Katie Thompson
A color specialist in textile design, digital textile printing and textile testing of various fabrications according to the AATCC standards, Katie is proficient in graphic design with digitally printing engineered prints, repeat prints, and spot printing as well as expertise knowledge in RGB, CMYK, and CIELab color systems and management. Katie also has expertise in apparel design with special emphasis in flat patterning, draping, and technical design. Her digital textile printed work has been shown at national and international venues. She also has advanced knowledge and experience with laser cutting, Adobe Suites software, and OptiTex PDS 11 for computerized pattern making. Katie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design at Iowa State University in 2014. She completed her Master of Science degree at Iowa State in May of 2016 with an emphasis in digital textile printing and textile testing.
Katie worked at Hammer Made in Minneapolis, MN in product development where she oversaw 9 product categories including woven shirts, knit shirts, pants, coats, and men's accessories. From the initial state of design to the shipment of goods Katie is involved. She communities daily with manufacturers and vendors and creates well respected, open communication, relationships. She also worked at Storm Creek designing technical, outdoor, apparel for both men and women for the corporate branding, retail, and resort markets. She works on the product from initial ideation to the completion of production. Duties included trend research, designing, evaluating and fitting samples, approving lab dips, and evaluating production. Katie also worked with private label customers on custom apparel products and accessories as well as creating a seasonal retail and resort catalog in In Design.
Katie managed the DATS (Digital Apparel & Textile Studio) at Iowa State University for 2 years. She is proficient in working with the Mimaki TX2 1600 digital textile printer. She has experience with changing print heads, dampers, and transitioning to new ink sets as well as re-profiling the color management system. Katie has logged in over 3,000 print hours. With managing the DATS lab, Katie also excels in using and operating a Trotec Speedy 400 Co2 laser cutter and Melco Amaya XTS computerized embroidery machine. Katie has laser cut materials from textiles and leather hides to wood and acrylic.
Katie has shown two 8-piece collections and one 12 piece collection at Omaha Fashion Week and won "Top Designer" in March 2015. Each collection was based off a different digitally printed textile design that she designed and printed herself. Check out the 'design portfolio' tab to see images of the collection.
Katie completed a professional internship with Abercrombie & Fitch headquarters in Columbus,
Ohio where she served as a technical design
intern. Her work there included attending and
participating in fit sessions on live models, communicating with vendors overseas, and making and grading patterns using PLM software.
In Katie's free time she loves to spend time
outdoors walking her dog, golfing, and fishing. She enjoys
spending time with her fiance and currently resides in
Minneapolis, Minnesota.