I have a collective background in interior architecture and industrial design. With over fourteen years of experience, I specialize in the conceptualization, development, and implementation of built environments across multiple disciplines including lifestyle and luxury retail, hospitality, residential, workspace, and furniture design. Over 90% of the projects with which I have been involved throughout my career have been realized and I relish every phase from start to finish.
Prior to venturing on my own, I most recently served as Director of Store Design at Saks Fifth Avenue where my internal group partnered with world-class firms to deliver the interior and exterior design for all new stores, renovations, and relocations. I am highly involved in the design and architecture industry and consistently strive to bridge all disciplines including hospitality, residential, workspace, and retail. Designing for the experience in any sector is universal.
As evidenced by my career achievements, affinity for collaboration, and keen design skillset, I channel my energy and enthusiasm into creating dynamic branded environments and building passionate teams. The award-winning results and industry recognition that my groups and I have produced are a testament to the hard work and dedication that I model and foster.
Above all, I approach design challenges from a unique point of view and follow a solution-based strategy to problem solving when guiding the creative process. In the spirit of discovery and entrepreneurship, I strive to develop elegant design schemes with a strong client-centric service orientation, even when faced with tight schedules and budgetary constraints.
Adam Carmichael Design + Creative, Brooklyn, NY, US, Founder
- Founder of design consulting business focusing on residential and commercial interior design, exterior conceptualization, graphic design, furniture design, and visual communication
Saks Fifth Avenue - Store Planning and Construction Department, New York, NY, US, Director, Store Design
- Directed concept development, design, architectural planning, implementation, and budgets of the three-dimensional brand experience of over 1,800,000 square feet of new, renovated, and relocated space
- Environments included general architecture, exteriors, Women’s, Men’s, Personal Shopping Areas, Accessories, Handbags, Sunglasses, Shoes, Jewelry, Beauty, Kids, and executive offices
- Directed design and planning of hospitality initiatives including elevated restaurants, lounges, bars, food halls, spas, and salons
- Managed global Store Design, Store Planning, and in-house consultant teams
- Controlled and managed FFE Budgets
- Managed Design Architects and Architects of Record during development phase to ensure projects were maintained on schedule and within budget
- Developed and maintained Design Standards including all interior and architectural elements and libraries of finish, furniture, decorative lighting, accessory specifications, and fixtures from over 400 vendor partners
- Provided design and planning direction and managed budget for annual capital improvement and facilities maintenance projects, as well as merchant and visual merchandising initiatives for entire fleet
- Reviewed and delivered insight on vendor shop submissions and oversaw the development of design criteria parameters
- Managed millworker and contractor partners to ensure design intent realization through review of finish, shop drawing, and architectural submittals
- Partnered with Finance, Merchant, Purchasing, and Construction Teams to ensure design strategies aligned with business needs
- Attended on-site construction meetings to resolve field issues and develop punch lists
Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, New York, NY, US, Director, Store Design, Planning, and Visual Merchandising
- Oversaw design, planning, and visual merchandising for off-price division, further developing the ‘Luxury in a Loft’ concept
- Managed FFE and Visual Merchandise budget guidelines
- Contributed to Men’s and Women’s Private Label marketing collateral development and photo shoots
- Led Visual Merchandising Teams in store openings
- Led company-wide calls with in-store Visual Directors to discuss new initiatives and merchandise categories
Adam Carmichael Design + Creative, New York, NY, US, Founder
- Founder of design consulting business focusing on residential and commercial interior design, exterior conceptualization, graphic design, furniture design, and visual communication
Jones Apparel Group, New York, NY, US, Senior Store Designer
- Designed retail locations, wholesale shop-in-shops, showrooms, fixtures, and trade show exhibits from conception through project completion for apparel, footwear, jewelry and accessories divisions of brand portfolio
- Executed visual communication for designs through hand and computer-generated 2D and 3D mediums
- Developed design documents, millwork drawings, details and sections for planning, production, and fabrication
- Supervised Junior Design team, distributed and managed projects to ensure effective, efficient task completion
- Identified brand growth potential and market share opportunities
- Served as liaison for international licensees, approved plans, finishes and store designs to ensure brand consistency
- Reviewed budgets, sourced vendors, materials and millwork manufacturers, and introduced value engineering recommendations
The Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH, US, Bachelors, Interior Design
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design; minors in Industrial Design and Studio Art
- Five year program - two years in Foundation and three years in Major
EuroShop, Retail Design Awards 2017, Award
Best Retail Design Globally, Saks Fifth Avenue at Eaton Centre, Toronto, Canada
Retail Design Institute 46th International Design Awards, Award
Saks Food Hall by Pusateri's, Sherway Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Interior Design Magazine - Best of Year Award 2017, Honorable Mention
Honoree, Best Large Retail Design, Saks Fifth Avenue at Brookfield Place, New York
Interior Design Magazine - Best of Year Awards 2017, Honorable Mention
Honoree, Best Large Retail Design, Saks Fifth Avenue at Eaton Centre, Toronto, Canada
Retail Design Institute 46th International Design Awards, Award
Best Design, Innovation and Artistic Expression Award, Eaton Centre, Toronto, Canada
design:retail Magazine 2016 Portfolio Awards, Award
Best Store Designs of the Year - Saks Fifth Avenue at Eaton Centre, Toronto, Canada
design:retail Magazine 2015 Portfolio Awards, Award
Named one of ten Influencers of 2015, nominated by peers
design:retail Magazine 2015 Portfolio Awards, Award
Best Store Designs of the Year - San Juan, Puerto Rico, Lead Design for Saks Fifth Avenue, New Store
VM+SD Magazine Retail Renovation of the Year, 1st Place
Retail Renovation of the Year - Lead Design for The Fifth Man and D-Bar at Saks Fifth Avenue
design:retail Magazine 2014 Portfolio Awards, Award
Best Store Designs of the Year - Lead Design for The Fifth Man at Saks Fifth Avenue, Relocation
2011 PAVE Rising Star Award, 1st Place
Top honor awarded to young professionals who exhibit outstanding leadership in the retail environments industry
