amber kleiner


I am a versatile, solution-oriented design leader with over 20 years of experience creating private label products that are both beautiful and functional. My work spans home, tabletop, textiles, and lifestyle categories, with a foundation in giftable ceramics and a continued passion for thoughtful product design.


I specialize in developing end-to-end product visions, translating trends into brand-right, commercially successful products, and aligning cross-functional teams around strategy and execution. I thrive at the intersection of creative vision and practical development, collaborating with merchants, vendors, and factories globally to ensure products are both aesthetically compelling and well-made.


As a calm and thoughtful leader, I value collaboration and mentoring, and I am passionate about delivering elevated, functional products that enhance everyday experiences and create memorable moments for customers.

Career Highlights

Recruited by Nordstrom to serve as first full-time designer for Nordstrom At Home, a private label brand for soft and hard goods. Expanded bedding and bath business from core textiles to seasonal fashion, holiday, sale events and brand partnerships. Grew team to three full-time designers working across two business channels and six brands. Responsible for trend and color direction, product design and print art direction.


First dedicated design leader for Blissliving Home, responsible for overhaul of bedding and home decor design strategy. Expanded business over five years from inception to home lifestyle brand spanning wholesale and retail sales. Singularly responsible for trend and color forecasting, product design, sampling and quality assurance, creative direction for photo shoots, and redesigning brand identity across print and web collateral.


First full-time designer for Rosanna Inc., a globally-renowned fashion tableware company.

Expanded business rapidly, growing team from one to five designers in first year. Reimagined brand identity, increased gift-ability through innovation in packaging design, and led all aspects of design and product strategy from initial sketches to in-store merchandising.




Work History

Independent Art Director & 

Snr. Designer

Jan 2023 – present


Family Sabbatical

Nov 2021 – Jan 2023

Seattle, WA


Nordstrom

Snr. Designer, Home

Mar 2014 – Nov 2021

Seattle, WA


Nordstrom

Designer, Home

Feb 2011 – Mar 2014

Seattle, WA


Blissliving Home

Design Manager

Sep 2006 – Jan 2011

Rockville, MD


Rosanna, Inc.

Art Director & Designer

Aug 2002 – Aug 2006

Seattle, WA


Education

  • University of Washington
  • Bachelor of Arts,
  • Interdisciplinary 
  • Visual Arts
  • 1997 – 2001


Rhode Island

School of Design

Summer Studies,

Graphic Design

2000


Computer Skills

  • Digital Sketching
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Flex PLM

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