About Me

Hi, I’m Tawny Shu — a textile-focused product designer based in California.

I specialize in soft goods, knitwear, and material-driven design, with a strong interest in how textiles shape form, function, and user experience. My work bridges craft and production, combining hands-on fiber exploration with structured product development processes.

Through my internship with Jazwares on the Squishmallows team, I supported the development of textile-based products, reviewing samples and collaborating across design and branding teams to maintain quality and construction integrity. Alongside this, I lead an independent fiber-based design practice where I experiment with yarn, stitch structures, and material behavior to create functional, thoughtfully constructed pieces.

I am naturally curious and driven, with a strong attention to detail and a commitment to continuous learning. I am always exploring new techniques, tools, and construction methods to expand my understanding of materials and improve the way products are built. I am particularly energized by the process of refining details — from stitch structure to finish quality — to ensure each design feels intentional, purposeful, and well-resolved.

I’m passionate about soft goods innovation, knit construction, and translating tactile materials into scalable, thoughtfully engineered products.

Additional Info

  • I am able to work in Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, ProCreate, Rhino, Figma, Fusion 360, Creo, and SolidWorks. I have experience with knitwear, tech packs, line sheets, technical flats, garment construction, softgoods, color/trends, and material exploration. I have taken a CTE course for graphic design, and a Graphic Design Specialization class at CalArts. I also have experience working in the wood shop, metal shop, wet shop, laser lab, and CNC machining. I have experience throwing clay on the wheel, hand-building pieces, and glazing. I am very passionate about fiber arts and spend a lot of my time crocheting or knitting.

  • You can find all of my crochet creations and sales on my crochet Instagram: @wontawncreations where I post finished pieces and works in progress. I also have a TikTok account @wontawncreations and a YouTube @wontawncreations where I post lifestyle content and connect with my audience. I enjoy creating custom pieces for people because the collaborative experience is exciting for me and I love having the power to bring those ideas to life. I am currently starting up my new Shopify online store to start selling my items in a more professional space.

  • Design to me is about so much more than just aesthetics. It is about functionality and it is about thoughtfulness. I believe that if we design with more thoughtfulness we can make our world a much better place. By thinking about where materials are sourced from, and how they interact with the Earth we can help prevent drastic climate crises and make meaningful chang

  • I aim to create thoughtful, functional, and visually compelling products that blend creativity with purpose. My work is driven by curiosity, empowerment, and social impact: from reclaiming fiber arts for a modern, diverse audience with projects like the Knova bag, to designing playful and meaningful products for leading companies in the toy and lifestyle industries. I am committed to continuous growth, learning, and experimentation, pushing the boundaries of design while delivering products that are both beautiful and functional.