ART DIRECTOR
Artistic Talent • Graphic Design Expertise
Visual Communications • Web Development

Graphic Designer with 9+ years of extensive experience in art direction/design and creative team management. Enjoy the rare balance of creative and artistic sensibilities combined with strong business acumen and executive-level capabilities. Highly skilled in client and vendor relations and negotiations, with a track record for building and maintaining “win-win” partnerships. Passionate and inventive creator of innovative marketing strategies and campaigns. Accustomed to performing in deadline-driven environments with an emphasis on working within budgetary constraints. Demonstrate the abilities to design and produce dynamic presentations that persuasively support business goals and objectives. A solid background in operations and considerable entrepreneurial talents. Technical proficiency with Photoshop, Illustrator, ImageReady, InDesign, QuarkXpress, After Effects, Premiere and Freehand.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Art Director, Orange Couch Design House, Vista, CA                                         2001 to 2007

• Coordinated all aspects of production including photo shoots, design, layout and pre-press. Supervised and directed the production team.
• Designed various publications; Good News Etc. newspaper, RBV High School Football Program, Bonsall and Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce Directories.
• Created and managed the business identities and advertising campaigns for more than 800 clients.
• Managed creative development, ensuring creative staff awareness of their contribution to new business projects.
• Formally recognized by the Vista Chamber of Commerce for designing and printing tickets and assisting with their annual Business Expo.
• Production team received award and acknowledgment from the Village News, a local newspaper.
• Directed multiple quarterly increases, breaking several quarters’ production quotas without incurring any staff overtime.
• Established and coordinated project milestones and deadlines. Expertly delegated tasks according to staff abilities to drive the quickest turnaround possible.
• Adept at brainstorming innovative ideas for winning marketing campaigns.
• Designed logo, brochure, and program for a non-profit conference, the Winds of Harvest.

Graphic Design Instructor, Coleman College, San Marcos, CA                         2005 to 2007

• Served as a part-time instructor for certificate, associate, and bachelor degree course levels. Taught numerous courses from Introduction to Graphic Design to Advanced Typography.
• Provided guidance and assistance to students, offering constructive criticism to help further their skills.
• Received a Coleman College certificate for outside training of graduated students.
• Wrote the curriculum for CGD280 Prepress, a class introducing printing techniques.

Senior Designer, Valley Roadrunner Newspaper, Valley Center, CA                2000 to 2001

• Supervised the design team and directed production activities including ad design, layout, pre-press and paste-up.
• Created and managed the business identities and advertising campaigns for a diverse group of customers. Tracked and reported individual campaign performance; evaluated and applied insights to future marketing efforts.
• Built strong client relationships via brainstorming sessions, status calls, and project presentations.
• Designed various publications, including Valley Center Business Directory and Hometown Guide, the Valley Roadrunner, and Meadowlark, as well as four quarterly tabloids.

Promotions Editor / Graphic Artist, WJCL / WTCG, Savannah, GA                1999 to 2000

• Created news and promotional contest logos for print and animation. Designed short animations and graphics for news and sweeps programming. Wrote, recorded, edited, exported and imported promotional commercials.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Computer Art / Graphic Design, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA, 2000
• Professional Development Course, Coleman College, San Marcos, CA, 2006
• Adobe Advanced Training, Vista Adult School, Vista, CA, 2002