Resume

Robert D. Frank

Architect/Retail Space Designer

§ Award-winning retail design leader for companies such as Starbucks and Argonaut U.S., providing strategic direction and management to international workgroups in multiple worldwide locations

§ Outstanding interpersonal and relationship building skills, promoting committed, successful cross-functional and cross-regional teamwork in specific areas such as creative design, procurement, channel programs, and operations

§ Recognized for strategic management expertise across multiple entities and players while helping to create profitable projects worldwide, both within specific brand requirements and ahead of the global retail trends

§ Legacy of establishing strong professional working relationships with clients, owners, colleagues, and consultants

§ As an in-house team leader, instrumental in achieving departmental goals and objectives, while engaging and coaching teams to their highest levels of performance and commitment to the organization

Core Competencies

§ Sustainable design and business development expertise encompassing retail environments, branding, creative team management, business strategy, and prototype rollout

§ Architecture and design project management skills, including creation of layouts, fixtures, and renderings

§ Extensive experience with international client account management in the retail commercial sector.

§ 2D and 3D design software expertise

Experience

n Architectural Retail Designer
The Argonaut, San Jose, California, March 2011 – present

Architectural retail designer focused on designing retail design spaces for Apple Computer Co. in international markets

Key contributions:

§ Interpreted design briefs received from international market partners to design spaces to meet needs of both markets and customers while maintaining brand standards

§ Responsible for managing internal design team, including project managers, drafters, and Cinema 4D rendering team

§ Created Apple Shop layouts, including fixture placement and integration, site survey reviews, shop drawings, renderings, and BOMs

§ Ensured that design execution reflected consistency with company objectives and architectural standards as well as maintaining integrity of brand image

§ Worked with senior executives and development teams to create, manage, and implement fleet-wide initiatives

§ Participated in developing and presenting new design concepts

§ Completed 408 design projects in the last year, including introduction of Apple Shop to major retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Best Buy

n Design Manager
Starbucks Coffee Company, Seattle, Washington, March 2005 – February 2009

Design leader focused on directing Middle East and Central European-based and in-house design of an average 90 new stores per year, and managing country-specific existing store portfolio (Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan, U.A.E., Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, and Russia)

Awards:

§ Winning design solution for Le Louvre Museum, Paris, France’s retail competition for design of Paris Flagship store (which won MAPIC Cannes award 2007)

§ Store Design of the Year finalist in 2008 for opening of Russian market; assisted in development of concept design solution for exterior kiosk and developed concept design solution for small-footprint store

Key contributions:

§ Responsible for $12M yearly budget; managed and created designs for the entire year’s store count.

§ Guided in-house production design team in providing feasibility studies, schematic design and space planning, finish and artwork selections, design drawing implementation.

§ Provided executive direction and leadership to local store development teams via market visits, design clinics and training, store tours, on-site construction support, and daily project communication

§ Ensured that design execution reflected consistency with company objectives and architectural standards as well as maintaining integrity of brand image

§ Developed comprehensive renovation strategy for Middle East region’s existing store portfolio (200+ stores)

§ Communicated market status and deliverables to executive leadership team

§ Identified and managed resources needed for design team to meet agreed schedules; anticipated needs to meet workflow

§ Provided team members with coaching, feedback, and developmental and career opportunities while building effective teamwork practices

§ Participated in developing new concept designs to lead Starbucks store designs into the future

n Intern Architect
Poirier Associates P.C., Murphysboro, Illinois / HMB Architects, Carbondale, Illinois, October 2000 – December 2005

§ Responsible for client management, design development, and project execution for commercial and residential projects

§ Developed construction bid documents, including coordinating integration and production of consultant documents for preliminary as well as schematic design phases of each project managed

§ Administered project documents, including progress pay requests and bid documents

Education & Credentials

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
BS in Architecture

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
Intern Development Program (IDP) certification 2006

Decorated Veteran of U.S. Army Special Forces (1985-1993)

Software

§ Microsoft Office Suite

§ Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop

§ Architectural applications, including AutoCAD, Micro Station, Vectorworks, SketchUp, and Autodesk VIZ 3D

§ Familiar with both Windows and OSX Lion operating system