ANNIE YANO

DESIGNER & CREATIVE STRATEGIST

HOME, BEAUTY, AND LIFESTYLE BRANDS

EXPERIENCE

DESIGN CONSULTANT | 05/2011 - CURRENT

UPPER ARLINGTON, OHIO

Multidisciplinary designer with 10+ years of experience creating trend-forward, emotionally engaging products across home, gifting, and lifestyle. Expert in trend research, storytelling, and bringing ideas from concept to launch with the end user always in mind.

Categories: Home decor, fashion/fine jewelry, accessories, stationary, packaging for bodycare, skincare, fragrance, and CPG.

BEAUTY & HOME - Clients: House of Gleason | Craft & Kin | Blu Atlas | Benevolence L.A. | Supply.co | Aerchitect | Pulsar Creative

JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES - Clients: Kardashian Kollection | Na Hoku | Kelly Wearstler | Colette Malouf | Target

Scope of Work:

• Develop trend-driven assortments, packaging, and branded experiences for DTC and retail channels

• Translate macro and micro trends into actionable product, color, material

• Trend forecasting and brand research to inform long-term product and assortment strategy

• End-to-end design and development

• Produce CAD models, and technical specifications

• Direct vendor sourcing, sampling, and manufacturing with domestic and international partners

• Create moodboards, pitch decks, and storytelling presentations for internal teams and executive stakeholders

• Partner cross-functionally with creative, marketing, logistics, and production teams to align vision, feasibility, and delivery

• Support both emerging and established brands through assortment planning, seasonal rollouts, and market expansion

• Design marketing assets for storefront and social media

• Integrates AI tools into creative research, trend forecasting to increase speed, accuracy, and innovation

BATH & BODY WORKS - COLUMBUS, OHIO

HOME DECOR DESIGNER | JUNE 2018 - SEPTEMBER 2022

• Conducted extensive market and trend research to design seasonal home décor collections that resonated with customers and elevated the brand

• Curated product assortments and collections that increased sales by 42%, contributing $178 million in revenue in 2021

• Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams while independently managing projects to hit tight deadlines

• Supported leadership by creating storytelling materials and visual presentations for internal and external partners

CATO FASHIONS - CHARLOTTE, NC

JEWELRY DESIGNER | OCTOBER 2016 - SEPTEMBER 2017

• Pioneered system for product development by introducing 3D modeling processes, enhancing accuracy and speed

• Researched inspiration and trend to design compelling collections across multiple categories.

• Managed an Associate Designer and partnered with cross-functional teams to align storytelling across multiple categories

• Boosted sales by 30% in the Inspirational category through thoughtful curation and storytelling-driven designs

• Vendor communication, product specs, and cross-department storytelling alignment.

FOSSIL GROUP - DALLAS, TX

ASSOCIATE JEWELRY DESIGNER | APRIL 2013 - OCTOBER 2016

• Developed core and statement jewelry collections by combining trend analysis, historical research, and brand storytelling

• Wrote design briefs and storytelling tools used across product, sales, and marketing teams

• Launched the innovative Micro Charm program, blending emotional storytelling with collectible product design

• Served as a liaison between creative and technical teams, ensuring precision in production and minimizing revisions

S K I L L S

COMPUTER

- ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE

- CANVA

- ATLASSIAN PROGRAMS

- 3D: RHINO 5, KEYSHOT 5

CREATIVE

- FABRICATION

- PROTOTYPING

- STONE SETTING

- METAL CASTING

- CARPENTRY

- SEWING