Alison Bailey
Atlanta
Summary
Senior Creative Director with extensive experience at IG Design Group, recognized for leading impactful initiatives and optimizing design workflows. Proven expertise in consumer-centric design and team leadership, driving brand success through strategic problem-solving and innovative solutions. Demonstrated ability to enhance market positioning and resonate with target audiences, ensuring high productivity and efficient project execution.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Creative Director – TAP & Specialty Business
IG Design Group
Atlanta
10.2017 - Current
- Led restructuring of specialty category for improved integration within Studio, increasing team collaboration.
- Incorporated trend analysis and consumer insights into collaborative planning sessions, aligning design direction with market demands and merchandising strategies.
- Guided the strategic rebuild of two core catalog lines, leading brand positioning, and consumer insights while providing creative direction for catalogs and lifestyle imagery.
- Oversaw $5M new business initiative, managing progression from concept through production stages. Delivered project management solutions that ensured successful execution of high-impact initiatives.
Creative Director
IG Design Group
Atlanta
08.2022 - 12.2024
- Directs innovative Studio of Design Managers and graphic, industrial, and collateral designers in creative direction and efficient project execution for big box retailers in seasonal product for Custom, Core, and Catalog lines exceeding $100M
- Streamlined design process to enhance alignment with production capabilities.
Conducted training to equip team with strategies for reducing time and costs associated with press bounce. - Supported and transitioned eight team members into superior positions during past five years, augmenting team effectiveness, raising morale, and elevating retention rate across Studio via SLII leadership method.
- Skilled in collaborating with category and functional leaders alongside operations teams to enhance digital acumen and synchronize creative strategies with organizational objectives.
- Evaluated and integrated new technologies and techniques to optimize workflow efficiency, incorporating GANTT charts, MS Apps, and collaboration in Adobe WorkFront implementation for Creative Team
- Conducted international travel multiple times annually to analyze European market dynamics, trends, and retail strategies, fueling studio product development and trend initiatives
Associate Creative Director
IG Design Group
Atlanta
04.2021 - 08.2022
- Broadened product development scope from five accounts to entire Value channel, supervising additional Assistant Design Manager and incorporating $30 million in increased business.
- Delivered engaging presentations on current trends to all accounts, customizing information to match specific retail aesthetics
- Collaborated with retail partners across US on a quarterly basis to evaluate industry dynamics and present tailored product solutions
Senior Design Manager
IG Design Group
Atlanta
04.2019 - 04.2021
- Expanded product development direction from three value accounts to five over past two years.
- Elevated year-on-year commits by 20% across three of five accounts, maintaining growth for remaining two
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration among teams, including Production, Packaging, and Manufacturing.
- Guided team through challenges of Covid and remote work while maintaining business operations prior to retail shift of pandemic.
Design Manager
IG Design Group
Atlanta
10.2017 - 04.2019
- Collaborated with Sales and Product Development to design product ranges for four accounts.
- Worked with PD to increase the business of all four accounts by at least 20% in the past year.
- Directed management of freelance designers and in-house teams for cohesive product outcomes. Executed creative direction to align designs with market trends and client specifications.
- Planed creative processes and designs alongside production processes
- Managed multiple deadlines, presentations, and production dates simultaneously while ensuring no production or presentation date was missed.
Giftable Line Design and Development
Lovern Enterprises
Buford
11.2016 - 10.2017
- Analyzed competitive trends in drinkware shape, color, theme, graphics, and design for both big box retailers and independent stores.
- Managed relationships and communications with overseas factories on a day-to-day basis to make purchase orders, follow production, and answer all questions regarding production, design, graphics, and shipping.
- Coordinated production schedule, overseeing stock pulling, powder coating, printing/engraving, relabeling, and shipping to customer
- Engaged with small team and contributed when needed, undertaking responsibilities like stock handling, shipping operations, order taking, order entry, purchase order generation, statement preparation, and payment processing.
Eyewear Designer/Product Development Manager
The McGee Group
Marietta
06.2015 - 07.2016
- Created and executed designs for all licensed brands from concept tech pack, partnering with factory on production and placement of PO for optical frames, sun frames, cases, point of purchase displays, and supporting materials.
- Owned, designed, and documented product specifications and details in executing the sampling and timeline process.
- Conducted overseas travel to research trends and engage with vendors at eyewear fairs
- Showcased designs and samples during launch meetings and to sales team and internal employees in an engaging manner.
- Sustained product line profitability while designing and developing products to surpass margins by 10%
New Product Development Manager
Benchmark Brands
Atlanta
03.2014 - 05.2015
- Spearheaded footwear product creation by collaborating with internal and external resources from initial concept through vendor and factory selection, raw material sourcing, sample revisions, pre-production samples, and price negotiation.
- Facilitated clear and concise communication between factories and management while overseeing multiple projects across various production timelines.
- Analyzed current marketplace trends to coordinate with merchants and provide strategic project guidance
- Visited Far East factories quarterly to collaborate on specific projects independently
Footwear Designer/Product Development (Sebago, Harley-Davidson, Hush Puppies)
Wolverine Worldwide
Rockford
05.2006 - 03.2014
- Utilized Adobe Creative Suite to design and develop footwear collections, contributing to the creation of 16 successful product lines.
- Conducted extensive market research to identify emerging trends and consumer preferences, resulting in design selections.
- Created detailed technical drawings and specifications, ensuring accurate prototyping and production execution.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, and production, enhancing communication and optimizing product lifecycle
- Delivered presentations to upper management and sales, articulating design intent and securing alignment with brand vision.
- Oversaw training of two assistant designers to produce product briefs and implemented a development calendar for seasonal objectives
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Illustration
Kendall College of Art And Design
Grand Rapids, MI05-2005
Skills
- Consumer-centric design: my passion lies in understanding and connecting with consumers on a profound level I direct design strategies that not only capture attention but also engage and resonate with the target audience
- Team leadership: I take pride in building and nurturing high-performing teams that consistently deliver design solutions aligned with consumer needs I adopt a hands-on approach to ensure designs are consumer-focused and effective
- Visionary thinking: my ability to envision design concepts that speak directly to consumers' hearts and minds
- Problem solver: challenges are opportunities to refine and enhance design strategies
- Process streamlining: I excel at streamlining design processes, optimizing workflows, and implementing best practices to deliver consumer-focused designs on time and within budget
- Results-driven: I have a proven track record of strategically selecting design elements that resonate with consumers and drive brand success
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Creative Director
IG Design Group
08.2022 - 12.2024
Associate Creative Director
IG Design Group
04.2021 - 08.2022
Senior Design Manager
IG Design Group
04.2019 - 04.2021
Senior Creative Director – TAP & Specialty Business
IG Design Group
10.2017 - Current
Design Manager
IG Design Group
10.2017 - 04.2019
Giftable Line Design and Development
Lovern Enterprises
11.2016 - 10.2017
Eyewear Designer/Product Development Manager
The McGee Group
06.2015 - 07.2016
New Product Development Manager
Benchmark Brands
03.2014 - 05.2015
Footwear Designer/Product Development (Sebago, Harley-Davidson, Hush Puppies)
Wolverine Worldwide
05.2006 - 03.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Illustration
Kendall College of Art And Design
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