Summary

Creative thought-leader with **+ years of experience orchestrating integrated marketing and design strategy for industry leading businesses. Possesses a keen understanding of marketing strategy, graphic design and the cohesive messaging infrastructure necessary to develop powerful, thoughtful and re- search-driven collateral. approaches branding, design and marketing with a collaborative and strategic mindset through visual storytelling. Has a proven track record of successful projects that have earned best of categories for their industries and with over 20 Gold Obie awards. SkillS & CaPabilitieS

• adobe Creative Suite ( inDesign, Photoshop & illustrator ) Proficient in microsoft Office Suite

• Senior Graphic Designer, hands-on-ability to take projects from concept through completion

• brand building - concept, creation, branding guidelines, integration and implementation

• Spacial design - creation of brand experiences in trade shows, signage and sales environments

• Strong problem solving skills and conceptual thinker - create visuals to explain complex concepts

• Project management, collaborative team member who develops and mentors team members

• excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills Thacker Advertising & Design - 2012 to Present - Roswell GA - www.thackerad.com Founder - Creative Director - Lead Designer

Founded taD in 2012 built marketing team associate network initiated business development program Logo Development, Branding, Store Design, Website, Merchandising, Marketing & Social Media

• DownTown Gowns - Wedding Dress Store in Carrollton, GA - www.downtowngowns.us Consulted on company name, designed logo, set up branding guidelines, created collateral, designed and directed the development of website, helped brand the store and merchandising, consulted on the marketing, event planning and social media campaign. ( With a very modest budget, the store exceeded the first year sales projections in 2nd Q and started making a profit within the first year ) Branding, Website Design & Development, Direct Mail Marketing & Social Media

• EliTE lanDscapE conTracTors - www.elitelandscape.biz Designed and developed new website, replacing out-dated static site with a responsive Wordpress site, keyword research, copywriting, organized and optimized company images, test and launch. Social media and direct mail campaign to announce new website and seasonal services. ( Prior to engaging TAD, Elite’s growth had stagnated and profits were in decline. After launch of new website and promotional campaign the website traffic has increased 10x and profits are growing again. ) Branding, Website Design & Development, Marketing Collateral & Signage

• wooDhavEn BEnD - Luxury community in Ballground GA - www.woodhavenbend.com Consulted with the principles and new real estate sales team, determined positioning, tagline, budget and timeline. rebranded the unique luxury community, with new logo, collateral, signage and website.

( Upon completion of the new website, collateral and signage being installed a new builder group was added and within the 1st Q of the relaunch, 3 lots with custom homes went under contract. ) CraiG tHaCker roswell, Ga 30075 404-***-**** ac77xt@r.postjobfree.com Portfolio www.thackerad.com in linkedin.com/in/craigthacker exPerienCe

Creative Director, Design Services manager, Senior Graphic Designer Spectrum Design Group - 1991 to 2012 - Sandy Springs GA Vice President - Creative Director

established design department policies and procedures - Directly managed and mentored the marketing team • Created marketing budgets, creative briefs and production schedules with reports submitted to cli- ents or management • Senior leader of all strategic marketing and creative efforts produced by the firm

• Manage projects collaboratively with the firm’s management and fellow team members • Senior designer on all top level projects, collaborating with team members as needed • Participated in all strategy and plan- ning sessions • Produced and assisted in business development and campaign presentations Senior Designer - Art Director

Lead designer, directed or developed all the creative produced by the firm • Defined procedures for creative department and managed outside vendors, photographers and freelance talent • Art directed photo shoots

• Managed design & production of trade show displays and sales centers Signature Project at Spectrum - Started planing project in 1991 to final phase in 2013

• vickEry - First New Urbanism Mixed-use Community in North Atlanta • AHBA Gold Obie Winner Consulted with project principles in the planning meetings of this iconic master-planned community. Designed the logo, branding, collateral, signage and sales center. Headed up the marketing, print advertis- ing, billboards and eventually adding a website. lead creative on the addition of a major commercial /retail section to the community called Vickery Village. ( Served as the Lead Designer and Creative Director for all of Hedgewood’s communities and as well as their corporate branding. ) Graphic Works - Atlanta, GA

Art Director - Senior Designer - Graphic Designer

lead and mentored a team of designers creating marketing collateral including: logos, brochures, posters, flyers, package design, trade show displays, print advertising and billboards • Art Direct photo shoots, stylize product shots, photographer on location shoots • Participate on client presentations and account pitches • Trained and developed new production artists • Quality assurance of print projects from design, mechanical, film to final printed piece at press checks Art Institute of Atlanta

Visual Communications - Associate of Arts / Atlanta, GA - magna cum laude majored in Graphic Design with an emphasis on logo Design/branding, Corporate identity, Package Design, typography and illustration

minor in Photography

East Central College - Associate of Arts / Union, Mo - magna cum laude majored in Fine arts with an emphasis on illustration, Sculpture, and Printmaking exPerienCe

eDuCatiOn

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