CV
Character and surface designer. Twenty years in children’s consumer products.
- Contact
- misshelenagarcia@gmail.com
Boca Raton, Florida - Languages
- English and Spanish
- Education
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration
Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota
2000 to 2004 - Capabilities
- Character design and brand mascots
Surface and textile design
Seamless repeat development
Licensed property design
Trend research and seasonal direction
Tech packs and specifications
Color management and Pantone
Overseas production management
Editorial illustration
Design mentorship - Software
- Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Procreate
Adobe Dynamic Media Classic
Microsoft Word and Excel
Experience
Senior Designer
Sweet Jojo Designs, Sunrise, Florida
April 2011 to present
- Originate the seasonal print and pattern portfolio for the children’s and teen bedding and home decor market, translating trend research into original repeat print collections.
- Create the artwork and build the seamless repeats, then write the specs and tech packs.
- Run production with factories in China worked with for fifteen years, holding every approval gate from strike offs and lab dips through production samples to final run.
- Approve color against Pantone references, and against printed paper standards for watercolor and gradient prints beyond the reach of spot color.
- Set the print development standards the design team works to and mentor other designers on production requirements.
- Direct product imagery and color correction for the company website and Amazon listings.
- Advanced from Junior Production Designer to Senior Designer.
Freelance Illustrator and Character Designer
Self employed
March 2004 to present
- Developed the Girl Scout Brownie character cast for Girl Scouts of the USA in 2007 under direct contract: five characters including the Brownie Elf mascot, plus the Brownie Elf Club identity mark. The characters remain on product sold nationally.
- Credited illustrator on four national Girl Scouts titles, 2011 to 2012, including WOW! Wonders of Water.
- Designed Vixen, a limited edition collector doll for Momiji, released in 750 hand-numbered pieces in 2013.
- Editorial illustration for Canadian Family, Bust, Bitch, Mother Jones, Utne Reader and Parents.
Product Designer
Office Depot, Boca Raton, Florida
2010 to 2011
- Partnered with senior designers and product developers on pattern and design programs for back to school supply lines, developed at corporate headquarters.
Creative Director
Livid Records
2008 to 2011
- Created the brand identity from the logo out and set the visual direction applied across all media and advertising.
- Oversaw album artwork and packaging across twenty releases, including print and manufacturing.
- Directed the advertising that carried each release.
Designer
FAB / Starpoint, New York
August 2006 to 2008
- Designed bags and backpacks for the children’s and junior markets under Sanrio, Hello Kitty and Disney character licenses, sold through Target, Claire’s and Delia’s.
- Worked inside licensor style guides and approval workflows, and with overseas manufacturers through production.
- On site at the New York office through February 2007, then continued designing for the company remotely through 2008.
Selected recognition
- Featured artist, Pictoplasma character design book, 2007.
- Brownie Quest character cast in national distribution with Girl Scouts of the USA since 2007.
- Vixen, 750-piece hand-numbered limited edition for Momiji, 2013.
- Solo exhibition and group gallery shows.