CV

I’m a designer and creative strategist offering 10+ years of experience leading key growth initiatives. Known as an expert in delivering innovative, high quality, cost-effective solutions and design strategies that improve brand awareness and market share in a fast-paced environment. Empathetic, energetic, and hands-on with a proven progressive career reflecting strong leadership experience that builds and collaborates with highly motivated teams. Highly praised for work ethic, problem-solving and communication skills, and successful delivery of work.

Experience

University of Minnesota | JANUARY 2020 - Present

/ADJUNCT PROFESSOR in Apparel Design and Graphic Design

Kandler Co. | October 2010 - Present

/CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER for Independent Creative Strategy, Design, and Reasearch

Girl Friday | May 2019 - August 2021

/ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR for Artistic Installation Company

Creative Apparel Concepts | May 2014- January 2019

/DESIGNER & CREATIVE STRATEGIST

The Loring Pasta Bar & Varsity Theater | Minneapolis, MN | May 2007 – January 2017

/CATERING & EVENT MANAGER

Faux Poco | St. Paul, MN | January 2011 - August 2012

/MANAGING DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

Calpurnia Peach | Minneapolis, MN | October 2007 – October 2010

/CO-OWNER & CO-FOUNDER

Education

Bachelor of Science in Clothing Design

University Of Minnesota, College of Design | Summa Cum Laude

Master of Business candidate

Carlson School of Management

Skills

Art & Creative Direction
Product Design
Installation Design
Trend Research & Analysis
Brand Management
Customer Service
Photoshoot design and management

Creative Strategy
Graphic Design & Photo Editing
Licensing & Compliance
Marketing Strategy
Social Marketing
Cost and Environmental Footprint Reduction
Event Management

Awards

2020 Legacy Award for Apparel Design Mentorship at the University of MN
Sustainability Award, International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA), 2009
Selected for Metro Magazine’s Top 100 People, Places, and Things in the Twin Cities, 2009

Award for best piece in IKEA apparel design competition, April 2009
Audience choice award for Calpurnia Peach, at Voltage Fashion Amplified, April 2008
Fibiger Award for Body Scanning for Fashion Illustration Undergraduate Research, 2006

Over a decade of experience expanding brands into new markets, connecting them with customers, and building processes for creative teams.

Testimonials

“I was lucky enough to have had Luci as my mentor throughout the development of my senior collection. She always made the time for me and helped me think strategically about both the production of my collection as well as next steps into my career. Luci is definitely someone I’d look to for guidance and I know I can always count on her to share her experiences and connect me with the right resources to succeed!”

— Annie Yang // Assistant Designer at North Face

“Luci is a creative -and fun- teacher and designer! We’ve worked together on a number of projects over the years, but her work as a fashion design mentor in youth programs I’ve managed stands out. Luci has mentored several young women with a “passion for fashion,” and brought sensitivity and wisdom to each relationship, coaxing thoughtful and well executed designs from her teen students. She’s also a great event manager, with a creative eye for audience engagement. She’s an asset to all collaborators! ”

— Aleah Vinick // Manager of Events and Programs at the Science Museum of MN

Contact

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In the Media

Sometimes I get to be a part of the conversation with the stellar design community. Here' s a few tidbits:

Space travel, Challenger explosion inspire fashion designer Luci Kandler

"Kandler identifies mostly as a print designer, who also designs apparel. “Print is my passion,” she says. She loves taking on subjects “that are a little different,” and hiding messages within a print."

Go to City Pages

4 things a designer can teach you about iterative processes

“Your brain and your hand are so connected,” says Luci, that simply using new materials—a notebook vs. a legal pad, a highlighter vs. a marker—can get your mind thinking differently.” Switching between boards filled with Post-it® Super Sticky Notes to a book labeled withPost-it® Tabs allowed her team to work with their ideas in a new way and improved their creative process. “Think of your office supplies as art materials.”

Go to post-it

Emerging artists find an affordable home at Faux Poco

"This is about finding the high school kids or the college kids who want somewhere to come work," she said. "This is addressing the need of the college kids who graduate with either not the right skills that they need to come here and learn, or not the right equipment."

Go to MPR

“When describing the Calpurnia Peach customer, it’s about her personality, not her demographic.”

CV