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Freelance Creative Consultant

Specialist & Consultant

I am a freelance consultant for both short and long-term projects from my home base in GA.

Feel free to contact me to see my portfolio!
Brands you will find in my portfolio...
Fisher-Price ®, The Elf on the Shelf®, SafeFit®, Pottery Barn Kids®, Jeepers Peepers ®, 
Baby Disney ®, Baby Einstein ®, Bright Starts ®, Boppy ®, Paul Brent, Sun N' Sands ®, 
Smith & Hawken ®, Buzzy Seeds and more...

Below are the services I provide.

I have over 10 years experience in Art, Design, Licensing & Product Development. 
Now I consult on both short and long-term projects for individuals, small and large companies.


Services I offer:

Product Design: 9 years experience
• Innovative product concept development
• Trend research, competitive market research, color and art boards
• Sketches and color renderings for concept communication
• Production files; dimensions, soft goods sculpting, 3-D plastic sculpting, print production, sewing
pattern creation, costing, parts lists, manufacturing, and production knowledge
• Front-end ideation/brainstorming 
• Character illustration, styleguide creation, color science and fashion
• Packaging design and engineering (complete)
• Management and tracking of full product life cycle 
• Sourcing and factory resources

Graphic Design: 10 years experience
• Executive level presentation creations
• Creation of original graphic artwork 
• Art direction
• Brand identity development 
• Styleguide development
• Packaging artwork and graphic design
• Print production, fabric production, digital production
• Promotion materials; logos, brochures, ads, mailers, DVD artwork, t-shirts, office signage, exhibit displays for tradeshows

Leadership: 1-2 years experience
• Experience directing, teaching, and mentoring others in creative efforts
• Project tracking 
• Creating initiatives and scheduling team
• Managing individuals and their professional development

Advanced software: 
Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator, InDesign, Form-Z, Alias, Image Studio, Dreamweaver, Flash, CSS, HTML coding, Power Point, Excel, Acrobat

• Responsible for all creative development in Licensing, Exclusives, and In-House product lines, while focusing on the CEO’s vision. 
• Expanded the In-House product line to the over 25 product skus by 2013 (from 4 products in the 2010 product season). Also, lead expansion into NEW product categories including: child apparel, plush, books, decor, baking, and toys sold in Target, Barnes & Noble, and many more.
• Managed all creative communication, art direction, and tracking for over 15 different Licensing partners and over 30 licensed products.
• Lead the redesign of best selling product, The Elf on the Shelf box set, by redesigning the elf doll and packaging. 
• Developed the 3-year future Product Line Plan for CCA & B.
• Responsible for creative teams' schedule and project tasking throughout full product lifecycle; ensuring all deadlines met. 
• Directed team on the following: the product line scope, conceptualization, product design, quote package creation, parts list creation, manufacturing specifications, design and engineering of packaging, art direction and branding of product.
• Worked on team with production experts on communicating with factories, input on prototype design optimization (refining materials, cost reductions and sourcing), and resolving manufacturing challenges.
• Traveled to Macy's Studio in 2012 to provide direction on Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon design. The Elf balloon was the 17th giant balloon added in the history of the parade.
• Incorporated the following "Best Practices": the company’s first "Blue Line Review" where over 60 product concept sketches were presented, the first "Licensing Styleguide", internal "Art Requests" system for art department, quote package creation, created product life cycle trackers, led brainstorming sessions, incorporated design research methods, created the product concept evaluation, and created a front-end development calendar.
• Established new continuing education opportunities for team.

Director of Creative/New Product Development

CCA and B is most famous for the #1 best selling children's products “The Elf on the Shelf®: A Christmas Tradition” box set. Its success has generated an unprecedented brand, CBS movie, and an expanding product line. 

www.elfontheshelf.com

• Team member in all efforts to expand Licensing and In-house product lines, as CCA and B's first 
Industrial Designer and profession product designer.
• Worked with CEO to plan, design, and develop new products.
• Executed the full lifecycle of product line from concept to product release including: concept, scope, specifications, prioritization, design, implementation, user acceptance testing, assurance, deployment, and maintenance.
• Traveled with CEO on licensing pitches and creative meetings with Licensing partners such as Build-A-Bear, and Pottery Barn Kids.
• Helped drive overall creative direction and partner with senior management on new business development pitches, and the creation of brand strategy.
• Designed and created graphics, product packaging, and displays for both Licensing and in-house 
• Worked closely with Sales and Marketing to define cohesive visual messages for vendors and customers by use of all available means for: ads, collateral, corporate identity, web design, trade show graphics, plan-o-grams, marketing material, booth design, and all requested art work and graphics, and ensured that labeling and marketing/promotional literatures matched product specifications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineers, marketing, supply chain, customer service, and partners to plan and launch projects on time, on budget, and on specification.
• Acted as key product expert, evangelist, and advocate for initiatives and projects.

Designer

Paul Brent’s brand is in the top 50 licensees in the art licensing industry. The famous artists’ brand can be found in Bed Bath & Beyond Target, Wal-mart, and over the world. Paul Brent, Inc.currently licenses his images to over 90 manufacturers who produce products such as wall coverings, textiles, bedding, shower curtains, apparel, paper products, gift items, housewares, decorative home accessories and furniture.

• Graphic design, art direction, concept ideation, product development and production
• Creation of graphic art for art licensing and art print production
• Worked with Licensing Director to ensure success of designs
• Creation 2011 Sun 'N' Sand Paul Brent brand totes and bags
• Trend research in the fashion and home décor industries, art and color board presentation and competitive market analysis
• Designer for art gallery support; marketing collateral, photography and web design
• Tradeshow exhibit production for Surtex and Gift Tradeshows
• Managing schedule to meet deliverable on in a fast-paced work environment

Senior Graphic Designer

Blue Ridge develops juvenile products for the world renowned brand Fisher-Price, SafeFit and Jeepers Peepers.  

• Conceptualizing & developing innovative products
• Creating sketches, renderings, dimensions, fabric patterns, implement design/ trend research, & 3D modeling (Alias) to communicate new designs
• Extensive knowledge of product interface, marketability, safety,   
      manufacturing and cost requirements of projects
• Worked with outside vendors in the development of prototypes
• Went to factories in China in March 2008, Toy Fair in Feb 2007,  
      focus group at Fisher-Price's headquarters in Nov 2007
• Partnered in developing new brand "Jeepers Peepers" for BRI
• Inventor on several patented products for Blue Ridge
• Managing outsourcing to company resources (CAD specialists, 
      electronics/ sound engineers, prototyping &  printing )
• Often assisted packaging & graphics departments, operating as  
      a team player for all departments at Blue Ridge

Product Designer

Kids II is an award-winning juvenile product company.  Developed products as a design intern under the following brands; Baby Disney, Baby Einstein, Bright Starts, & Boppy Teams. 

• Sketching, presentation renderings, dimensions, production files, 
    3D modeling (Alias) of new products
• Assisting mentors in presentation preparation, fabric pattern 
    design, large format printers, graphics & styleguide 
    implementation, photography of samples

Product Design Intern

The Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access researches and develops technology for people with disabilities. 

Worked part-time while attending Georgia Tech.
Projects completed were graphic and package design.

Junior Graphic Designer

Find out detailed information about Rae Lynch, Freelance Creative Consultant in hogansville, GA

Rae Lynch: Freelance Creative Consultant in hogansville, GA

Rae Lynch