Creative Director + Graphic & Apparel Designer

Fashion & Apparel

With over 15 years of experience in creative direction and design, I specialize in graphic and apparel design, along with art direction and creative team leadership for action sports, outdoor, and lifestyle apparel brands. My career began as an Art Director at Body Glove Wetsuits in the early 2000s, where I honed my skills in branding and design. I then founded and grew HippyTree, a surf and climbing-inspired apparel company, from a startup in my garage to an established brand with distribution in 12 countries and over 500 retailers. After leading HippyTree for 15+ years, I transitioned into part-time consulting to focus on new creative ventures. Over the years, I've built an extensive network of designers, photographers, and content creators, and developed a strong reputation for leading high-performing creative teams. I bring a unique combination of design expertise and business acumen, with firsthand experience in apparel manufacturing, sales, operations, and financing. I’m passionate about helping brands craft their identity through strategic marketing, graphic design, and product development. If you're interested in collaborating or learning more about my work, visit www.southbaydesignlab.com.

South Bay Design Lab is a creative studio I founded providing services ranging from art direction and brand strategy to apparel and graphic design. For more info visit www.southbaydesignlab.com.

Creative Consultant + Freelance Design

- HippyTree is a surf & climbing apparel brand I founded in 2004. I led the brand from a startup garage operation to an established apparel business with $5 million in annual revenue. Over a span of 15+ years HippyTree grew to 25 team members comprised of employees and sales reps. All design, marketing, customer service, warehousing and shipping was managed in-house at a headquarters in Torrance, CA. HippyTree was carried in over 500 retail stores across 12 countries and sold online at hippytree.com.
- Transitioned to a part-time consulting role when HippyTree restructured after the COVID-19 Pandemic. I currently help facilitate private label and SMU projects along with managing brand licensing.

Consultant & Contract Designer

- As President, directed brand strategy, identified business opportunities, oversaw day-to-day operations, reviewed budgets and made staffing decisions.
- Creative Director responsibilities included designing the cohesive look and feel of the brand for all web, print and digital marketing collateral in addition to managing the creative team.
- As Design Director, led the design team and defined product direction for all apparel and accessories, managed designers, approved tech packs, oversaw fittings and line presentations to sales team.

President, Creative + Design Director

- Side hustle turned startup company operated out of a garage in Hermosa Beach, CA.
- Focused on product design, creative direction and marketing while building a wholesale customer base.

Founder

- Managed and led a team of product and graphic designers.
- Directed seasonal product line development for wetsuits, accessories and apparel.
- Conceptualized and designed ad campaigns, wholesale catalogs, print collateral and marketing assets.
- Oversaw product shoots with sponsored athletes and brand ambassadors.

Art Director

In the early 2000s I shot a lot of surf, outdoor lifestyle and adventure photography for a variety of brands and publications. I’ve had my work published in Surfer and Surfing Magazine, Transworld Surf, Monster Children, Surfline, Rock & Ice, Climbing Magazine and Men's Journal among others. My passion for photography led me to shooting numerous adventures, ad campaigns and product photography during my time at HippyTree.

Commercial & Editorial Photographer

- Graphic and product design responsibilities ranged from designing catalogs, hangtags, retail displays and print ads to creating tech packs for wetsuits, wakeboarding vests, water sports accessories and apparel.

Graphic + Product Designer

Burke/Triolo was a commercial photography studio and stock photography agency specializing in product photography. As a photo and production assistant I gained insight into the world of commercial photography. Learned how to setup and operate studio lighting for photo shoots in addition to formatting and retouching digital images.

Photo + Production Assistant

Design internship while studying abroad at the University of New South Wales in Australia. At the time APL was one of the largest ad agencies in Sydney with regional offices around the world. Gained firsthand experience working alongside art directors, copy writers, commercial photographers and designers.

Graphic Designer

Find out detailed information about Andrew Sarnecki, Creative Director + Graphic & Apparel Designer in Hermosa Beach, California

Andrew Sarnecki: Creative Director + Graphic & Apparel Designer in Hermosa Beach, California

Andrew Sarnecki

University of Notre Dame