experience

 

FOLLETT HIGHER EDUCATION GROUP, Westchester, Illinois

Interior Designer, 2018-2020

 

Oversaw design and store planning for college bookstore remodels.  Worked collaboratively with project stakeholders to develop clear, workable improvement plans that met operational and brand requirements. Developed architectural elevations and finishes, fixture layout, and product merchandising.  Created client presentations, design proposals, digital presentation materials (2D & 3D), and construction documentation. Provided sourcing and procurement for furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E).  Created environmental graphic concepts and worked with graphic vendors to value engineer specifications.

 

• Assessed, prioritized, and planned store improvements for 20 to 25 projects concurrently.

• Collaborated with external sourcing/procurement partners to ensure project scope aligned with schedule and budget priorities.

• Saved company 15% of project budget on Wheaton College Campus Store through close collaboration with school facilities department, cost-efficient finish specification, fixture specification, and environmental graphic material specification.

• Worked to save company 26% of project budget on Morton College Bookstore by providing cost-efficient environmental graphic design, finish specification, and fixture specification.

• Saved company 10% of project budget on Lincoln University Bookstore through cost-efficient environmental graphic design, finish specification, and fixture specification.

 

IKEA, Bolingbrook, Illinois

Interior Designer, 2012-2018

 

Oversaw store design for international home furnishings company.  Assessed, prioritized, and designed commercial display solutions to meet operational and brand requirements.  Developed construction drawings, accessory selection, lighting plans, and finish specifications.  Led project management for major remodels, including oversight of project communication, staff resources, task delegation, and project timelines.  Served as AutoCAD user responsible for maintaining drawing standards within store.  Provided AutoCAD training for store design team.

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• Analyzed local market to develop functional display solutions that met consumer needs and addressed targeted consumer demographics. 

• Initiated and planned the design and implementation of commercial display solutions for vignettes, room settings, and department remodels.

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement new display solutions and department remodels.

• Traveled to Malmo, Sweden to participate in the global store design and planning work group for the new IKEA Livingroom concept.

• Served as project lead and principal planner for full remodels of living room department, kitchen department, children's department, and restaurant, delivering projects on time, within budget, and with minimal disruption for customers.

• Provided mentoring and training for new design coworkers.

 

IKEA, Bolingbrook, Illinois

Visual Merchandiser, 2005-2012

 

Provided store design and visual merchandising for international home furnishings company.  Developed display concepts, fixture layouts, and merchandising plans for new product launches and department remodels.  Developed construction documentation, lighting plans, and finish specifications.  Led project implementation, including oversight of project communication, staff resources, task delegation, and project timelines.  Served as principal AutoCAD user, maintaining AutoCAD drawing standards within store. 

 

• Analyzed store performance data to maximize impact of store layout and improve key product sales.

• Planned department remodels to meet operational/brand requirements as well as strategic sales goals.

• Initiated commercial display solutions planning for new product launches and department remodels.

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement new display solutions and department remodels.

• Project lead and principal designer for seasonal activity displays (holidays and key marketing events). 

• Planned project timelines and staff resources for seasonal display implementations for 345,000-square-foot store; typical turnover within one to three days.

• Provided mentoring and training to new design coworkers.