Tlell Davidson
Vancouver,BC
Summary
Product design leader with over 12 years of experience in furniture, decor and lifestyle brands. Expertise in product strategy, creative direction, and team leadership, effectively translating market insights into successful product opportunities. Proven ability to merge strong design vision and trend analysis with commercial acumen, guiding multidisciplinary teams from concept to launch.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, Product Design
Article
Vancouver
04.2025 - 09.2026
- Owned and developed Article’s company-wide 2028 Design Intent, defining annual creative direction across colour, materiality, key product opportunities, styling, and overall product expression.
- Led Article’s Furniture and Decor Product Design team, overseeing design direction, strategy for all seven product categories, team development, design direction and onboarding for net-new decor categories
- Established and led quarterly product showbacks, translating Design Intent into cohesive room environments and creating stronger alignment between Product Design, Brand, Creative, and Category teams.
- Expanded the Product Design team from five to seven, leading hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and career development.
- Led the Product Design department’s annual functional strategy, resource planning, and budget.
- Led design reviews across furniture and decor, providing creative direction on concept, form, materiality, colour, assortment cohesion, trend and commercial viability.
- Managed project timelines to ensure timely delivery of initiatives across multiple segments.
- Coordinated with internal departments to ensure successful execution of projects according to timeline and vendor constraints.
- Conducted regular performance appraisals for direct reports to enhance team development.
- Monitored competitor activities to adapt strategies in response to industry changes.
- Travelled internationally for vendor visits and attended design events in Vietnam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, NYC, and LA.
Co-Founder & Designer
Sons
Vancouver
06.2023 - 04.2025
- Co-founded and launched a women’s sleepwear brand, leading product design from initial concept through sourcing, development, production, and market launch.
- Created brand identity and customer experience for packaging, e-commerce, campaign imagery, and launch activations, enhancing overall brand perception.
- Partnered directly with overseas manufacturers on fabric sourcing, sampling, costing, and production.
- Managed photographers, designers, and contractors for brand, content, and social campaigns, ensuring cohesive visual representation.
- Achieved retail placement in five North American stores and gained press coverage in The Globe and Mail, Global News, and Hello! Canada, increasing brand visibility.
Co-Founder & Creative Director
Uncomplicated Brands
Vancouver
09.2020 - 05.2024
- Co-founded and grew a six-figure creative business in its first year, achieving 55% year-over-year growth in the final year.
- Led creative strategy, brand identity, digital design, and web development for diverse clients, enhancing brand visibility and engagement.
- Developed cohesive brand systems for visual identity, digital experiences, social content, and pitch materials, strengthening brand consistency and client communication.
- Managed client relationships and multidisciplinary teams of designers, developers, and contractors, ensuring seamless project delivery from brief to execution.
Senior Product Designer
Herschel Supply Company
Vancouver
10.2013 - 06.2020
- Led product design across luggage, travel goods, wallets, and accessories, expanding seasonal assortments across multiple categories.
- Onboarded headwear and travel accessories, enhancing product portfolio diversity.
- Collaborated directly with company leadership and cross-functional teams to develop seasonal concepts, product stories, and cohesive collections balancing brand identity, innovation, and functionality.
- Presented seasonal product launches to global sales teams and internal stakeholders, articulating product strategy and design intent to highlight customer value.
- Collaborated on brand partnerships with Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Bay, MLB, and major airlines, enriching brand offerings.
Freelance Industrial Designer
Ste Marie
Vancouver
- Coordinated end-to-end product design and development for hospitality projects in Vancouver and Baja, encompassing design research, material and product sourcing, custom product development, and artist collaboration.
Education
Bachelor of Design - Honours - Industrial & Product Design
OCAD University
TorontoCertificate of Art and Design -
George Brown College
TorontoLiberal Arts & Human Kinetics -
University of British Columbia
VancouverSkills
- Product Design Strategy
- Creative Direction
- Product Development
- Trend & Competitive Research
- Market Analysis
- Category Strategy
- Colour & Material Direction
- Seasonal Storytelling
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Team leadership
- Budget Management
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Brand Strategy
- Line planning
Timeline
Senior Manager, Product Design
Article
04.2025 - 09.2026
Co-Founder & Designer
Sons
06.2023 - 04.2025
Co-Founder & Creative Director
Uncomplicated Brands
09.2020 - 05.2024
Senior Product Designer
Herschel Supply Company
10.2013 - 06.2020
Freelance Industrial Designer
Ste Marie
Bachelor of Design - Honours - Industrial & Product Design
OCAD University
Certificate of Art and Design -
George Brown College
Liberal Arts & Human Kinetics -
University of British Columbia