JULIA SZKIBA
PRODUCT DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
Great designing skills and consulting experience.
Let me work with you!
Email: jszkiba@gmail.com
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A Los Angeles based product designer with many years of designing skills, including work with licensed product and development. Extensive knowledge of industry trends, and licensed/generic trends for all tiers and demographics. Background includes designing childrens apparel and related products, pet products, packaging, textile/graphic design, promotional goods and product pitches. Strengths include creative workflow, market & industry forecasting, trend research, teamwork, independent player when needed, organization and multi-tasking.
With my Sebastian 1997-2013
I loved animals and fashion growing up. I also loved my Barbie dolls, but I preferred to make and create clothes for the ones I had, rather than just playing with them.
So I figured there had to be a way to combine my love for fashion and be happy doing it all.
I have been able to design for various companies over the years and I was able to prove to one fashion teacher who said I would have to give up my ethics of never using real furs or leathers in order to work in this industry.
I have learned a lot over the years, and I still do. I started off in
childrenswear, and worked as an independent contract designer years ago for the Disney Store Consumer Products Division. I then worked with a company that had contacts with all of the L.A. studios and even Vegas casinos. This company became a licensee for Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros., and the former Hanna-Barbera studio. It was during this time that I gained a lot of experience in graphic design for apparel.
I freelanced for various companies developing collections for womenswear, young men's (mainly graphics for knitwear), more kidswear companies, plus kids' bedding, and eventually into pet apparel and products.
A few years ago I left L.A. to move to Las Vegas to get a fresh start and try something new. I ended up getting a job as an instructor for a fashion program at a new college. Then later my family and I moved back to California and since then I have been teaching as an adjunct for a couple of colleges, and I still continue to freelance for various apparel companies.
I am also involved with a couple of animal rescue groups. I have been on the steering committee for Actors & Others for Animals, and I have created free graphics and apparel designs for rescues to use for fundraising.
I also produce and direct fashion shows and recently worked on a pet fashion show. See article:
Currently, I am looking for more steady contract work or even a full-time apparel designer position.
If you have read this far, thank you! If you have any opportunities, please let me know. This website is just a small portion of what I have worked on; some things I cannot post due to NDA's, but I do have examples in my portfolios, so please contact me today to schedule an interview.
Thank you!