Mikki Somera, Creative Director

About

As someone who has been simultaneously managing teams and projects in the design, product development, creative direction, and international marketing and leadership, industries, I am looking for ways to put these talents to good in meeting my next challenge. My unique combination of creative and communication skills in a diverse array of international business and consumer products environments have proven time and again to provide concrete and efficient results. I excel at industrial product design and development, creative direction and marketing. My expertise includes guiding assignments from concept to completion ensuring on-time, on-budget, and on-target results. Plus, I have strong abilities in UX and UI design strategies, production and manufacturing, and B2B marketing strategy.

Experience

Freelance

Jan 2019 – Present

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands / London, England, United Kingdom

Creative Director, Industrial Designer, International Marketer

Oversee design, conceptualization, and strategies for marketing and branding projects from initial sourcing to proposals to clients. Prepare visuals and films. Provide concept drafts and technical illustrations. Create, guide, and collaborate with teams for new projects. Generate products, models, and materials. Source and hire suppliers and distributors. Supervise teams of 5-25 people. • Led global marketing team winning 2019 award for urban entrepreneurial business venture in London for urban farming and produce distribution.

Akio Manufacturing Group, Trion International

Mar 2013 – Jul 2019

Manila, NCR, Philippines / Osaka, Japan / Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Research & Development Technical Consultant, Manufacturing Specialist

Provided creative solutions for product development. Collaborated with business unit leaders to execute development solutions. Orchestrated research and development prototyping phase. Mapped product development systems and processes. Built quality management systems for new business ventures. Prepared market research data, assessments, and proposals to clients. Guided teams of 12-30 people. • Developed three subcontracting manufacturer startups securing five-year contracts to large scale production companies. • Established Yonzon International's quality management system raising production sales by 60% and extended into company's second business venture in garments manufacturing. • Built teams of engineers in Philippines and Vietnam and devised overseas digital integration system for manufacturing services between Tri-Phil International (Philippine based factories) and Tri-Viet International (Vietnam based factories) lowering production lead time by 70%. • Managed team establishing digitalisation system of pattern making and systems management with 75% of documented patterns, 30% of documented research and 90% of existing projects reviewed and digitalised. • Built and led four new design teams in new business expansions including cricket, softball, and soccer for Vietnam manufacturing units. • Set up training programs training skilled employees on new digital program.

Mikki X Mikki

Apr 2018 – Mar 2019

London, England, United Kingdom

Chief Executive Officer

Constructed small manufacturing facility, hired ten people, and designed, manufactured, and sold luxury travel bag line to US, Europe, and Asian markets. ● Delivered all 150 limited bags sold within 3 months from launch.

TriPhil International Inc.

Mar 2012 – Aug 2018

Manila, Philippines/ Osaka, Japan/ Warren, MI USA/ Denver, CO, USA

Design Director, Head Designer

Spearheaded ideas and direction for design and production teams of up to 125 people. Proposed new products/business ventures to clients and chair and CEO. Liaised with engineers, researchers and specialist to establish patent specifications and applications approval. Introduced quarterly leadership trainings and taught specialists and designers on new product development. Supervised global shipment and distribution.. ● Designed, patented, and produced technology of VEVO Glove Series for Warrior Sports increasing sales by 45% during US market launch. Managed three recurring design teams of development, production training, and implementation.The technology was carried on for regular product line series, under the EVO Warrior line, until the present. ● Created, developed and collaborated the PRISM technology for product manufacturing of Sports equipment reducing part lists by 90%, production lead time by 80% and material sourcing by 50%. ● Designed bag line using indigenous materials for Japanese market. ● Supervised team of researchers and sample makers to produce and provide model references of techniques for new product lines under Trion International later transferring into new business unit. ● Received Breakthrough Sports Design Award, 2013

TPII - Warrior Sports, Brine Sports, Rawlings Sports

Mar 2010 – Feb 2012

Manila, Philippines/ Osaka, Japan/ Warren, MI USA

Designer

Created, designed and developed sports products; Lead a team of pattern makers and sewers for development, production training and implementation.). Supervised 3-12 people. ● Served as lead designer for Warrior and Brine lacrosse, Warrior ice hockey, and Rawlings Baseball accounts.

Philippine Centre for International Trade Expositions and Missions

Mar 2009 – Dec 2009

Manila, Philippines

Assistant Designer, Exhibitions

Orchestrated production process of exhibition structures assisted by 40 people. ● Produced Wellness Exhibition Modular Frameworks.

Education

HULT International Business School, London

Sep 2018 – Aug 2019

Masters, International Marketing

University of Santo Tomas

Jun 2006 – Mar 2011

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Industrial Design

Mikki Somera

Creative Director

Skills

Languages