Experience

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  Carolina Lares Designs

  • Aventura, Florida

  • Senior Designer and Consultant

    • May 2012 - Present
    • Aventura, Florida

    Leading and consulting all aspects of the design process, from conceptual stage up to prototype inspection, including but not limited to, production, materials, finishes, product assembly, pricing and marketing.My career objective is to create, select and develop new designs that will contribute and differentiate a company by highlighting their products and service, in the competitive industry, as an innovative one. But not only limited to support their market share goals, but also to increase their sales revenues.

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  Authenticity Lighting LLC

  • Larchmont, New York

  • Start-up Senior Product Designer

    • Jan 2010 - May 2012
    • Larchmont, New York

    Designer for a start-up lighting company creating, organizing and developing the design and product development departments. Complete control of all aspects of the design process from conceptual stage up to prototype examination and finished sample. Performed relevant research and compiled trend information, regarding new styles, looks, color schemes, materials and vendors for a specified market. Responsible for traveling to Asia to review prototypes and to solve engineering and K/D issues. Worked directly with several oversea factories to develop the best product at the best price. Accountable for developing a boutique style High-End product line that counts with more than 200 SKU’s in a two year period. Created a diversify product line by designing lighting fixtures with unique looks, materials and manufacturing techniques. Sourced decorative design elements, new materials and product manufacturers overseas and visited them to review their production capabilities for developing the parts needed. Responsible for providing Marketing and Sales departments with the selection of images, catalog layout, product feature, benefits, application, names, romance, pricing and competition needed for the respective marketing Campaigns.

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  Golden Lighting

  • Tallahassee, Florida

  • Product Manager

    • Aug 2008 - Dec 2009
    • Tallahassee, Florida

    Oversaw product design and product development departments from conceptual stage up to production inspection in the areas of Indoor and Outdoor Lighting, including but not limited to, product design, prototype review, K/D assembly, engineering and packaging. Negotiated directly with the factories to develop the best product at the target price. Expanded the overall product line by adding different design looks, materials and price points. Improved the product packaging to avoid returns caused by UPS mishandling. Implemented a new instruction sheets layout to facilitate the assembly process to the end consumer. Created and generated product surveys for the new design concepts and samples. Engaged in product planning processes, by recommending new looks and new project time lines. Performed relevant research and compiled trend information regarding new styles, looks, color schemes, materials and vendors. Cooperated with the Marketing and Sales department in the selection of images, catalog layout, product feature, benefits, applications, names, romance, competitors and pricing. Involved in special design projects for internet retailers. Worked with the sales team in designing the Dallas showroom and managing product installation and labor.

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  Carolina Lares Design Group

  • Aventura, Florida

  • Design Director/Design Consultant

    • Sep 2001 - Sep 2008
    • Aventura, Florida

    Project Manager and Designer from conceptual stage up to finished sample, in the areas of lighting, accessories, home decor products and showrooms. My extensive clientele included companies such as Kalco, Corbett, Seagull Lighting, Volume International, Cambridge Lamps, Ambiance, Livex Lighting, CAL Lighting, Pieri Creations and others. My product design responsibilities included market trend research, sourcing, conceptual design, product design, pricing, design presentation, finish development and full scale drawings. Other responsibilities included Showroom design and layout, construction and installation management, furniture selections and purchasing.

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  Quoizel

  • Goose Creek, South Carolina

  • Senior Designer

    • May 2005 - Apr 2007
    • Goose Creek, South Carolina

    Project manager and designer from conceptual stage up to finished samples in the areas of Outdoor Lighting, Residential Lighting, Home Accessories and Mirrors. Traveling to Asia to review prototypes and to work with different manufacturers directly to develop the best product at the best price. Sourced decorative design elements, unique materials and product manufacturers. Performing relevant research and compiling trend information, regarding new styles, looks, color schemes, materials and vendors. Responsible for designing and arranging product displays and showroom windows featuring the product lines using furnishings and accessories to create room settings and vignettes. Directing and supervising showroom construction and installation processes.

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  Sea Gull Lighting Products LLC

  • Riverside, New Jersey

  • Decorative Product Designer

    • Mar 1997 - Aug 2001
    • Riverside, New Jersey

    Initiated and improved the overall quality and look of the product line to high end level by designing Lighting, Home décor product and Accessories with updated look and style based on current and future market trends. Experienced in full product cycle from design concept to manufacturing and marketing. Participated in product planning processes, by recommending new looks, performing relevant research and compiling trend information, regarding new styles, looks, color schemes, materials and vendors. Created and produced new hand painted finishes. Facilitated prototype development providing models and patterns, finishes and other techniques. Traveled to different manufacturers in the orient for prototype inspection and to train factory employees about techniques and applications of new finishes used on prototypes and production items. Supervised, directed and trained junior designers in all facets of the design process. Other responsibilities: Cooperated with the Marketing and Sales department in the selection of images, catalog layout, product feature, benefits, application, names, romance, competitors and pricing. Arranged displays for product presentation and photography; Coordinated and designed all Sea Gull Lighting temporary and permanent showrooms including a house like display structure assembly for the builder shows. Special projects: Designed product for the Bob Timberlake trademark as well as for Michelangelo Collection, by Angelo Brothers.

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  Fine Art Lamp

  • Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area

  • Design Assistant

    • 1994 - 1996
    • Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area

    Project Manager assisting the vice-president of Product Development in all aspects of the design process, from conceptual stage up to and including finished sample. Developed design themes for new collections in the area of lighting, home decor and accessories. Initiated new concepts and looks and provided preliminary sketches. Participated in product planning processes by performing relevant research and compiling information for use in the design development. Researched and sourced new materials and vendors in preparation for new styles. Created preliminary sketches using standard drafting techniques. Produced scale mock-ups. Facilitated sample making and provided models and patterns, finishing’s and other techniques. Prepared working plans and detailed drawings for engineering and manufacturing purposes. In complete charge of the shading process. Assisted marketing in developing sales promotional brochures.

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  Cesar Jimenez Design Group – Addison House Interiors

  • Miami, Florida

  • Interior Designer

    • 1991 - 1994
    • Miami, Florida

    Worked for above interior design companies creating preliminary designs and final drawings for residential, hospitality and commercial spaces. Participated in budgeting, quoting and purchasing furnishings and accessories. Supervised construction and installation. Involved in product design and material source for custom pieces and built-in furniture.