Color/Materials/Trend/Pantone Enthusiast
Hi, I’m Rachel — a Senior Color & Materials Designer with over 20 years of experience in the footwear industry. I’m currently based in Santa Barbara, California, working as a freelance designer across performance, outdoor, and lifestyle brands.
I’ve always been drawn to the why behind color — how it connects to emotion, culture, and consumer behavior. That curiosity started early (with a high school project on the psychology of color) and has shaped the way I approach design ever since.
My expertise lies in seasonal color strategy, design, and merchandising, allowing me to translate creative vision into compelling product and brand stories. Throughout my career, I’ve collaborated with diverse teams to create innovative, consumer-relevant designs. I also spent several years on the business side of the industry — in operations, marketing, and sales — which continues to inform my approach today.
I focus on building thoughtful, commercially grounded color stories that are both expressive and commercially relevant. I believe color is one of the most powerful tools for creating emotional connection to product, and I’m particularly passionate about telling stories through product that translate seamlessly across collections and resonate with both brand identity and consumers.
Outside of design, you can usually find me dancing hula, at the beach with my family, or reminiscing about my days as a gymnast and high jumper.
Resume available upon request