I am a creative professional with fifteen years of experience in a broad range of industries. From corporate communications to retail promotions, I am well versed in brand identity and marketing. With both in-house and agency experience in art direction, design and production, I've become an expert in innovation, planning and collaboration. I'm passionate and goal oriented with a drive to grow both creatively and professionally.
TECHNICAL SKILLS: Acrobat Illustrator InDesign Photoshop Dreamweaver Flash Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Microsoft PowerPoint WordPress HTML/JavaScript Mac & Windows platforms Photography Press check Strong understanding of production PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Manager, Graphics Design & Brand Standards | June 2015 - present DecoArt, Inc. | Lexington, KY - Responsible for leading and supervising the internal graphic design team to drive strategic initiatives and oversee day-to-day operations including work flow, backup processes, equipment enhancements and staff development. - Provide direction and approval on the creative development of all marketing & sales materials including packaging, advertising, print collateral, website, displays and trade show signage. - Ensure proper and consistent implementation of the DecoArt brand and all sub brands contained within throughout all touch points - Maintain relationships with outside vendors to ensure competitive pricing, accurate file preparation and translation of documents. - Oversee all photo shoots to ensure high quality representations of all products and painted projects Art Director | March 2011 – May 2015 LM Restaurants | Raleigh, NC - Accountable for protecting the integrity of the LM Restaurants brand across all touchpoints, including the eight restaurant concepts and three lines of packaged food products contained within - Managed design concepts from inception to production for print, web and television - Supervised in-house design team and managed external creative agency relationships - Oversaw the development of all promotional materials including menus, packaging, point-of-sales, brochures, fliers and print, online & outdoor advertising - Wrote and reviewed marketing creative briefs, timelines and workflow - Production management including sourcing, price negotiation, tracking and vendor relationship building Associate Creative Director | Jan. 2009 - March 2011 e design | Raleigh, NC - Created and executed brand identity and design for marketing collateral, advertising campaigns, newsletters and communication materials for agency clientele - Worked directly with clients to establish project parameters, determine timelines and set milestones - Developed web site maps, designed layouts and provided programming and navigational direction - Created publication specific ads and coordinated regular traffic schedules for release Packaging Communications Associate | Feb. 2007 - Oct. 2008 Nestlé | Glendale, CA - Hired and directed creative agencies for the development and production of all Nestlé PowerBar packaging, displays and point-of-sales communication pieces - Worked with the sales force and retail vendors to develop in-store promotional campaigns - Launched an updated packaging line for the global product portfolio designed to be more cohesive and relevant to target consumers - Provided art direction and creative support to the marketing, sales, events and web teams - Developed presentations for sales and marketing summits - Managed two distinct budgets for packaging and promotions - As a member of the Nestlé Design Council, helped to evaluate and determine Nestlé preferred vendors Creative Services Manager | Mar. 2005 - Feb. 2007 Transamerica | Los Angeles, CA - Supervised the creative services division of the retirement services marketing department, growing it from a two person design team to five full-time employees and one full-time contractor - Provided art direction to the creative team for the development of marketing communications targeting three separate audiences - Established design and messaging standards as part of the Brand Management Committee for the creation of a new corporate identity - Re-vamped the sales proposal to a more streamlined piece consistent with the updated brand messaging - Oversaw the development of multiple company newsletters in both printed and digital video formats - Implemented a new production process utilized by the marketing department for routing and approval - Approved vendor selection and pricing costs InfoDesigner | Jun. 2004 - Feb. 2005 TrialGraphix | Los Angeles, CA - Managed a team of up to three designers, met with and advised clients, and ensured overall style and consistency of projects - Created graphic aids for courtroom presentations in both electronic and print formats - Assisted the workflow coordinator, organized job schedules, updated the workflow database and posted and maintained proofs on company website for client review - Worked on-site as a design consultant serving as a local point-of-contact and support to clients - Plotted and output to large format printers and oversaw production of multi-faceted boards Graphic Designer | May 2002 - Jun. 2004 Transamerica | Los Angeles, CA - Served as part of a two person design team responsible for all marketing collateral - Worked directly with all levels of management, writers, web team and vendors - Managed all production aspects of projects, including pricing, prepress file prep, and press checking - Designed style and layout for multiple monthly and quarterly newsletters Graphic Designer | Jan. 2001 - Sep. 2001 Carson Enterprises | Fairfield, OH - Created customizable templates for novelty candy bar wrappers - Laid out and designed brochures, postcards, order forms and other printed materials - Designed packaging and branding for multiple product lines - Produced numerous original illustrations for various product and promotional lines EDUCATION: University of Cincinnati: College of Design, Art, Architecture, & Planning (DAAP) BA: Fine Arts | June 1999 EXHIBITIONS: March 2001 | Blue Friday | DV8 Night Club January 2001 | New Year's Raw | Raw Art Gallery December 2000 | The Elements | DV8 Night Club April 2000 | Flux | DV8 Night Club November 1999 | Camargo Annual Auction | Kenwood-Manchester Hall June 1999 | DAAPWorks | Cincinnati Convention Center February 1999 | The Invasion of Oz | The 840 Gallery