SUMMARY

I am a highly driven and dedicated creative with 20+ years experience pioneering visually compelling design strategies for major beauty, cosmetic, and entertainment brands. As a leader, I expertly direct the big-picture vision throughout each stage of the creative process to achieve record brand awareness, outreach, and increase sales. I am passionate about mentoring top talent, empowering collaboration and developing relationships to fuel compelling design solutions.

WORK

JOHN PAUL MITCHELL SYSTEMS:SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, LOS ANGELES, CA, 2013 – CURRENT

·  Spearhead creative art direction and guide original, engaging design strategies across web, print, social, and retail for top-selling hair color brands at leading hair care manufacturer, John Paul Mitchell Systems

·  Mentor and art direct team of designers and junior art directors, working directly with brand managers, copywriters, and designers to solve design challenges and marketing initiatives and produce refined, cohesive materials across all platforms   

·  Develop and launch new hair color lines, driving the creation and execution of on-trend packaging, images, and graphics that attract younger consumers while staying true to Paul Mitchell brand 

·  Manage budgets up to $400K, negotiating unprecedented cost-savings up to 20% without sacrificing quality through expert vendor negotiations

·  Track projects through each stage of execution, fulfilling targeted objectives and strict timelines   

·  Integrate Paul Mitchell environmental initiatives and values into key campaigns, recently partnering
with ReforestAction to develop eco-friendly packaging and materials for 2017 holiday cross-promotion 

STANDOUT CAMPAIGNS

·   POP XG –Shaped innovative brand story from concept to completion, overseeing photo shoot, logo creation, packaging, collateral, and launch of bright, vibrant hair color line 

·   THE DEMI –Collaborated closely with brand manager and marketing to apply research-driven strategy for launching new demi-permanent hair color line with modern aesthetic, transforming entire brand category 

SYNAPSE DESIGN GROUP: CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PRINCIPAL, LOS ANGELES, CA, 2003 – 2013   

·  Defined and directed brand-aligned graphic design strategies and creative direction at boutique agency serving luxury beauty and entertainment industry clients including JAFRA Cosmetics International, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, and Endgame Entertainment 

JAFRA COSMETICS INTERNATIONAL:

·  Launched multiple international makeup, fragrance, and skin care campaigns annually for eight years, creating distinct visual brands for each that significantly grew Latin American market, helped enable expansion into Russia and Indonesia, and increased revenue YOY even during recession 

·  Sourced and hired designers, asset managers, and engineers, growing team from zero to six in two months, and establishing collaborative work atmosphere to meet project timelines and goals 

·  Produced polished, consistent lookbooks, brochures, videos, photo shoots, and digital assets 

·  Ideated and executed complete brand re-fresh with art directors, senior management, and project managers, updating visual materials, website, and brand story to attract younger, modern demographic 

·  Negotiated with vendors including photographers, printers, retouchers, videographers, copywriters, makeup artists to adhere to budgets, achieving up to 35% in cost-savings  

SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT:

·  Conceptualized and designed unique, engaging DVD packaging, ads, and posters for hit blockbuster movie releases, driving revenue and visibility within retail stores and retaining business for six years   

·  Managed budgets up to $25K and leveraged network of freelance designers, art directors, illustrators, copywriters, and retouchers to deliver engaging designs with fast turnarounds 

FREELANCE:ART DIRECTOR, LOS ANGELES, CA, 2001 – 2003 

·  Determined brand identity and designed relevant ad campaigns, website design, packaging, movie posters and corporate collateral for clients including Cold Open, Los Angeles Skin Care, HDG Consulting, Sundari Skin Care, and Beverly Hills Cosmetics and Surgery Center 

BIRD DESIGN:ART DIRECTOR, LOS ANGELES, CA, 1997 – 1999  

Art directed and project-managed creative web design, packaging, movie posters and collateral at branding and advertisement agency serving top-tier beauty and entertainment clients 

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts-GRAPHIC DESIGN, California State University-Fullerton, Fullerton, CA

EXPERTISE

Brand Development, Campaign Strategies, Creative Art Direction, Graphic Design, Team Management, Project Management, Photo Art Direction, Photo Shoot Production, Vendor Management

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Adobe Creative Cloud: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, Microsoft Office: Word, PowerPoint, Outlook