ART DIRECTOR
Graphic Design + Visual Communications Expertise
Graphic Design + Visual Communications Expertise
Experienced Art Director and Graphic Designer with expertise in leading creative teams and delivering high-impact branding and marketing campaigns. Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat, and Microsoft Office, with additional experience in AfterEffects, Workamajig, Figma and Slack. Proven success in client relations, vendor negotiations, and executing projects within budget and deadlines. Recognized for creating compelling visuals that drive business results across diverse industries.
AReas of expertise
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Marketing strategy + communications
• Project management
• Client, vendor, stakeholder + license management relations
• Packaging design
• Photo shoot planning + directing
• Advertising + promotions
• Creative problem solving
• Brand development
• Knowledge of AI solutions + generative design
• Teaching experience
• Marketing strategy + communications
• Project management
• Client, vendor, stakeholder + license management relations
• Packaging design
• Photo shoot planning + directing
• Advertising + promotions
• Creative problem solving
• Brand development
• Knowledge of AI solutions + generative design
• Teaching experience
EDUCATION + TRAINING
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Computer Art / Graphic Design
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
Professional Experience
Art Director . Re-Marks, Inc., Seattle, WA . 2013 to Present (remote)
• Spearheaded comprehensive market research initiatives, enabling the anticipation and integration of consumer trends, thereby securing Re-Marks’ position as a top-selling brand at Barnes & Noble.
• Spearheaded comprehensive market research initiatives, enabling the anticipation and integration of consumer trends, thereby securing Re-Marks’ position as a top-selling brand at Barnes & Noble.
• Conceptualized and expanded product lines, introducing innovative designs that adhered to stringent brand and styling guidelines, while overseeing the specification of new product packaging to optimize production costs.
• Directed the end-to-end creative process, including content generation, image sourcing, portfolio curation, and the selection and management of photographers and illustrators, ensuring alignment with brand aesthetics and budgetary parameters.
• Negotiated and formalized contracts with prominent illustrators and photographers, enriching Re-Marks’ product offerings with a distinguished library of top-selling puzzles.
• Supervised the entire print production process, from design finalization to press checks, ensuring flawless execution and timely distribution to retail channels.
• Orchestrated the art department’s workflow, maintaining meticulous schedules and leading regular strategic meetings to ensure alignment with critical project milestones.
• Engineered high-fidelity mock-ups and dynamic PowerPoint presentations, equipping the sales team with compelling visual assets for buyer engagements and strategic pitches.
• Redesigned puzzle packaging to function as side-facing products, maximizing shelf space at Walmart and Barnes & Noble, allowing Re-Marks to display more products on shelves.
• Designed, developed, and maintained Amazon e-commerce store, playing an integral role in growing revenue from $10,000 per month to a million-dollar annual income source.
• Assisted Re-Marks in transitioning from a B2B wholesale model to include a B2C channel by creating the e-commerce site, remarks.net.
Art Director . Lovesac Alternative Furniture, Stamford, CT . 2007 to 2013 (hybrid)
• Orchestrated the creative production process for seasonal marketing campaigns, overseeing concept development, product photography, design, layout, and pre-press procedures.
• Orchestrated the creative production process for seasonal marketing campaigns, overseeing concept development, product photography, design, layout, and pre-press procedures.
• Collaborated with esteemed photographers Roger Hagadone and Greg Powers, directing high-profile photo shoots that elevated the brand’s visual identity.
• Partnered with the product development team to innovate new product lines and packaging designs, enhancing the customer experience and driving sales.
• Designed and implemented interior layouts and merchandising strategies for over 50 Lovesac retail stores across the U.S. and internationally, optimizing brand presentation.
• Authored the comprehensive Lovesac Brand Bible, establishing critical brand guidelines and standards that ensured cohesive and consistent brand messaging across all platforms.
• Strategically managed a $250,000 annual marketing budget, achieving significant cost reductions through astute vendor negotiations and the in-house production of marketing materials.
• Established an in-house photography studio, streamlining product photography for online sales and reducing dependency on external resources, resulting in substantial cost savings.
Art Director . Orange Couch Design, Vista, CA . 2001 to 2007 (on-site)
• Directed the full spectrum of production activities, including photo shoot coordination, design, layout, and pre-press operations, while leading and mentoring the production team.
• Directed the full spectrum of production activities, including photo shoot coordination, design, layout, and pre-press operations, while leading and mentoring the production team.
• Designed and produced a variety of publications, including local newspapers, high school sports programs, and chamber of commerce directories, contributing to the visibility and success of community-driven initiatives.
• Managed the development of brand identities and advertising campaigns for over 800 clients, ensuring the delivery of creative solutions that resonated with target audiences and drove business growth.
• Led a creative team recognized for excellence by the Village News, achieving quarterly production targets while maintaining high standards of quality without incurring staff overtime.
• Implemented efficient project management strategies, establishing clear milestones and deadlines, and delegating tasks based on team members’ strengths to optimize productivity and turnaround times.
• Consistently generated innovative ideas that enhanced marketing campaigns, driving increased engagement and brand awareness.
Adjunct Graphic Instructor . Coleman University, San Marcos, CA . 2005 to 2007 (on-site)
• Delivered comprehensive instruction across certificate, associate, and bachelor-level graphic design courses, including Introduction to Graphic Design and Advanced Typography, fostering the development of students’ technical and creative skills.
• Delivered comprehensive instruction across certificate, associate, and bachelor-level graphic design courses, including Introduction to Graphic Design and Advanced Typography, fostering the development of students’ technical and creative skills.
• Provided tailored mentorship and constructive feedback to students, enabling them to refine their design capabilities and achieve academic success.
• Authored the curriculum for CGD280 Prepress, introducing students to advanced printing techniques, and contributed to the expansion of the Graphics Program by developing additional coursework.
• Recognized with Employee of the Month awards (July and October 2007) for exemplary contributions to student success and curriculum development.