Ranhee Joo is a New York based award-winning product designer with extensive experience developing successful product lines. As a design director at Skip Hop, she was responsible for all of the company’s softgoods and hardgoods from concept to production and created “Zoo” (toddler) line and toy collection. Prior to joining Skip Hop, she worked as an Industrial Designer for Milano Series and designed gift products such as frames, totes, cosmetic cases, and travel bags for Container Store and Crate & Barrel. She also dabbled in jewelry designing both casting and fashion lines. She has a BFA in Industrial Design from Rhode Island School of Design, took a Collaborative Class at MIT and had some fun in Italy studying abroad. She is well versed in trend spotting and always has her eye out for the next big idea. Her creativity also flows through hand sketching, illustration, color rendering, 3D modeling and working in a variety of different mediums such as wood, metal, plastic, fabric, leather, paper and clay.
Experience
SENIOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST at TWO’S COMPANY
Jan 2020 – Oct 2020 Elmsford, NY
A leading company in decorative and fashion accessories and home decor.
Responsible for creating/rebranding their kid’s line, including research, design both products and packaging, product development, and production.
Key Achievements:
• Created brand new DIY craft collection in just 2 months. This was their first collection they’ve developed from scratch.
• Brought fresh and innovative design solutions for products and packaging.
• Managed other OEM products – packaging, pricing and margin chart, master chart, samples, photography, etc.
SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER at AMSCAN
2019 – 2020 Elmsford, NY
World’s leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of decorated party supplies, costumes, accessories and balloons.
Recruited by Product Director for short-term maternity coverage role to develop costume collections for key retailers including Party City, Target and Petco.
Key Achievements:
• Managed all aspects of product development of 2020 Halloween costumes / accessories and New Year’s collections
• Key liaison between international and domestic vendors
• Managed over 1500 skus – development schedule, pricing and margin chart, line sheet, planogram mockups, photography directions, running changes, etc.
Co-Founder / Designer at Merrilulu
January 2017 – 2019 New York
Award-winning boutique kids party décor brand featuring a variety of products – including banners, cupcake toppers and invitations.
Co-founded company with the mission to create party décor that provides parents with simple solutions for throwing easy, affordable kids parties. Oversees all aspects of product development and design along with trend forecasting, sales, order processing and customer service, tradeshows, marketing and social media.
Key Achievements:
• Awarded Best of the Show and Best New Product of “Let’s Party” at the 2019 National Stationery Show (Sloth collection)
• In just 24 months, expanded distribution channels from Merrilulu.com and Etsy.com to include leading third-party eCommerce channels as well as brick and mortar retailers and set up third party fulfillment center and warehouse
• Garnered thousands of followers and fans across key social media channels and media placement
OWNER at RANHEE BUTLER DESIGN
2014 – 2019 Hawthorne, NY
Freelance product design and development, specializing in hard lines and soft lines.
Tapped by leading brands, along with startups and inventors, to create new products. Provided a variety of services – including concepting, product design and development, trend forecasting, strategic planning and branding.
Key Achievements:
• Partnered with leading brands to develop best-selling, award-winning products – including Diaper Dude, Petunia Pickle Bottom and Melissa & Doug
Design Director at Skip Hop
November 2006 – September 2014 New York, NY
Category leading, innovative global lifestyle brand committed to making parenting easy and fun through “Must-Haves Made Better.”
Employee No. 6 of world renown, industry-revolutionizing baby and kids brand. Joined the company during early startup phase and tapped by founders after just one year as a product designer to oversee all product development and design. Directly responsible for all hardgoods and softgoods product lines. Managed NYC-based design team and China-based merchandising team.
Key Achievements:
• Integral part of Skip Hop’s success story – bringing founders’ creative vision from concept to retail – growing company from a kitchen-table startup to $140 million global brand
• Invented best-selling, internationally-recognized and award-winning “ZOO” toddler collection of backpacks, lunch bags and toys – resulting in $100+ million in global sales and significant media publicity as a celebrity go-to product
• Developed and implemented “from scratch” product development
Education
Industrial Design at Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI
Study Abroad at Politecnico di Milano
Milan, Italy
Awards
Best of the Show, National Stationery Show
Merrilulu Sloth Collection
Best New Product of “Let’s Party”, National Stationery Show
Merrilulu Sloth Collection
Preferred Choice Award, Baby Maternity Magazine
Hashtag Kidz ChewBuddy
Product of the Year Award, Creative Child Magazine
Hashtag Kidz ChewBuddy
National Parenting Product Awards, NPPA
Hashtag Kidz ChewBuddy
Earnie Award, Earnshaw’s
Skip Hop Zoo Packs
Best Design Award, Junior
luggage, ABC gym
Silver, Practical Parenting & Pregnancy
bento, owl
Toy of the Year, Parents
owl hug & hide
Mom Tested, Parenting Magazine
bunny mirror toy
Toy of the Year, Parents
bunny mirror toy