Katie Simmon

Designer and Illustrator · Freelance

Saint Louis, MO

In My Own Words

Hello! I'm Katie and I have been working professionally for over 8 years in the apparel industry, focusing mainly on concept and graphic design in athletic, outdoor, and sportswear.

I supervised the Graphic Design department at GK Elite Sportswear and organized and standardized many of the dye sublimation production processes in my 6 years there. I created custom prints for Disney, Marvel, and Cirque du Soleil licensed apparel and designed many of the UA branded leotards during their partnership with Elite. I helped integrate newly acquired brands, such as Dolfin Swimwear, into the existing production processes and designed into several successful lines.

Most recently I have been working with Weissman’s Dancewear making apparel graphics and 3D apparel design and draping using CLO. I work cross-functionally with senior designers and my tech designer to drape and fit digital garments, producing a fully rendered image suitable for showing to Merchandising and Marketing for adoption decisions, as well as significantly cutting down on the number of physical prototypes we need to make. We have been able to cut out between 1 and 3 rounds of prototyping and revisions digitally.

I love learning and discovering new things, taking problems apart, digging for information and applying what I’ve learned in new ways. I picked up 3D draping and became proficient in CLO very quickly using my previous experience making engineered apparel graphics in Adobe Illustrator and texture work in Blender for video games. I love being involved with R&D and integration of new systems, hardware, and processes.

I have never been formally trained as a patternmaker, but over 8 years in the apparel industry (and some informal training from techs over that time) I have gained a working familiarity and currently do all my own concept pattern work either in CLO or Adobe Illustrator.

I love tea and knitting, sweet 80s jams and headbanging at metal concerts. I’d also really like to work with you.

Thanks for your time and consideration, Katie

Work Experience

Designer and Illustrator

Freelance

2010 – Present

-Travel and train teams in my methods and share my expertise in dye sub - both artistic and pre-production techniques to provide them a solid foundation and expand their dye sub knowledge. -Create dye sub designs, repeats, and all-over prints -Digital painting and illustration -Mentor artists -Art direction

Graphic Designer

Weissman Dancewear

2019 – Present

I have been working with Weissman’s Dancewear making apparel graphics and 3D apparel design and draping using CLO. I work cross-functionally with senior designers and my tech designer to drape and fit digital garments, producing a fully rendered image suitable for showing to Merchandising and Marketing for adoption decisions, as well as significantly cutting down on the number of physical prototypes we need to make. We have been able to cut out between 1 and 3 rounds of prototyping and revisions digitally.

Graphic Design Supervisor

Elite Sportswear LP

2012 – 2018

-Developed a successful new line of leotards to streamline design process and save time for the cus- tomer and sales reps that we expanded into jackets, pants, and leggings after the first year. -Mixed and managed dye sub color profile and print environment in Ergosoft to ensure accurate and consistent color output. -Developed pre-production techniques to print raster images reliably, with consistent (spot) color that allowed us to expand our artistic capabilities. -Trained my team on Corel Painter and instructed them in digital painting techniques and pre-pro- duction -Mentored my team in elements and principles of designing on odd canvases, ie bodysuits, for a flattering composition. -Doubled revenue in my department for 3 years in a row. -Designed initial competitive dye sub swimwear catalog line for Dolfin Swimwear as well as custom designs for top tier swimming teams in clubs and universities. -Designed apparel and artwork in partnership with Under Armour, Disney, Marvel

Education

BA

Ursinus College

2006 – 2010

Interests

I love adobe illustrator! it's my digital spouse.Fractals are. the. best.Piano (do you wanna hear freebird?)I can't play freebird.

Industries

BikeFashionLifestyleOutdoorRunSkateSnowStreetwearSurfSwimYoga