Merchandise Director– Gamma Phi Beta Sorority
Production, transaction, organization, and distribution of over $30,000 worth of customized collateral for several hundred shareholders.
Applications
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Google Forms, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Forms
Client
Gamma Phi Beta Sorority
San Luis Obispo, California
Time
September 2021– January 2023
Gamma Phi Beta San Luis Obispo is a Greek Life chapter with a mental health focus associated with California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
What is Gamma Phi Beta?
I illustrated and orchestrated orders internally for the 223 members of the chapter and externally to alumni and supporters.
My Role
Over 15 months, I managed solo and collaborative projects within tight budgets and schedules. Working up to 20 hours a week, I liaised with contacts at major retailers like Custom Ink, Hang Loose Hut, Quokka Brew, The Social Life, and more.
Project Execution
Process Flow
-
With time as our biggest competitor, we found that…
Requesting the budget and timeframe several months ahead provided us with the flexibility to explore creative design options and opportunity to value multiple retailers
This stage was frequently clouded by response rates, as each event was overseen by a new individual with their own unique wants and needs
-
What would be best suited for the event? Based on…
Majority of products are sold also to the general public– Ensure product and design is desirable and inclusive to broad target audience
Possibility for consumer to purchase after retailer order is placed– Ensure profitable yet reasonable quantity of back-stock inventory
Assessment of vendor from: pricing per product (+MSRP), shipping cost, delivery date, product stock (OSA), quality of item, and access to representative
Over the course of my position, I co-led and ran production projects for t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, crewnecks, hoodies, hats, booklets, stickers, posters, and more.
-
We…
Crafted unique vector-based graphics in Adobe Illustrator– multiple mocks presented to an Executive Board for final decisions
Collected and organized data to assess product preference and ensure order meets minimum quotas
Approved final proofs, typically after 10+ iterations, and invoices in a timely manner
-
Upon delivery of products, we…
Audited quantity across all sizes/ products– Inquired with vendor for any retail-end mistakes ahead of event
Ensured quality of item is as was described by vendors– Became familiar with screen printing, digital printing, and embroidery industry standards
Sorted each product by the customer's nam
