CREATIVE DIRECTOR/
SENIOR DESIGNER/
WRITER

Award winning creative director/senior designer with a graduate degree from Pratt Institute. Industry experience ranges from major imprints to global fashion brands, advertising agencies, as well as non-profit organizations. Over 20 years’ successfully delivering high caliber projects which activate emotion and intellect to transform creativity into unbound commercial and cultural campaigns.

Career Highlights:
• Successful branding and redesign of website / online archive
• CLIO Award – Silver Winner for editorial advertisement
• NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship – Finalist Award Winner
• Fulbright Program Semi-Finalist (Pratt Institute)

EXPERIENCE

Rutgers University, Newark, NJ Sept 2024 – Present
Visiting Professor

Seasoned instructor teaching a senior-level Portfolio Development course in the undergraduate Graphic Design program. Possessing extensive experience in both the Graphic Design industry and in teaching at the college level. Owning a deep understanding of portfolio creation and the ability to guide students in curating and presenting their best work including mentoring aspiring designers and a proven track record in education.

JustMedia, New York, NY     May 2021 – Jan 2024
Creative Director

Head of the Creative Department for a non-profit, overseeing the creative process from concept to completion. 
Managing two interns, redesign/management of website, production budget, revising digital presentations, outreach/promo materials, video assets, proposals, planning company advertisements, monitoring brand campaigns, social media assets, and shaping brand standards to match the requests of the Executive Director

• Responsible for 100% of logo design / letterhead / curriculum booklets / educational toolkits / board presentations / powerpoint presentations
• Achieved redesign of website / mobile and search engine experience / branding and identity / content plus archival management
• Accomplished the addition of over 1000 films to the website archive adding positive database growth
• Worked closely with multidisciplinary project teams, i.e. curriculum writers, IT/web developer, external client communication
• Lead the creative team in the production of all marketing assets: indoor/outdoor/virtual
• Implemented research skills to contract a digital marketing company / artistic direction of the social media agency
• Spearheaded management of onboarding materials, print/digital quality control, team building, and mentoring

Blue Apron, New York, NY     May 2020 – July 2021
Senior Production Artist

Collaborated with the Senior Manager, alongside the Editorial Culinary Team and Photo Studio to create, traffic, update, pre-flight, upload materials to the website, and recipe cards on a National scale.

Ownership of page layout, flagging and managing any new assets as needed, then uploading final files to printers
• Effectively supervised the onboarding of lead production artist
• Managed art revisions, minor retouching, and text corrections
• Diligently improved from 40% to 100% management of menu layout, print files, and website updates
• Consistently created mechanicals for print production and digital marketing

Write It Up, New York, NY     Sept 2018 – Current
Creative Director / Senior Graphic Designer (freelance)

Creating engaging designs for a wide range of assets including but not limited to print ads, web banners, logos, icons, infographics, presentations, packaging, promotional materials, eBooks, marketing collateral, brochures, and event booths
• Successfully developing compelling presentations in both PowerPoint and Google Slides and working with stakeholders to ensure key message are presented effectively
• Effectively working with members of the marketing team and other internal stakeholders during planning phases to understand design requirements and strategic vision
• Coordinating and partnering with external agency and freelance partners, providing creative direction and ensuring alignment with brand guidelines

Rolling Stone Magazine,  New York, NY     Nov 2015 – Nov 2017
Senior Graphic Designer (freelance)

CLIO Silver Winner 2016 – Dos Equis, Most Interesting Man, Final Interview (Adios Amigo)

Created promotional ad materials for the marketing department
• Successfully designed cover ad and editorial layout for LEVI’S Iconic Denim
• Effectively created Faux cover and editorial layout for Dos Equis
• Developed editorial ads – Gillette, M&Ms, RAM Trucks, Transitions Lenses and Various Festivals
• Improved design materials for the Super Bowl events, PowerPoint presentations and digital marketing

Urban Word NYC, New York, NY     Aug 2012 – Jul 2018
Resident Art Director/Designer (freelance)

Designed all brand and event promotional materials
• Created logos, book covers, booklets, flyers and web materials for National Youth Poet Laureate
• Designed promo materials for the Annual NYC Youth Poetry Slam at the Apollo Theater
• ARTITUTE Workshop: Educated teens with Graphic Design tools to create posters based on social activism.

J. Walter Thompson (JWT), New York, NY     Jul 2008 – Aug 2015
Art Director

Clients include: Estée Lauder Companies (Aramis, Tommy Hilfiger, Aerin Lauder, Tory Burch, Donna Karan, Coach, and more) 

Managed a team of branding and mechanical artist, collaborated with Creative Directors, Brand Managers and Video Producers to create video shorts, gift endings for international marketing, digital platforms and in-store promotions.
• Supervised the development and design of print advertisement including brand collateral, high-level photo retouching and color correcting
• Directly created storyboards, brochures, book covers, mall banners, interior art, flyers, direct mails, sales sheets
• Maintained brand identity (logos and letterheads), and packaging
• Oversaw edits on t.v. commercials in multiple languages (copy, images, art, stock photography, voice over talent and visual effects)
• Managed typography, color, illustrations, photography, and other imaging
• Designed event-specific logos and sales promotional pieces

Laird and Partners, New York, NY     Mar 2005 – Jun 2008
Production Designer

Clients include: GAP, Nautica, Juicy Couture, Vera Wang, Bottega Veneta, DKNY and Schweppes

Collaborated with Art Directors and Copy Writers in creating ad mechanicals for magazines, billboards, production proofs, comps and mock-ups for new business presentations.

• Supervised production team work flow and finalizing files
• Generated ad layouts and paste-up
• Photo retouching and color correcting
• Dispatched ads into system for production
• Coordinated the typesetting, photography, artwork and printing
• Prepared files for release to printers and various international trade publications

Marc Eckó Enterprises (Eckó Unlimited), New York, NY     Nov 2002 – Mar 2005
Senior Production Artist

Print Production Manager of all promotional materials, supervised a production team, demonstrated a keen ability to successfully meet tight deadlines, manage work flow to finalize files in accordance with numerous high-profile magazines and various international vendors.

• Dispatched ads into data systems for production
• Coordinated the typesetting, photography, graffiti art, and illustration
• Prepared files for release to printers and various international trade publications
• Successfully oversaw proofs (checking print films for matching colors)
• Produced printouts, comps and mock-ups for presentations
• Communicated with clients and numerous sales departments

EDUCATION

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
M.F.A. in Writing – May 2018
Digital Design Certificate 
Thesis Topic: Design of Poetic Activism

Connecticut Institute of Art, Greenwich, CT
Major in Commercial and Fine Arts
Graduate Diploma

SKILLS

• Corporate / Brand Identity
• Creative Direction / Art Direction
• Sr. Design Communications
• Print Production Management
• Logo Design
• Book Cover & Internal Design
• Advertisement Layout
• Illustration
• Creative Writing/Poetry
• Web/Mobile Design
• Digital Marketing/Publishing
• Concept Development
• Dept. / Project Management
• Verbal/Written Communication
• Team Building +

ACCOLADES