Kobe Mumford
Designer / Creative
Phone:
443-735-6595
Email:
Date of Birth:
March 25th, 2000
My Story
My name is Kobe Mumford. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in Delaware. From an early age, I was always involved in sports, mainly basketball but I also had a creative side and a natural talent for drawing.
By my junior year of high school, I knew I wanted to pursue design, even though I wasn’t exactly sure what direction to take. In 2018, I attended Arizona State University to study Industrial Design, where I built a strong foundation in sketching, Adobe Creative Suite, SolidWorks, and prototyping.
During my sophomore year of college, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the academic landscape and created an opportunity to further explore my interests. I attended Pensole Lewis College (formerly Pensole Academy), where I discovered a passion for footwear design. Collaborating on brand-focused projects with VF Corporation significantly shaped my perspective and direction as a designer.
After graduating in 2022, I returned to Pensole for a final program sponsored by Carhartt, where I spent an intensive month learning directly from industry professionals about the design process and expectations at a high level. That experience led to a product design opportunity with Carhartt later that year.
I started out supporting Tops and Accessories, which was a shift for me since most of my background had been focused on footwear. I had to quickly learn the world of apparel design on the job from materials, construction, fit, function, and seasonal development. Fortunately, many of the core skills I developed in footwear such as storytelling, problem-solving, and attention to detail which translated seamlessly. That foundation helped me adapt quickly and grow into my role.
Today, I serve as the Lead Accessory Designer for Men’s, where I manage and design the full accessories line.
Throughout my journey, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of storytelling. A strong concept and narrative can be just as important if not more important than the design itself. The best products connect with people on a deeper level. They tell a story, reflect a purpose, and give consumers something they can relate to. That mindset continues to guide my work and push me to create designs that are both functional and meaningful.
Work Experience
Carhartt
October 2022 - Present
Detroit, Michigan
Pensole Lewis College
May 2022 - June 2022
Detroit, MI
Pensole Academy
May - Jul 2021
Remote
Pensole Academy
May - Jul 2021
Remote
Arizona State University
Aug 2018 - May 2022
Men’s Accessories Designer (2022 - Present)
- Started at the company as an Assistant Designer for M’s & W’s Knits, Sweats , and Accessories.
- Role grew over time and I became the sole designer for Men’s Accessories responsible for material , color and concepts being offered in the category.
- Cost engineered and created product that had impact and was also cost effective.
- Contributing in the expansion of Carhartt’s reach of consumers with designing into new channels and targeting a new consumer group.
- Cross functional teamwork and leadership was a daily ask in this role from building stories through color and material to making decisions on pattern, fit , and trims being utilized.
- Worked with vendors to design concepts through exploratory samples that would later be implemented in the line. Partnered in stitching techniques , silhouettes , and color blocking.
- Traveled to multiple jobsites around the country conducting consumer research along with hearing their strories and experiencing their daily tasks.
- Every year I volunteered to assist the Jalen Rose Academy student in the Mercy program on their yearly design contest. This event was something Carhartt did to give back to the community.
Footwear Design Apprentice for Carhartt (4 weeks)
- Develop a shoe for a consumer who identifies with the Detroit community and works towards a greener and more susitainable future.
- Work closely with the product designers from Carhartt and Pensole on the development of a footwear project.
Footwear Design Apprentice for Timberland (8 weeks)
- Redesign of the six-inch boot for brand’s 50th anniversary.
- Collaborate closely with designers from Timberland on design concepts.
Footwear Design Apprentice for The North Face (4 weeks)
- Develop a shoe for a new type of “explorer” consumer to redefine what it means to be one.
- Collaborate closely with designers from The North Face on design concepts.
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design
-Cum laude Honors distinction, Dean’s List recipient 2019 - 2021