Heather Thornton
Experience
Drawing Instructor at Lessons.com and Take Lessons.com
January 2020 - Present
I provide online Drawing, Illustration, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator lessons to children and adults.
Lessons are created to individually address the needs of each student.
Progress and constructive feedback as well as practice assignments are provided with each lesson to help build upon each students skill level.
January 2020 - Present
I provide online Drawing, Illustration, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator lessons to children and adults.
Lessons are created to individually address the needs of each student.
Progress and constructive feedback as well as practice assignments are provided with each lesson to help build upon each students skill level.
Small Business Owner at whirlykidde
January 2015 – Present
Started this sustainable business from the ground up while wearing every hat of the company.
Create from concept all website logos, product photos, social media icons and children's products for both direct to consumer and business to business sales.
Collaborate quarterly and as needed with brand representatives, photographers and social media
influencers.
Building wholesale relationships with children's industry professionals at Earnshaw's Magazine, New York's Playtime Playologie, Faire wholesale and Abound wholesale.
Manage marketing for social media, online and in person events and email marketing.
Coordinate, plan and attend online and local in person events.
Manage all shipping, supplies, inventory and financial planning for the business.
About the business:
whirlykidde is a line of poetic capsule collections of children's products which consists of clothing, soft plush toys and poetry books.
Everything is designed, illustrated and ethically produced in Illinois.
whirlykidde was founded in 2015 by Owner/ Designer Heather Thornton
whirllykidde is located in Naperville, IL
Heather Thornton is the author and illustrator behind the books and designer behind the brand whirlykidde.
January 2015 – Present
Started this sustainable business from the ground up while wearing every hat of the company.
Create from concept all website logos, product photos, social media icons and children's products for both direct to consumer and business to business sales.
Collaborate quarterly and as needed with brand representatives, photographers and social media
influencers.
Building wholesale relationships with children's industry professionals at Earnshaw's Magazine, New York's Playtime Playologie, Faire wholesale and Abound wholesale.
Manage marketing for social media, online and in person events and email marketing.
Coordinate, plan and attend online and local in person events.
Manage all shipping, supplies, inventory and financial planning for the business.
About the business:
whirlykidde is a line of poetic capsule collections of children's products which consists of clothing, soft plush toys and poetry books.
Everything is designed, illustrated and ethically produced in Illinois.
whirlykidde was founded in 2015 by Owner/ Designer Heather Thornton
whirllykidde is located in Naperville, IL
Heather Thornton is the author and illustrator behind the books and designer behind the brand whirlykidde.
Freelance Artist at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics
July 2010 - August 2017
Traveled to area stores for beauty events and for in store support.
Applied makeup using industry skills gained from training as well as
my own color, design and art background.
Attended training meetings twice a year.
July 2010 - August 2017
Traveled to area stores for beauty events and for in store support.
Applied makeup using industry skills gained from training as well as
my own color, design and art background.
Attended training meetings twice a year.
Contract Freelance Designer at Sears Holdings Corporation
December 2005 - December 2010
December 2005 - December 2010
Technical Design Department -October 2006 - December 2010
Assisted the Technical Design Managers in converting Adobe Program files to Lectra Apparel Software files. Sketched Technical flat sketches for Kmart and Sears Brands with all size ranges to be sent for overseas production. Assisted with Specification Tech Packages which includes costing, measurement specifications and garment construction details.
Color Department -March 2006 - October 2006
Assisted the Design Department with Color submissions for Sears Brands. Set up Sears Color Standards with Archroma Design Services for the Summer 2007 Season. Checked color standards and communicated overseas in regards of all Kmart Apparel Brands Color Submissions for the Fall, Holiday, and Spring Seasons. Checked Color evaluation submissions of CAD art for future season lines that included embroidery and dye to match fabrications.
Design Department- December 2005 - March 2006
Responsible for execution of Sears Apostrophe Brand technical flat sketches utilizing Lectra Apparel Software. Assisted with development of Sears' Apostrophe Brand concept line boards, final mini body merchandising boards,style detail forms for presentations and seasonal buys. Interpreted sample garments and inspirational trend boards. Prepared and merchandised the line for presentations with buyers
Contract Freelance Design Assistant at Amerex Group
July 2009 - February 2010
Assisted the Senior Designer of little girls infant toddler outerwear for licenses such as: Carter's,
Osh Kosh, and private label London Fog.
Prepared and updated production spec sheets which included: measurements, fabrications, color
and prints, trims and hardware for garments to be manufactured overseas.
Prepared black and white sketches in Adobe Illustrator for production sketch sheets with
measurements and specifications of garments.
Updated and tracked sample garments pre-production with overseas sample room.
July 2009 - February 2010
Assisted the Senior Designer of little girls infant toddler outerwear for licenses such as: Carter's,
Osh Kosh, and private label London Fog.
Prepared and updated production spec sheets which included: measurements, fabrications, color
and prints, trims and hardware for garments to be manufactured overseas.
Prepared black and white sketches in Adobe Illustrator for production sketch sheets with
measurements and specifications of garments.
Updated and tracked sample garments pre-production with overseas sample room.
Contract Adjunct Faculty Instructor for Fashion Design Program at IADT-Chicago
April 2008 - July 2008
Taught Fashion Illustration and Computer Graphics courses for the Fashion Design Program.
Prepared and demonstrated fashion industry techniques such as sketching with different
mediums: pencil, charcoal, colored pencils, ink, pastels, and computer software programs
applications- Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
Developed classroom management and time management skills throughout the semester of
teaching.
April 2008 - July 2008
Taught Fashion Illustration and Computer Graphics courses for the Fashion Design Program.
Prepared and demonstrated fashion industry techniques such as sketching with different
mediums: pencil, charcoal, colored pencils, ink, pastels, and computer software programs
applications- Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
Developed classroom management and time management skills throughout the semester of
teaching.
Internship Design Assistant at Heyman Corporation
July 2005 - September 2005
Assisted with trend research and product line development of licensed infant and toddler apparel
which included: development of color palettes, assisted with graphic art direction for print
development, execution of final trend boards, and selection of fabrications.
Assisted Senior Designer with key items development for the Baby Einstein Mid Tier account.
Organized and assisted design department with color forecasting and trend research.
July 2005 - September 2005
Assisted with trend research and product line development of licensed infant and toddler apparel
which included: development of color palettes, assisted with graphic art direction for print
development, execution of final trend boards, and selection of fabrications.
Assisted Senior Designer with key items development for the Baby Einstein Mid Tier account.
Organized and assisted design department with color forecasting and trend research.
Sales Representative/Account Executive for Continental Bag Company
March 2001 - July 2004
Exceeded yearly goal of 500k, maintained existing client list and established new contacts during
70% travel across a Midwest territory.
Merchandised and formally presented current style line of women's and men's career apparel to
each potential client.
Textile and sewing construction knowledge utilized during sales presentations as a selling point.
Assisted with development and execution of potential designs and their fittings.
Assisted with purchasing and sourcing of new selling fabrics through trend forecasting and by
visiting markets and shows.
March 2001 - July 2004
Exceeded yearly goal of 500k, maintained existing client list and established new contacts during
70% travel across a Midwest territory.
Merchandised and formally presented current style line of women's and men's career apparel to
each potential client.
Textile and sewing construction knowledge utilized during sales presentations as a selling point.
Assisted with development and execution of potential designs and their fittings.
Assisted with purchasing and sourcing of new selling fabrics through trend forecasting and by
visiting markets and shows.
Retail Marketing Representative for Reebok
May 2000 - February 2001
Trained store managers and associates on Reebok product technology and marketing information
within a Chicago based territory of 80 stores.
Reported consumer feedback during monthly store visits.
Recognized and communicated visual issues such as: signage replacement or loss, inventory
issues, and remerchandising needs.
Worked with various outside corporate vendors during specially sponsored events.
May 2000 - February 2001
Trained store managers and associates on Reebok product technology and marketing information
within a Chicago based territory of 80 stores.
Reported consumer feedback during monthly store visits.
Recognized and communicated visual issues such as: signage replacement or loss, inventory
issues, and remerchandising needs.
Worked with various outside corporate vendors during specially sponsored events.
Education
Illinois Institute of Art Chicago
Bachelor of Fine Arts, BFA, Apparel Design, 2002-2006
Bachelor of Fine Arts, BFA, Apparel Design, 2002-2006
International Academy of Merchandising and Design, Ltd
Associates of Applied Science, AAS, Apparel Design, 1989-1991
Associates of Applied Science, AAS, Apparel Design, 1989-1991