StylePortfolios: Erwin Enriquez

Erwin Enriquez is a Senior Print Designer for women’s swimwear based in New York City.  With over 10 years experience in the fashion industry with work ranging from repeats, t-shirt graphics, placement prints; to designing hardware and belts.

What is your employment status?
EE: I’m employed at Amerex Group

What is your official job title?
EE: Senior Print Designer

Please summarize your professional career in 1 to 3 sentences; what should everyone know about you?
EE: I am a Senior Print Designer in the fashion industry with over 10 years experience. Most of my career has been designing prints ranging from girls’ urban wear to women’s swim; however I’ve gone far beyond generating prints as I’ve taken on several responsibilities as an assistant designer. I’m enthusiastic with what I do, learning new concepts and taking on more responsibility as the industry changes everyday; and I’m willing to expand my skills in design.

Describe what you do?
EE: I’m the Senior Print Designer for the women’s swimwear division. My job involves researching trends and communicating with the head designer about the aesthetics of our line and how we can achieve this within a given time frame and budget. Of course I also create original artwork or revise purchased prints. The creative aspect of my day-to-day schedule is balanced out with the logistical responsibilities of reviewing strike offs, e-mailing my comments to the factories, organizing lab dips and submits- and most recently creating line sheets and look books of our current swim line.

Why did you choose to be a designer?
EE: I couldn’t see myself pursuing another career path but to “design,” and I’m so happy it landed in the fashion industry.

What steps did you take to become a designer?
EE: I studied at New York University Stern School of Business and majored in Business Management and Organizational Behavior. After graduation I worked in television and landed a job at Videofashion News. I was a fashion videographer and editor who covered New York and London fashion week. I filmed the runway shows and interviewed designers, models, stylists, magazine editors – anyone and everyone involved in the industry. I was inspired when I saw everyone working behind the scenes, whether it be back-stage or designing at their studios. I wanted to continue my career path in this industry, but I wanted to focus on my true passion – design. I took sketching classes at the Arts Student’s League, read books and magazines about Adobe Illustrator which led me to take a night class at the School of Visual Arts, and I took a Fashion Illustration course at the New School. I put together a fashion portfolio and attended fashion career fairs, met with several job agencies, and interviewed at apparel companies. My first apparel job was at Parigi Group as an assistant graphic designer in their girls’ division.

What is the best/most challenging part of your job?
EE: The best part of my job is walking into our showroom or a department store and actually seeing and holding the final product that our team worked on. The most challenging part of my job would be time management because there’s many tasks that must be completed within a limited time frame. It’s important to prioritize and execute the most relevant assignments in order to meet the deadline.

If you weren’t a designer what would you be?
EE: An Architect

How did you get started in design?
EE: I started as an Assistant Graphic Designer.

What do you like about what you do?
EE: There are so many aspects of my job I like. So many. Creating concept artwork and translating it into digital format via Illustrator and/or Photoshop is really cool. I also love sketching bodies along with detailed art of the hardware and trims that go with each style; and I take a lot satisfaction seeing the submits for what I did.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
EE: I see myself as a Head Designer.

What sparked your interest in design?
EE: I have always been a creative type as a kid. I loved to draw, watch movies, read graphic novels, and contemporary fiction. I knew I wanted to do something in the arts when I grew up.

How has your work evolved since you began your career?
EE: When I started, I mostly created prints and wrote Pitch Sheets (color callouts, measurements of artwork) that I would send to the factories. Today I’m definitely taking on more responsibilities and designing more than just prints. I’ve been sketching bodies, creating line sheets, look books, assisting in tech packs, commenting on submits, and interacting with colleagues in a cross-functional team environment. I oversee the production of my prints from concept to finish- and I have the responsibility to see what is approved for mass production.

Are there any types of clothing/footwear/accessories that you avoid wearing?
EE: I haven’t worn sweat pants in a long time.

What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?
EE: I’m fascinated by the Design and construction aspect of work. I’ve been designing prints for years, but here and there I would sketch bodies and create line sheets, look books, researching trends, assist with tech packs- basically doing everything an Assistant Designer would do and that’s the direction in my career I’d like to focus on next- becoming a Fashion Designer.

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your career?
EE: I’ve learned that the apparel industry changes constantly and it’s always good to learn new skills.

What advice would you give to young designers?
EE: My advice is to do your best in whatever it is you have to do that day. Always give your 100% in whatever assignment is given to you because the quality of your work will speak for itself.

Are you superstitious or do you have any rules you live by?
EE: I am not superstitious.

What’s your motto?
EE: Enjoy what you do.

---