Andrea Richardson
Stretford,Manchester
Summary
- 30 years + experience in the homeware and surface pattern design industry.
- Committed to producing a wide variety of designs with my natural love of pattern and colour.
- Excels in hand painted artwork
- Extensive knowledge from trend predictions to design conception, artworking through to final presentations.
- Liaising with all internal departments to achieve the highest quality for each design.
- Communication with factories to explore the most commercially viable product.
- A range of skills that include the high-end market to budget stores, one off pieces to large scale ranges - all delivered with passion and understanding of the market they will enter.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work history
Senior Creative Designer
Home Bargains (T J Morris Ltd)
Knowsley, Liverpool
04.2023 - Current
- Originally employed to provide maternity cover, created a position for me to remain, promoted to Senior Designer after 1 year in August 2024.
- Responsible for leading the homeware design team worth £64 million per year. Work continuously with Buyers, Category managers, Packaging and photography departments and other design teams.
- leading a team of 3 we create all homeware products for the store. Firstly preparing trend predictions and presenting to all members involved including Directors. Products are discussed and developed by the team and once again presented. We liaise with factories about techniques and production to create the most cost effective beautiful designs possible. Samples are received and reviewed. Photography and packaging are applied directed by myself.
- Aiding photoshoots and development of styleguides.
- Seasonal ranges such as Easter, Christmas and Halloween enable myself to range build, analysing previous sale, collating all trend information and new product development to produce the strongest range possible.
Senior Designer
Sadaqat Global Ltd
Trafford Park, Manchester
06.2022 - 02.2023
- Brought into Sadaqat at a senior level to bridge the gap between all designers and the design management, Mentoring quite a young team on processes, fabrications, design and customer relations.
- Managed the B&M account, the largest account for the company.
- Created designs in response to the customers trends and requirements, working within the budget limitations to guarantee success.
- Identifying gaps in their market, and presenting commercial ideas and designs.
- Created beautiful and commercial designs for bedding, throws, cushions and curtains.
- Maintained budgets and time schedules, reviewing goals and objectives to facilitate continued project progress.
- Delivering presentations of artwork and products to customers and senior management.
- Communicating with our mills and factories to produce sampling and products to the highest quality.
- Researched into future trends and developments.
Senior Designer
J. Rosenthal & Son Ltd
Radcliffe, Manchester
06.2021 - 04.2022
- Assisting the Design Manager on the Dunelm account, responsible for the bedding, curtain and cushion ranges.
- Working closely with Dunelm's buying and design teams for each department, analysing current ranges, researching, identifying gaps and presenting our findings.
- Liaising with the factories to design and develop samples utilising the latest innovations in order to produce the highest quality and on-trend products for their stores and online shop.
- Worked to tight budgets and critical paths.
- Managing a team of 5 with mixed experience, helping them to achieve great results through leadership and encouragement.
Head Designer
Portfolio Home (previously Bedmaker)
Denton, Manchester
06.2006 - 05.2021
- Setting up the studio and solely responsible for all design areas until the new management takeover in 2017.
- Following the company buy-out I became mentor and manager for a team of 2 new designers.
- Responsible for trend predictions and analysis that assist Designers, Sales and Marketing teams.
- Management of the showroom, displays and exhibition stands.
- Design development and presentations to all customers inc Dunelm, JD Williams, Studio and Damart, Yorkshire Linen.
- Range analysis
- Assigning briefs for the photography of products and development of packaging.
Head Designer
Artko Ltd
Ashton under lyne, Denton
07.2005 - 03.2006
- Head designer for leading framing and wall accessories company. Managing approx 500 accounts inc John Lewis & DFS.
Senior Designer
A.Brunnschweiller & Co.
Hyde, Manchester
05.2004 - 07.2005
- Designer of wax textiles for the African market.
- Travel to Ghana and Nigeria,
Senior Designer
CWV Group Ltd.
Hyde, Manchester
11.2000 - 05.2004
- Primary designer for the company's largest account, B&Q.
Designer
Vymura
Hyde, Manchester
10.1998 - 11.2000
Surface Pattern Designer
Artwork Design Ltd.
Hyde, Manchester
09.1997 - 10.1998
Designer
Vymura
Manchester
08.1996 - 09.1997
Studio Manager
Mary Jones Design
Stafford
08.1994 - 08.1996
Sales
Decorarte Ltd
Wolverhampton
07.1994 - 03.1996
Education
Kidderminster College
06.1994
Kidderminster College
1991
Stafford College
06.1990
Codsall High School
Wolverhampton06.1988
Skills
- Diverse creation of artwork - hand drawn and digital
- Illustrator
- Photoshop
- AVA
- Nedgraphics
- Understanding and quality execution of briefs
- Vast knowledge of production techniques
- Account management
- Range building and development
- Team management
- Mentoring new starters
- Adept at presentations
- Creating and presenting trend forecasting
- Sampling and liaising with mills and factories
- Always looking for the 'gap in the market'
- Ability to effectively plan and maintain a critical path
- New product development
- Creation of Showroom displays & exhibition stands
- Market research
- Originality
- Commercial awareness
- Leading Photoshoots
- Assisting with packaging and editorials
- Online presence/social media
- Fully qualified first aider
Additional Information
Lecturing/Presentations:
2017 - present
Careers fairs at Withington High School, Manchester
1998 Workshops on paint techniques for interiors.
North Birmingham College, Birmingham.
1996 & 1997 Part time lectures on freelance design
Haberdashers Aske's Hatcham College, London.
References
Prakash Gangani , (former Director and owner of Bedmaker)
Tel: 07966 155748
Liz Major (Senior Catagory Buyer, Home Bargains)
Tel: 07900517099
Timeline
Senior Creative Designer
Home Bargains (T J Morris Ltd)
04.2023 - Current
Senior Designer
Sadaqat Global Ltd
06.2022 - 02.2023
Senior Designer
J. Rosenthal & Son Ltd
06.2021 - 04.2022
Head Designer
Portfolio Home (previously Bedmaker)
06.2006 - 05.2021
Head Designer
Artko Ltd
07.2005 - 03.2006
Senior Designer
A.Brunnschweiller & Co.
05.2004 - 07.2005
Senior Designer
CWV Group Ltd.
11.2000 - 05.2004
Designer
Vymura
10.1998 - 11.2000
Surface Pattern Designer
Artwork Design Ltd.
09.1997 - 10.1998
Designer
Vymura
08.1996 - 09.1997
Studio Manager
Mary Jones Design
08.1994 - 08.1996
Sales
Decorarte Ltd
07.1994 - 03.1996
Kidderminster College
Kidderminster College
Stafford College
Codsall High School
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