Hannah Allan

I'm a forward-thinking, multi-skilled creative with trend forecasting at the heart of what I do. As a visual storyteller, I enjoy crafting fresh design concepts with rich narratives behind them, grounded by consumer insights, that clients can really buy into the story of in order to help sell to their customer base. In my current role of Kidswear Trend Editor for leading trend forecasting agency WGSN, I research, design and write key trend reports up to 2 years ahead of season; focusing on everything from key colour, materials and finishes, to what is driving the trend and what it will mean for brands, buyers and consumers.

I'm constantly on the look out for new and exciting things within culture, society and the design world that can feed into kids' lifestyle and fashion. My previous role at Pigment saw me work in-house as a strategic trend researcher, implementing trends within the business, helping to drive newness, build trend awareness and create products that really resonate. Working as a Creative Trend Editor for futures agency Trend Bible, I creatively directed the Baby and Kid's Lifestyle trend book; producing 4 commercial, inspiring stories per season for the sector, working 2 years ahead of season.

This role gave me real in-depth knowledge of the baby & kids industry. I also creatively led on Trend Bible's Festive Forecast, a new product that looked at gifting, tableware and decoration trends for the festive season. As well as this, I worked on bespoke trend application for the gift and greetings sector, curating and presenting trends and insights tailored to our client's needs and specific products.

Prior to this, my work within a creative studio for over 3 years as a designer and illustrator for Hallmark Cards gave me a chance to gain valuable experience in creating commercial product. I developed my own personal handwriting, illustrative style and understanding of the importance of considering both the consumer and design detail throughout the creative process. My current role, along with my previous roles, has allowed me to build up strong skills in Adobe CS.

I've seen my work go live onto Pigment product, created seasonal trend books that are sold to leading retailers, and presented trends and key consumer insights to clients across both the baby & kids and gift & greetings sectors. All of these are skills and areas I'm passionate about and wish to explore further in my career, transferring my expertise in both design industries to future roles. I'm an all-round hard worker and work well as part of a team or independently.

I'm a good mentor and an empathetic leader who looks to inspire, support and encourage creative collaboration within teams. I like getting to know new people, learning new skills and thrive on the joy of seeing initial ideas and concepts come to life.

Kidswear Trend Editor & Strategist - WGSN

(2022-08)

mat cover

• Write key kids' trend reports for WGSN's subscription platform, working across baby, toddler, girls, boys and tween, providing design and colour direction up to 2 years ahead of season
• Trend Research; contribute towards WGSN's Trend Days, develop fresh concepts, source directional imagery, as well as continually looking for emerging design trends, changing consumer behaviours and macro insights across kids lifestyle, fashion and wider industries
• Post daily on WGSN's newsfeed, tracking what is new and relevant to industry
• Seasonal trade show coverage - trend spotting and writing follow-up reports
• Produce 2D cad drawings and create briefs for 3D cads

Strategic Trend Researcher & Senior Designer - Pigment

(2019-03 - 2022-08)

• Work closely with creative director and product managers on delivering newness
• Create insight and trend-led concepts/style boards for projects. Consider the latest design trends, colour forecasts and consumer behaviours and how these all impact the gift and greetings market and ultimately translate into Pigment product
• Deliver consumer insights to feed into product, design teams and wider business strategy
• Trend Research; develop fresh concepts, source directional imagery, as well as continually looking for emerging design trends, changing consumer behaviours and macro insights and what this means for the industry
• Host 'Creative Sparks' with the design team to encourage innovation and use of latest trends; apply them to existing ranges for refreshes, or to develop new looks
• Compile regular 'trendspotting' boards gathered from comp shops, online research to inspire the design team and keep track of what is happening in our industry and wider design world
• Work closely with internal design team, external freelancers and agencies to brief illustrators, editors and designers. Manage and provide feedback to ensure work is delivered on time and meets the brief
• Liase with product manager on 3D gift project for our key client, running project from initial briefing, managing team and developing new concepts, through to designing and presenting the work back to the client
• Worked with creative director, product manager and artworking team to innovate 3D plastic-free packaging for Pigment's boxed card ranges and 3D product
• Manage Pigment's social media accounts and help drive relevant content
• Present work to clients and help deliver customer presentations
• Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign work

Creative Trend Editor - Trend Bible

(2017-01 - 2019-03)

Promoted from Trend Analyst role, which I held from Jan 2016 - Jan 2017

• Creatively direct and compile the Kid's Lifestyle Trend Books for Spring Summer and Autumn Winter, working 2 years ahead of season
• Lead Trend Panel at the start of each season, before going on to build and develop 4 strong, commercially viable design trends, backed up by key trend drivers
• Colour, material, finish and product direction for Kid's lifestyle and interiors
• Design bespoke prints for both the Kid's Lifestyle and Home & Interior trends
• Direct and manage seasonal styling shoots
• Creatively direct Trend Bible's Festive Forecast, which I developed as a new product for the company using my background in Gift & Greetings. I create 4 festive trends, each with its own print, colour and product direction for decorations, greetings and tableware
• Trend Research; develop fresh concepts, source directional imagery, as well as continually looking for emerging design trends, changing consumer behaviours and macro insights
• Bespoke consultancy for Gift & Greetings sector; running projects from initial briefing, managing junior team, developing new trend concepts through to presenting the work back to clients
• Edit and direct junior team on compiling retail reports for key occasions and seasons
• Brief and manage freelance print designers
• Direct and coach junior team and interns on trend book and consultancy tasks
• Present trend work to clients and deliver presentations at trade shows
• Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign work

Illustrator - Hallmark Cards

(2013-10 - 2016-01)

• Initial trend and concept research
• Illustration, graphics and print
• Trend research; collating & presenting the new season trends & colour palettes
• Running studio workshops in hand lettering as part of trend week
• Designing & formatting cards ready for print
• Gifting, stationery and packaging design
• Typography & Hand Lettering
• Regular features writer on the Hallmark Creative Blog; covering micro trends, inspiration, cultural exhibitions and events
• Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign work

Designer - Hallmark Cards

(2012-09 - 2013-09)

• Designing & formatting personalised cards ready for the online greetings card market
• Designing personalised gifts, packaging and decorative items
• Typography; generating new fonts & lettering for the Direct Smile programme
• Hand lettering
• Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign/Direct Smile work

Womenswear Design Assistant - Jack Wills

(2010-01 - 2010-12)

• Initial trend and design research
• Colour palette research and pantone matching
• Helping put together spec packs for factories
• Aiding the design process
• Accessory and Knitwear Design
• Updating current range plans
• Working on sketches/technical drawings
• Photoshop/illustrator work
• Assisting in model castings

First class BA Hons - Fashion Marketing - Northumbria University A Level - Art, History and Textiles

AS Level - English Language

GCSE - History, Maths, RE, Textiles and other subjects