever 21 locations.
- Researched for trends, evaluated vintage samples and best sellers for new design ideas.
- Created tech packs for junior's dresses, woven/knit tops, jackets, and bottoms.
- Collaborated with graphic designers on print developments and production teams on sample developments.
- Reviewed development samples and issued fit comments.
Associate Designer
Rewash Brand
05.2011 - 05.2012
- Contributed to the tremendous growth of Beau Dawson label and increased its private label sales to Macy's (Style&co.) and Kohl's (Apt. 9).
- Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams ((design team, pattern makers, in-house sample room, production & sales teams, domestic contractors (embroiderers & laundries)) to ensure seamless integration of design concepts into finished products.
- Researched the market for trends and new design ideas.
- Created presentation boards, tech packs, Web PDM, and line sheets.
- Assisted in designing denim and sourcing materials overseas.
- Assisted in the final stages of finishing, trimming, and embellishing SMS.
- Supervised and documented all Beau Dawson SMS, and made sure all samples were professionally presented and on time for monthly market week.
- Experienced with plus-size women's bottoms.
Freelance Outerwear Technician (Urban Behavior)
Clothing For Modern Times
03.2011 - 05.2011
- Created detailed fit comments and tech packs.
- Spec garments
- Assisted in daily fitting session
- Updated WIPS for fabric, trims, and lab dips.
Technical Design Assistant
Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent
06.2010 - 02.2011
- Collaborated closely with technical designers, pattern maker, in-house sample room, production manager, and design team.
- Created detailed fit comments, and spec garments.
- Generated and issued production tech packs.
- Communicated with overseas vendors daily.
- Assisted in all sample development stages from proto sample to TOP.
- Assisted in daily fitting session.
- Attended production meetings.
- Digitized patterns with Accumark (PDS).
- Updated WIPS and line sheets.
- Production QC and problem-solving.
- Supervised archives of samples and sewing patterns.
- Assisted design team with editing prints and colorways.
Design Intern
Behnaz Sarafpour
02.2010 - 06.2010
Design Intern (Dress Team/ Herve Leger)
BCBG Max Azria Group
05.2009 - 08.2009
Education
Associate of Science - Graphic Design
Mt San Antonio College
12-2015
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Design (Sportswear Specialization)
Fashion Institute of Technology
05-2010
Skills
- Apparel design from concept to production
- 3D garment visualization (CLO)
- Vector sketching (Adobe Illustrator) and freehand sketching (Procreate)
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
- Tech packs (utilizing 2D & 3D)
- Knowledge of pattern making, garment construction, fitting, fabrics & trims, technical design, and graphic design
- Proficient in creating designs for a wide range of apparel categories for both men and women
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin)
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Fashion Designer/Digital Fashion Artist
Weiying Kao Design
02.2016 - Current
Freelance Technical Designer
Five Four Group
10.2014 - 03.2015
Designer
Guotai USA / JNCO
02.2013 - 09.2014
Associate Designer
Forever 21
05.2012 - 11.2012
Associate Designer
Rewash Brand
05.2011 - 05.2012
Freelance Outerwear Technician (Urban Behavior)
Clothing For Modern Times
03.2011 - 05.2011
Technical Design Assistant
Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent
06.2010 - 02.2011
Design Intern
Behnaz Sarafpour
02.2010 - 06.2010
Design Intern (Dress Team/ Herve Leger)
BCBG Max Azria Group
05.2009 - 08.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Design (Sportswear Specialization)
Fashion Institute of Technology
Associate of Science - Graphic Design
Mt San Antonio College
Interests
Art & Design, 3D technologies, climbing, fitness, the outdoors, philosophy.