Benjamin Thornley

Graphic Design Tutor

Yoobee @ Natcoll Design School

My work involves tutoring various classes of 20 students per lab in all aspects of industry standard Graphic design including Adobe CS5 software programmes (Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator), NZQA approved print industry Unit Standards, elements & principles of good design, design theory, the basics of Digital Photography, best practice and interaction with clients. I deliver assignments and assess them according to NZQA standards. My students are studying toward the Diploma in Computer Graphic Design (Level 6).

Freelance

N/A

While on sabbatical in New Zealand maintained a healthy freelance business in and out of the fashion industry. Designed & launched two seasons of new lifestyle brand Black Kiwi, with a story of eco fabrics & sustainability based on the 100% Pure concept. Design and development of surf label Coastlines, helping the company reposition the brand in department stores while maintaining Coastline’s import business, designing apparel and footwear for companies such as Glassons, Hallensteins and promotional products for Torpedo 7 and breweries such as DB and Lion Nathan. Graphic Designer for Module Marketing designing products, POS and other marketing material. Designer & proprietor of Bear Trap Tees selling out of own store, Common, on Auckland’s fashionable Karangahape Road.

Head of Design

Rockport by adidas

Key Responsibilities: • Responsible for driving the overall design & direction of Rockport Apparel in line with company strategy, market trends and Rockport consumer identity and ensuring Rockport maintains a competitive design edge. • Delivering agreed sales and profit plans. • Overseeing product development to within agreed timelines and cost parameters by effectively managing the Design & Development Teams and processes. • Keeping abreast of current and future trends through market visits, attendance at significant shows, and overseas research trips. • Ensuring collection is relevant to the Rockport marketplace and consumer. • Detailed awareness of all channel and competitor activity. • Providing any relevant design input into areas associated with Apparel including Marketing material, POS, showroom dressing etc. Key Achievements: • Re-energised Rockport product offering with overhaul of branding execution, colours, styling and fabrication. • Successfully introduced a 2 tier brand segmentation strategy; Core Rockport, catering for a conservative, 30 to 55 year old consumer and Rockport, Established 1971, focusing on younger, fast fashion for a 18-25 year old consumer. • Helped manage successful integration into Adidas procedures and processes. • Brought on key members of staff to bolster and strengthen the Design & Development departments. • Fostered better working relationships between Design and Product Technologists improving smoother workflows and inspiring pro-active development of styles. • Reviewed and reorganised key areas of the development critical path.

Senior Designer

The Juice Corporation

Key Responsibilities: Starting as designer and quickly rising to Senior Designer, responsible for the design direction for brands such as Slazenger, Hamnett, Katharine Hamnett, Juice, Joe Bloggs and Loyalty & Faith brands for this fashion house producing apparel for UK Highstreet stores such as Burtons, Top Shop, River Island and House Of Fraser and internationally in locations such as Dubai, India & Australia. Key Achievements: • Designed entire Joe Bloggs re-launch collection and accompanying POS, interactive DVD, look-books and show cards. • Designed the single most popular Tee in Juice’s history, selling almost 750,00 units to one retailer. • Worked closely with boxer Amir Khan to design and develop Joe Bloggs sponsored boxing attire for his final three amateur fights.