Education and Skills

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design from the Illinois Institute of Art at Chicago, graduation with honors

Continuing education on Adobe programs

Credentialed in Pinterest Performance Essentials

Credentialed in Pinterest Advertising Essentials

Expert Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite Applications:  Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Fresco, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Premier Pro

Other Design Programs: Sketch, Figma, Canva, SketchUp, Corel Draw, Inkscape, Procreate, QuarkXPress

Microsoft Office Suite Applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Organic and Paid Social Media Marketing Experience: Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Tailwind, Canva, Wordpress, Google Analytics

Web Development and Platform Experience: Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, Zazzle, Wordpress

Experience in several CAD Pattern Making Software Programs including Gerber, Cameo and Tukatech.

Experience in Embird Embroidery Design Software and Wilcom

Ability to quickly, accurately and enthusiastically learn new software applications.

Proficient in both Mac and PC Environments.

3D Design, Artistic Direction, Branding, Concept Development, Creative Direction, Understanding of AI enabled design techniques, design for manufacturability, graphic design, illustration, industrial design, logo design, market and trend analysis, marketing design, motion graphics, print design, product design, product development, revenue driven design, senior designer, fashion design, fashion illustration, technical drawing, technical specifications, typography, layout, web design, UI/UX basics.

Sewing, bead work, embroidery, painting, jewelry, cut paper art.  I'm a ninja with an Exacto knife or a pair of scissors.

Adaptability, Cross Functional Team Management, Organizational Skills, Team Leadership, Visualization Skills, Spatial Reasoning, Project Management, Quick Learner, Active Listener, Creative Thinker, Time Management Focused, Revenue Driven Mindset, Positive Thinker, Creative Problem Solving.

Created an agency business for working with corporate clients on a freelance basis. Primarily working on product development and design for companies (some listed below) selling to major retailers. In addition, this business creates and sells digital maker files for crafting and digital products to direct-to-consumer audiences through a Shopify ecommerce store and existing ecommerce platforms such as Etsy, Zazzle and Threadless.

Work with internal teams to design commercial consumer goods primarily in the craft activity space for both children’s and adult markets, creating seasonal products for retailers such as Target, and Home Shopping Network.

Interpreted corporate design briefs to concept and develop seasonal product lines primarily in the children's toy, game and craft activity space for retailers such as Michael's, Wal-Mart, Jo-Ann's, Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Lidl.

Created product concept illustrations in Photoshop for fine jewelry.

Designed seasonal children’s 3D craft activity building kit products, made primarily from foam, chipboard and craft components. The kits were primarily sold at Michael’s.

In addition to the above listed companies, I have also done many smaller short term projects with a number of companies.

Co-Founder, Creative Director and Chief Designer

Founded and co-owned a local brick and mortar retail and online business that created and sold wedding gowns. Grew from a tiny start-up side business (then Avail Couture), hand sewing each dress myself, to a growing business that expanded and included in house staff and establishing working relationships with overseas manufacturers for production.

Senior Graphic Designer, Product Development and Design

A small promotional products and jewelry company, focused on die struck metal items such as lapel pins and sewn goods. Served as the senior product designer, leading junior designers and interns. Also responsible for creative direction including product, catalog, trade show booth, advertising and photography.

Graphic Designer, Product Development and Design

Consumer goods company focusing on craft and activity retailers. Started in the dolls department designing doll bodies, stuffed animals and doll clothing. Later promoted to work on craft activity kits, 3D Structure kits, foam products and craft basics.

Showroom Manager

Directed and coordinated the daily operations of a home interior decor and a gift and garden showroom in the Chicago Merchandise Mart. Worked with design teams to prepare and merchandise the showroom for market and sales meetings. Traveled to showrooms in other cities to assist with their market.  Gained experience in merchandising, wholesale sales, team leadership and management.  

Her first job was at the local Jo-Ann Fabrics in her home town.  Her least favorite job was as a laborer on her father's construction crew.  She had a brief stent in reality TV that lasted about 3 minutes on one episode of an ABC Family show.  She has had gowns organically published on Martha Stewart Weddings.  Rachel's true dream is to be a stand-up comedian, however, she would also settle for a fortune cookie writer.