April Sharman Freelance Design Consultant

About me

I work with print and colour to create design concepts and set lifestyle trends within home, gifting, stationary, apparel and nursery categories to maximise branded opportunities or demonstrate manufacturing capabilities through my design consultancy service. This includes thoughtful strategy and product conceptualisation applied through my experience in print design and colour application; setting aspirational tones in a creative and inspirational way and maintaining core branded values. I have extensive experience in design management across premium lifestyle brands. Previously Licensing Design Manager for Sanderson, Morris & Co., Harlequin, Scion and Zoffany. I am a highly motivated, dynamic and creative individual with a passion for applying colour theory, driving design projects in maximising opportunities and growing brands globally. Retail representatives of brands: Liberty London John Lewis Next Lakeland Amara Wayfair TKMaxx Uniqlo H&M Anthropologie Bloomingdales Macy’s Bed, Bath & Beyond Nordstrom Bed Bath n’ table David Jones

Posts Projects Experience Team

Projects

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Bloom & Wild Collaboration with Morris & Co.I have worked in collaboration with online florist Bloom & Wild to revive the prints of the renowned 19th century collective for a limited-edition range of printed boxes, letterbox flowers and hand tied bouquets. The collection was created with great care and consideration as I am hugely aware of the responsibility that comes with the Morris & Co. legacy, and strive to uphold the aesthetic and ethos in everything I do. I have worked with designs from the incredible archives to include the origi
H&M x Morris & Co.I worked in collaboration with H&M to design a unique collection for Morris & Co. launching globally, in store and online for autumn 2019. The H&M collection included a wide range of strong tailored coats, jackets and trousers, romantic dresses and blouses, cosy knits and coordinating separates. Silhouettes were longer yet lean, with wool blends, velvet and fluid fabrics, and details such as tie-necks, voluminous sleeves, knife pleats and ruffles. The Morris & Co. prints used throughout the H&
Morris & Co. x SelamatI have worked collaboratively with Selamat’s design department to successfully launch a capsule furniture collection for Morris & Co. x Selamat at Highpoint Market USA. I worked with the skilled design team during the product development phase to apply design trends across product categories whilst capturing the Morris & Co. brand identity. The collection was inspired by the Morris & Co. archive; valuing simplicity, craftsmanship and sustainable home décor, heavily inspired by flora and fauna
Scion HaberdasheryIntroducing Scion, an upbeat brand for everyone, with zesty colours, clean Scandi-inspired designs and fresh ideas for modern living. This collection of haberdashery fabrics was created for John Lewis and Partners to include a combination of characters, geometrics and co-ordinating patterns.
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Loewe x Morris & Co.A capsule collection released in collaboration with Luxury fashion house Loewe. Inspired by the work of 19th-century British textile designer William Morris. Fall/Winter 2017.
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Morris & Co. Faulton UmbrellasWilliam Morris, the single most influential designer of the 19th Century, was renowned for his prints throughout the world. Today, these designs are brought to us by Morris & Co. branding which guarantees the authenticity of those enduring designs. This range of umbrellas has been produced exclusively by Fulton, using only the highest quality materials and engineering standards before being individually hand finished.

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Work history

Design ConsultantApril Sharman

Oct 2020Loughborough, United KingdomFreelance

Scope of work: • Market research, supporting ongoing product and competitor research. • Trend analysis to ensure opportunities for placement and further growth are maximised. • Colour Theory, I am a highly reputable textiles and CAD colourist, with a sensitive approach towards applying colour to deliver the desired atmosphere successfully. • Product portfolio analysis and licensing strategy to ensure clarity on new ranges. • Product visualisation and forward vision for design products. • Brand strategy, ensuring clear objectives, prioritisation and timelines are met • Wallpaper proofing and production • Mood Board • Manufacturing liaison • Brand presentation • attending meetings/design briefings with major customers as required. • Manage the sign-off process for all design development, finished product and print production • Supporting with product presentations, look-books and mood boards demonstrating new developments

Design Manager - LicensingStyle Library

Feb 2016 - Oct 2020Loughborough, United KingdomFull Time

A highly motivated, dynamic and creative individual responsible for leading creative licensing team through design projects with key partners across an established and impressive brand portfolio including Sanderson, Morris & Co., Harlequin, Scion, Zoffany and Anthology. Working with market leading category specialists in the UK, Europe, Asia, the USA and Australasia, to extend the licensing business, in developing aspirational lifestyle products, which can in turn be supported by a global network of retailers. offering a wide range of original and authentic interior products, targeted at the mid to upper end of the premium interiors market. Responsibilities • Responsible for the management of design projects and the forward vision for licensed products across the Group brands. • International travel, working closely with key partners and external agencies. • Work with Licensing Director to continuously develop the licensed product offer in line with the licensing strategy. • In addition to developing the branded offer, explore opportunities to develop non-branded collaborations utilising the Group archive. • Support partners with the presentation of brands and design projects to their customers at major events • Management of the licensing design team, ensuring clear objectives, prioritisation and timelines are adhered to. • Maintain regular communication with brand design teams to ensure clarity on new ranges in development for forthcoming seasons. • Work closely with international partners and their creative teams to ensure product is developed to suit individual requirements, reflecting the brand DNA and market postioning. • Ensure appropriate time is allocated to the individual partners, reflecting the current and future potential and importance of revenue for the Group. • Work closely with the Licensing Director and Licensing Manager to define strategic objectives for the future. • Regular travel to trade fairs, researching global market trends supporting ongoing product and competitor research. • Work with partners to review, evolve and extend the licensing product offer to ensure opportunities for placement and further growth are maximised. • Manage the sign-off process for all design development and finished product. • In depth knowledge and understanding of heritage brands and archive. • Work alongside Licensing Director and Licensing Manager to demonstrate proactive approach to new product areas and categories • Manage daily creative output and ensure team remain focused, motivated and supported. • Work with Licensing Manager to ensure products launches are communicated to the wider business on a regular basis. • Support Key Accounts team with product presentations, look-books and new developments, attending meetings/design briefings with major customers as required.

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Skills

Design
Design Leadership
Design Management
Design Pattern
Design Processes
Design Patterns
Design Process
Design Packages
Design Production
Design Layout
Design Innovation
Design Development
Art Creating
Art Design
Art Direction
Art Drawing
Art Editing
Art Assistance
Creative
Creative Branding
Creative Concept
Creative Consulting
Creative Concepts
Creative Campaigns
Creative Art Direction
Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal Skills
Brief Interpretation
Interior Decoration
Interior Textiles
Interiors
Commercial Interior Design
Commercial Interiors
Interior Design
Adobe
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Create Suite
Adobe Indesign
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Suite
Retail
Retail Packaging
Retail Design
Fashion Retail
Home Decor
Homeware Design
Colour
Colour Analysis
Colour Balance
Colour Compositions
Colour Correcting
Colour Design
Colour Fabric
Colour Management
Colour Schemes
Colouring
Colour Theory
Colours
Fabric Colour
Colour Palette
Colour Correction
Colour Matching
Pattern Development
Print Pattern
Repeat Pattern
Surface Pattern
Pattern Design
Drawing
Drawing Sketching
Drawings
Digital Drawing
Hand Drawing
Detailed Drawing
CAD Drawings
Illustration
Abobe Illustrator
Floral Illustration
Digital Illustration
Trend Analysis
Trend Forecasting
Trend Prediction
Trend Research
Trend Reporting
Trend Spotting
Analysing Trends
Cultural Trends
Consumer Trends
Future Trends
Leadership
Creative Leadership
Team Leadership
Organisation
Commercial
Commercial Art
Commercial Design
Commercial Photography
Commercial Styling
Problem Solving
Brand Activation
Brand Analysis
Brand Awareness
Brand Concept
Brand Creative Strategy
Brand Consultancy
Fabric
Fabric Design
Wallpaper Design
Wallpapers

Education

global marketingFutureLearn

Jul 2020 - Jul 2020United Kingdom

Understand the benefits of global marketing to businesses. Rapid globalisation and the advance of technology has created ‘born global’ organisations. From the moment businesses are established, they realise the importance of adopting a global focus and dedicate time and resources to expanding internationally. A clear understanding of global marketing as well as the challenges and benefits for firms entering new markets. Examine the need for organisations to go global and how digital marketing technologies have accelerated this process. Reflect on personal experiences of global marketing.

Digital Skills: Social MediaFutureLearn

Jul 2020 - Jul 2020United Kingdom

How to effectively use social media for business. Why social media is relevant for businesses today and how you can use it to establish and improve your brand. The key steps in promoting your brand through social media, including setting campaign objectives, identifying the target audience and the right channels, creating engaging content and managing your presence to include examples of different social media channels, tips for using them and how to measure success and improve your campaigns.

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