SUMMARY
Creative Visual Designer / Commercial Designer / UI Design
- Has 20+ years of experience in Commercial Design on both the agency and client side
- Assists SMBs and entrepreneurs in driving their “market success” through compelling digital mediums
- Specialized in art direction, graphic design, and digital media
- Oversees all aspects of creative vision and design
CORE AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Adobe Creative Suite • Advertising • Art Direction • Artistic Conceptualization • Brand Development • Branding & Identity • Brochure Design • Corporate Identity • Creative Direction • Figma • Graphic Design • Illustration • Image Manipulation • Interactive Web Design • Logo Design • Packaging Design • Photography • Photoshop Retouching • Typography • UI Design
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Art Director / Visual Designer, Los Angeles, California & Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 2009-present
Specializes in creating visual material that companies need to achieve their marketing objectives
Commercial Design Services: Banner Ads, Banner Design, Brochure Design, Digital Photography, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Magazine Design, Mock-ups, Newsletter Design, Packaging Design, Page Layout, Print Design, Visual Graphics, Website Front-End Design, Website Design & Development, Website Graphics
Produce commercial work, incl. website design and development, branding and identity, package design, and print design
Develop UI mockups and prototypes that clearly illustrate site functionality
Oversee all aspects of creative vision and design
Art direct photo shoots
Manage a team of creative and technology professionals
Produce commercial work, incl. merchandising brand development, mobile application design and development, package design, print design, and website design and development
Develop brochures, catalogs, collateral, corporate identity packages, direct mail, environmental design/banners, floral selection guides, logotype design, packaging design, promotional materials, trade show displays, and website front-end design
Create professional imagery needed to take businesses to the next level
Provide complete design services suitable for any communications challenge
Major Projects:
- Packaging Design: Food packaging designs have been featured in gourmet stores nationwide and in central retail locations, such as Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, and Walmart.
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Senior Art Director, Cortex USA, 2021-2022
Oversaw the Director of Product Development and the broader design team to align with, and contribute to, the visual design system and brand guidelines
Worked collectively with the CEO, Production Manager, and Managing Director to set and meet realistic deadlines for all projects
Conceptualized, designed, edited, and prepared packaging files before sending them to overseas factories
Coordinated and delegated art-related tasks with local and globally based art directors, graphic designers, copywriters, photographers, digital designers, and 3D modelers and animators
Requested, reviewed, and provided feedback and final approval for tools and design proofs before mass production
Researched trends, brainstormed, and created renders for all product packaging, eCommerce deliverables, and buyer presentations
Designed all packaging for over 15 product lines/brands based on specifications from The TJX Companies, Inc., Macy’s, Burlington, and Nordstrom Rack
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Senior Art Director, QuickFlora, 2016-2021
Responsible for maintaining the look and feel of creative for the QuickFlora brand across all mediums, channels, and divisions; including catalog, direct mail, web, email, social media, internet marketing, signage, exterior graphics, and internal communications
Responsible for the execution and on-time delivery of high-quality creative materials
Strong focus on establishing and adhering to timelines, tracking budgets, and strategic resource planning and implementation
Expertly led internal and remote teams of designers and programmers to execute cross-channel and digital materials
Worked with the Director of Photography on photo direction, styling, and lighting to achieve desired results
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Senior Graphic Designer, Paramount Pictures Corp. / Melanie Paykos Design / The Roll Group, 1995-2004
Held several contractual roles, to incl. working for Paramount Pictures Corp. (1995-1997), Melanie Paykos Design (1997-1998), and The Roll Group (2003-2004)
Conceptualized/designed/produced brochures, corporate identity packages, invitations, licensing sales kits, logos, point-of-sale displays, promotional materials, sales kits, and style guides
Coordinated projects with outside vendors and design agencies in the television, film, and motion picture industries
Highlights: Catered to reputable brand clients, such as Aerobleu, CBS, Discovery Channel, Mattel, MGM, NBC, Paramount TV, POM Wonderful, Scholastic, Sunkist, Turner Classic Movies, VH1, Warner Bros., and Wonderful Pistachios. Worked onsite and remotely on 40+ major Art Direction and Graphic Design projects and worked on ~50 creative branding and entertainment lifestyle projects.
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EDUCATION
Bachelors of Fine Arts, 1992
Tyler School of Art - Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
PUBLICATIONS
The Pink Panther Style Guide, PRINT Magazine, 04/1998 -- Designer/Creative Director: Linda Frost, Melanie Paykos (of Melanie Paykos Design) -- Project commissioned by MGM as a style guide for their licensees to maintain brand consistency across all user platforms.
“Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals,” by Karen Dawn, Harper Collins
Studio Visit Magazine, Premier Edition, The Open Studios Press
OTHER
Microsoft Office Suite (15+ yrs)
Adobe: Adobe Illustrator (20+ yrs), Photoshop (20+ yrs), InDesign (10+ yrs), Adobe Creative Suite 5 (15+ yrs)
Interests: Passionate about animal welfare/rights, veganism, environmental issues, running, cycling, swimming, yoga, and pilates
Community & Non-profit Activities: Animal Aid Volunteer for SSNAAPE (an agency facilitating the adoption of senior and special needs pets), The Animal Foundation, Las Vegas, Nevada (2006), Toastmasters International (2007-2009), and Volunteer in the surgical center of the Humane Society of Broward County (2018).