industrial // cmf designer // strategy

Hello!

b. 1986, HK.

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Hello there! I'm Kate, Boston native, PNW transplant. Currently calling Seattle, WA home.

From a young age I was always doing something creative that involved painting, designing and building. This is where my passion thrives and still does to this day. Creating something beautiful, meaningful and that has purpose brings endless energy to what I do.   

I graduated from Massachusetts College of Art in 2006 with a BFA in Industrial Design. Throughout my experiences in different industries, I’ve been able to use my degree to influence, develop and continue to grow in specialty areas. From designing physical products ranging from home décor and accessories, to focusing on colors, materials and finishes, my design thinking has expanded throughout the years.  I enjoy product design work, palette creation, color & consumer strategy, finishing applications and trend research.    

_HIGHLIGHTS_

Manufacturing

I have been fortunate to travel the world to see how different types of products are made. From metal and welding, plastics, injection molding and cut and sew material, my experience in factories has given me insight into product design in both hard and soft lines. I use my learnings to ideate and execute new CMF capabilities for all industry types.

Revenue Growth Through Design

Through trend research focused on aesthetic, design and consumer preference, I influenced business growth and retail partnerships with a major footwear brand. Under my direction, the SMU business grew by 200% in revenue from 2017-2019 due to concepts, color, material selection and print design on key shoe styles.

Innovation & Process

I was the sole Color, Material and Finishes Designer with a kitchenware and gadget company when the CMF program first launched. I developed a system of creating spec sheets for CMF requests, color checking and up leveled finishing details on products designed by the in-house Product Design team. With research, I kicked-off trend reports that influenced both design and development and launched a mini showroom for the different color and finishing technologies that the company executed on.

CV / EXPERIENCE

CLIENTS :

Puma
Sperry
Starbucks
TJX
Reed & Barton
+ more