Mary Klie

I am a writer, trend and insight specialist with a very nontraditional, unsheltered career path that fuels my quest for knowledge and insightful stories. Through empathy, collaboration, research and humor I stay brightly curious while helping brands to do the same.

Portfolio

ABOUT

Chute Gerdeman
03/22/2016
VMSD Magazine Selects Mary Klie for 2016 Designer Dozen - Chute Gerdeman

We are proud to announce that Chute Gerdeman's own Mary Klie has been chosen by to be part of the magazine's fifth annual Designer Dozen awards. This listing celebrates the best and brightest young designers in retail design. Each member of this group has the talent, drive and innovation that will be necessary to move this industry forward.

Trend Reports

Brand Narratives

Client Facing
11/02/2015
Restaurant

Brand Narrative Example

Client Facing
03/01/2016
Toy Store

Concept Narrative

Client Facing
11/02/2015
Salon

Concept Narrative

Client Facing
11/02/2015
Salon2

Concept Narrative

Client Facing
02/01/2016
Restaurant

Brand Narrative Example

Trade Magazine Articles

Chute Gerdeman Blog Posts

Chute Gerdeman
10/25/2016
Culture and the Connection to Consumer Experiences - Chute Gerdeman

Target brought to life #SinTraduccion by using untranslatable Hispanic words to describe everyday experiences that demonstrate consumers' bicultural lives. For example, Sobremeso, which refers to the period of time right after dinner in which family and friends linger at the dinner table to catch up.

Chute Gerdeman
10/19/2015
Values Motivating Today's Mom

The September 2015 Issue of Vogue not only had a Mom on the cover (Beyonce), but included a feature on another Mom, Cindy Crawford as well as several campaigns related to family. This is not to say that celebrity families are taking over the world, it is to point out that the subject of family is getting a lot of attention.

Chute Gerdeman
03/30/2016
GlobalShop 2016: Meeting of (Consumer) Minds - Chute Gerdeman

Post By: Mary Is there Life on Mars by David Bowie should have been the theme song for GlobalShop 2016. The song questions reality by juxtaposing pop/consumerist culture against the need for exciting change and it quickly became apparent as I sat in seminars and walked the tradeshow floor that brands are looking for disruptive change amidst a consumer driven market.

Chute Gerdeman
12/05/2013
Masculinity Now - Chute Gerdeman

A note from the editors: "Inspiration boards" give a glimpse at the inner landscape of a creative person's brain. Boards can convey a concept, a design direction, ideas for a kitchen remodel, or in our case, a personal narrative. Every so often, we feature one of the creative spirits at Chute Gerdeman.

Character Development

Brand Exercises