Gemma Kay Waggett

Following a secondment position I was appointed as CMF Design Manager with core responsibility for Wearables (Audio) and New Category (NPI) projects in November 2023. I am responsible for the definition and implementation of a CMF Design Strategy for projects within these sectors and work with the CMF leads for Home and Beauty categories to map CMF opportunities and link concepts across the entire product portfolio. Working collaboratively with ID, UX/UI, Graphics and Packaging, and Retail Design Teams I design and develop products from early concept definition to SOP, and also work on lifecycle activities such as Limited Edition SKUs or market specific requests. Passionate about innovation and material led design I enjoy working closely with suppliers, model making and advanced manufacturing teams to design and develop new ideas. I have had the opportunity to represent the Dyson CMF team at launch events and in media creation (films, reels, interviews) for future products and category showcases. Collaboration with Business Units to define future product strategy, led by market disruption, innovation and CMF opportunity.

Managerial secondment experience for a team of 8, with 2 direct reports. CMF Design Lead for Environmental Control and Wearables Categories. Responsible for defining and delivering a Global CMF strategy. Continual development of a CMF Materials Library and Referencing System. Initiating, developing and maintaining relationships with cross category teams across the business for best practice CMF collaboration. Working closely with engineering teams to develop test standards and specification requirements for materials and product. Focusing on the growth of material led design within the business. Working with Procurement to realise cost targets for samples and production materials and to build a sustainable and efficient Dyson CMF supply chain. Collaboration with commercial teams to manage timelines, forecast take rates against CMF SKU optione and build a CMF ranging strategy for new and future products.

Working as part of a small team to establish the first ever CMF team at Dyson, initially working for Dyson Automotive and then transferring to the home business due to the closure of the car project across all product categories including Haircare and Floorcare. Responsible for the creation and management of new concepts from ideation to physical delivery, designing and developing colours and finishes for both soft and hard materials.

Starting my career at Clarks with a collaboration project in 2014 I went on to build and lead the seasonal Colour and Material direction. Working as 1 of 2 Colour and Material designers in the business for a team of 12 footwear designers in the UK and a wider team of around 5 footwear designers in the US, I created and managed seasonal colour palettes, developed ownable trims, leathers, knits, wovens and designed seasonal graphics, prints, embosses and embroideries. Working on mainline product and collaboration projects I enjoyed seeking out new materials and technologies at trade fairs, trend shows and market visits. Working closely with suppliers to develop articles and product remotely and overseas and completed the British Footwear Association Foundation course.

Working in a small dynamic team I played a lead role in designing colour palettes and delivering colour research and insight to support the Lets Colour Magazine, Colour Futures and the relaunch of the Dulux Heritage range. Working across both Dulux and Cuprinol product ranges I was also responsible for designing and managing the production of colour focused content through photoshoots and video production for the brands literature, website, social media channels and in store POS. To support my output in this role I had technical paint, specialist coatings and wood-care training with leading industry experts. This position was a maternity cover contract.

Colour, Trend and Material focused teaching and workshops with BA Surface Design Textile students.

I designed and developed colour palettes and material samples in line with seasonal concepts as part of a collaboration project.

Freelance Colour and Trend report Contributor for Pantoneview.com - compiling self initiated written reports with supporting imagery of emerging trends across colour, design and lifestyle.

Working at varied scales and in a broad range of materials such as wood, metal, textile, vinyl and plastic I worked closely with in house retail design teams to design and produce bespoke interior environments and props for fashion and lifestyle display. Items were constructed by hand and machine using a range of production methods including CNC, laser cutting, laser etching, water jet cutting, anodizing and powder coating. Clients included Calvin Klein, Topshop, Ralph Lauren, Giffords Circus (I held the position of Set and Prop Manager in 2011 and 2012), Hobbs House Bakery and Diesel Jeans.

Research, sourcing and testing of materials and mediums for projects across a range of disciplines including print, painting and sculpture. Design and development of 2D/3D structures and surfaces in wood, resin, metal and glass with external suppliers and in house team. Working across two sites in addition to creative projects I also managed budgets, studio administration, created detailed condition reports and coordinated logistics.