Pacific Northwest Events
About Retail Design Institute’s Pacific Northwest Chapter:
Welcome to the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Retail Design Institute.
We are a diverse group of designers, architects, graphic designers, suppliers, retailers, educators and students with the goal of advancing innovation and collaboration in the creation of selling environments. Just as we are surrounded by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest our chapter which encompasses Washington, Oregon and Idaho is surrounded by some well known retailers in the country if not the world. Retailers like Starbucks, Nordstrom, Costco, Eddie Bauer, Amazon, Microsoft, Nintendo, Tommy Bahama, REI, Columbia Sportswear and Nike are just a few of our friends and neighbors.
The advancement of innovation and collaboration happens through our chapter meetings, presentations, networking events and retail walking tours and it is the energy and enthusiasm from our members that makes the Pacific Northwest Chapter stronger every day. We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events.
Pacific Northwest Chapter Board members
mlsmith46 @ comcast.net
Maria Smith’s career path originated in the Midwest but has taken her to both the east and west coasts of the United States. A career of extensive experience, diverse capabilities and proven leadership has unfolded over 17 years of practice within the design industry. She has worked for Fortune 500 companies (Starbucks Coffee Company and Limited Brands), nationally recognized design firms (LS3P, FRCH and Fitch) and small consulting firms.
Maria has managed multiple complex projects and teams of various sizes, been a successful liason between multiple disciplines and consistently delivered results positively affecting the bottom line. Her specialties are:
* design & design development
* management of cross functional teams
* standards development
* training and coaching
* vendor and client management
* project management
Her greatest assets are in identifying strategic opportunities and obtaining high quality results. Maria’s passion lies in building talent, commitment and partnership.
As Associate Vice Principal at CallisonRTKL, Amy is currently directing and managing the design of multiple retail clients. Of her 27 years of design experience, 19 years have been at Callison/CallisonRTKL where Amy has worked nearly exclusively on retail projects. From design to planning to construction, she has been involved in, or adjacent to all aspects of retail design.
A registered architect since 1997, Amy created a Women’s Forum for the local CallisonRTKL office as a way to inspire and connect with younger women architects and designers. Two of the most successful events have been women in leadership panel discussions. The first panel included leaders from outside the design profession and
the most recent panel last month included Dena Yamaguchi (Director of Design Wyndham Destinations), Lourdes Burson (Director of Store Design AT&T), and Lisa Arthofer (Vice President of New Business Development for OpenSquare).
In addition, Amy is a Leed Green Associate and an AIA member. She attended the most recent AIA 2018 conference in New York and the AIA Women in Leadership conference in 2015.
Amy’s experience prior to and in between her years of service at Callison/CallisonRTKL include design of collegiate, commercial and public sector projects. Originally from Colorado, Amy graduated with a BA in Environmental Design from the University of Colorado and move to Seattle in 1992. She currently resides in the city of Seattle with her husband and son.
John has over 15 years of experience working in large format printing to create environmental graphics for retail branding and campaigns. This includes wall murals, window graphics, in-store displays, retail POP, new construction and remodel for clients Eddie Bauer, REI, T-Mobile and many regional banks and credit unions.
John brings an entrepreneur spirit to his projects having previously owned BIGink LLC which was acquired by Rainier Industries in 2012. At Rainier, John has added wood, metal and fabric capabilities to create experiences for retail customers. This includes; image décor, wayfinding, category, event and informative displays.
For the past 15 years, Jared has been helping iconic brands create visually engaging customer environments. He is a hands-on leader who works closely with creative teams, partners and executive stakeholders to deliver boundary-pushing retail experiences. Jared brings a passion for design that works to every project, whether it’s a meticulously merchandised shop-in-shop installation or ground-up store build. His tenure at Nordstrom focused his efforts in helping brands realize their luxury retail visions. As Senior Project Manager at REI, Jared oversees the design and execution of REI Washington, D.C., the newest addition to the co-op’s flagship fleet. When Jared’s not collaborating on the next big idea to enhance the REI member experience, chances are he’s scaling a mountain in the Cascade or Olympic ranges.
ptb @ ptbdesignservices.com
As the founder and principal designer for PTB Design Services, Peter-Tolin Baker provides creative visual design solutions for a full range of retailers, designer brands, theatrical and promotional events. Often working with new or rapidly expanding businesses and brands, Baker understands the importance of communication, strategy and flexibility throughout the design and production process. Clients include: Nicole Miller, Saundra Messinger Jewelry, PacTeam America, Patron, The Macallan, Kwiat, JC Penney, and Calvin Klein.
Previously during Baker’s tenure at Tiffany & Co. in New York City, he was responsible for product presentations and display standards within all sales locations worldwide. Additionally, his role often required partnering directly with Tiffany’s legendary designers on their product presentations, including Frank Gehry, Paloma Picasso and Elsa Peretti. Significant store planning projects involved interfacing with such distinguished architecture and design firms including Yabu Pushelberg, Kengo Kumo & Associates, and Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
Baker launched his retail career as the visual manager with the legendary luxury emporium Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan; a position that frequently required working directly with both well-established and new fashion designers on display window and in-store presentations. Designers including Michael Kors, Todd Oldham, and Jean-Paul Gaultier all relied on Baker to translate their brand and vision into sales.
Initial design and retail experience included clothing design for the award-winning contemporary clothing brand Japanese Weekend and design and construction management for Edward Martinez Fabrications, a custom display and prop company with clients that included Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, and the Smithsonian Institute.
Additionally, Baker has worked as scenic designer for dozens of dramatic and musical productions. Earlier on in his career, he was both production designer and performer with the groundbreaking band Voice Farm, which, under the Morgan Creek Records label, played to sold-out crowds in venues such as the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles, The Fillmore in San Francisco and Madison Square Garden.
He is a regular contributor for Design:Retail magazine and has been a respected Adjunct Professor at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology as well as past President of the Retail Design Institute New York Chapter. Baker graduated magna cum laude from San Francisco State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in scenic design & fine arts.
As a creative/marketing professional with a design background, I bring a strategic point of view around the design process that focuses on consumer engagement and the emotional connection with a brand. As the Head of Strategy and Trends committee of the chapter, my focus is to provide intelligence on pertinent industry topics that are top of mind for our members that not only address creative challenges, but also technical challenges.
My specialty is providing a nuanced and thoughtful approach that incorporates a creative and scientific perspective to design that is on-trend, brand-right, and within budget. I have experience in various leadership roles on other boards with Shop! Association and AIGA. These roles have enabled me to provide a platform for others to celebrate excellent design and innovation in order to elevate and share brands through an evolving creative process.
dyamaguchi @ retaildesigninstitute.org
With over 20 years in the design business, Dena has been a member of the Retail Design Institute since 2006. As former President of the PNW Chapter over the past 4 years, she is excited to hand the reigns over to new leadership.
Dena has led highly effective teams through retail remodels and expansions, new stores, vendor shop roll-outs and branding initiatives. She comes with the aptitude to cross collaborate within various levels of an organization and has the ability to translate between the creative and business language. She currently holds the role of Design Director for Wyndham Vacation Ownership, transitioning her retail knowledge into the Hospitality industry.
Originally from Los Angeles, Dena lived in San Francisco prior to migrating to Seattle. She is a graduate of California State University at Long Beach with a BA in Interior Design. When she’s not around town in Seattle, you can find her in the mountains on a ski slope.