Manager Design

CRAIG A. SWOBODA ********@***********.*** 314-***-****

coro ot.com/cswoboda

SUMMARY

Award-winning Design Manager/Senior Art Director with 15+ years of experience in delivering

packaging, corporate identity, print collateral & P.O.P. for CPG companies. Exceptional experience in

conceptual projects with a high attention to detail, while providing direction and leadership to peers.

Highly effective in cross-functional partnering, managing budgets and outside vendors.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SPECTRUM BRANDS (United Industries) St. Louis, MO 2007 – 2011 DESIGN MANAGER

Cutter, Garden Safe, Hot Shot, Repel, Schultz, Spectracide

Created and managed creative assets for the entire Home & Garden division as it relates to

package design, brand/corporate identity, and print/digital marketing strategies.

• Restructured creative team, after reorganization of Spectrum Brands, to better support the marketing

team and to gain scal and productivity ef ciencies while keeping all creative in-house.

• Analyzed and achieved cost savings in Spectrum Brands prepress process by implementing thorough

internal prepress checklist and digital 1st proofs; saving the company an average of $20,000 annually.

• Analyzed and achieved cost saving in Spectrum Brands mockup process for sales line reviews and

plan-o-gram requests. With the addition of a diecut plotter and a more organized work ow, the

department saved over $12,000 annually by eliminating the need for temporary employees. As a

result, the department achieved better prints and production ef ciencies.

• Trained and consulted team members (three art directors & one graphic designer) to maintain quality

standards and achieve departmental goals.

• Met and reviewed brand strategy concepts with upper management team to approve projects.

• Coordinated, created and completed several large scale design projects at the same time.

SAVE-A-LOT Earth City, MO 2007 MANAGER OF BRAND DESIGN

Managed and developed the creative assets for package design, brand/corporate identity and

print/digital advertising for overall marketing strategies.

• Analyzed entire Save-A-Lot portfolio of 178 brand names and reduced the total count to 72, while outlining

a plan to redesign the entire portfolio utilizing in-house creative and outside resources. This project saved

the organization over $100,000 in trademark fees as well as adding clarity to every category.

• Restructured creative team (Advertising & Packaging) to better support the organization and to gain

scal and productivity ef ciencies while meeting departmental goals.

• Implemented third party digital prepress proofing system to gain fiscal and productivity efficiencies.

• Met and reviewed brand strategy concepts with management team to approve projects.

• Coordinated, created and completed several large scale design projects at the same time.

• Trained and consulted team members (four graphic designers & three production artists) to maintain

quality standards and achieve departmental goals as it related to corporate/brand identity, current

trends, color theory and image manipulation.

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CRAIG A. SWOBODA ********@***********.*** 314-***-****

coro ot.com/cswoboda

St. Louis, MO 2004 – 2007

SPECTRUM BRANDS SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Cutter, Garden Safe, Hot Shot, Repel, Schultz, Spectracide

Developed and supported strategies related to package design, P.O.P. and advertising. Led team

on large scale projects to maintain high quality standards and to meet deadlines.

• Designed retail brand packaging, catalogs, sell sheets, ads, brand identities and P.O.P.

• Performed and managed the details and progress as lead of projects from concept through delivery.

• Worked in partnership with brand managers to produce consistent quality and establish a better

understanding of the brand’s needs.

• Trained and consulted team members to maintain quality standards and achieve departmental goals

as it related to corporate/brand identity, current trends, color theory and image manipulation.

• Coordinated and styled photo shoots.

St. Louis, MO 1999 – 2004

CENTRIC GROUP, L.L.C. SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Betallic Balloon Co., Boxco., Courtesy Products, Keefe Group, Riddell Footwear, TRG Accessories

Led team on large scale projects to maintain standards and timelines.

• Created package designs, newsletters, catalogs, sell sheetd, ads, brand identities,

trade show graphics and websites.

• Performed and managed the details and progress of team projects from concept through delivery.

• Worked in partnership with internal clients to produce consistent quality and establish a better

understanding of the company’s needs.

• Coordinated and styled photo shoots and called on printers and other vendors for project specs.

SCHNUCKS MARKET, INC. St. Louis, MO 1996 – 1999 GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Responsible for package design, P.O.P. and advertising.

• Designed new packaging for Schnuck’s private label products.

• Designed in-store P.O.P. displays, brand identities, invitations, brochures, yers, graphics for banner

ads and website, logos for departments, out-house vendors and special events.

• Called on printers, paper houses and other vendors for project speci cations.

FREELANCE 1998 – Current CREATIVE DIRECTOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

• Develop strategies and managed projects from concept through delivery.

• Design packaging, newsletters, brochures, corporate identity packages, ads and invitations.

• Work with printers on bids, turn around times and artwork speci cations.

client list includes: Fair Saint Louis – St. Louis Rams – Hautly Cheese – Keller labs – Plaza Motors – TriStar BMW

Biomérieux – Scobis – Norwood Country Club – 1st Community Credit Union

EDUCATION RECOGNITION

GD USA – 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011

COLUMBUS COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN

B.F.A., Illustration Graphic Design Design, In-House Design, Package Design Awards

PLMA - 2007

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

A.A.S., Advertising Design Commercial Art Package Design Award

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