Art Director

Sharon Kropp

Creative Director Art Director

P.O. Box 272 Paonia, Colorado 81428

970-***-**** *************@*****.***

QUALIFICATIONS PROFILE

Highly creative, detail-oriented, and seasoned artist and designer, with extensive experience and outstanding artistic ability from stylized to technical to fine arts. Equipped with well-honed proficiency in overseeing and facilitating product conceptualization, development, design, and creation. Knowledgeable of product preparation and development as well as in implementing strategic launch for new product. Adept at scheduling, directing, and coordinating cross-functional team to achieve goals. Enthusiastic and flexible; passionate in handling higher level of responsibility and facing greater career challenges. Powered with excellent leadership and collaboration skills; capable of providing clear direction to staff.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Innovative Design Concept Development Trade Show Exhibits Product Design Catalogs and Event Graphics Hand Lettering

Consumer Events Advertising Key Account Relations Sourcing and Trend Analysis Problem Resolution Budget Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Little Yellow Bicycle Brand - MOMENTA 125 Brewery Lane, Suite 310 Portsmouth, NH

Art Director 2013-Present

Little Yellow Bicycle Deja Views® - The C-Thru Ruler® Company Bloomfield, CT

Sr. Creative Director 2011-2013 Creative Director 2005-2011 Designer 1998-2005

Freelance Designer

1982–Present

- Exemplified creativity in developing design for logo, menu, brochure, sign, and promotional items.

- Displayed expertise in stylized hand-lettering as well as in formulating designs for licensing in fabric and wall decor.

- _Provide expert oversight and actively participate in full life cycle of product design and development within the paper crafting industry.

- _Administer operational, creative, budget, bid review, staffing, and administrative functions.

- _Stay abreast with and explore trends; gather inspiration according to relevant and current consumer demand; create and design product based on trend information and sales (SKU) analysis.

- _Organize schedules, author specifications, set and meet deadline requirements for a 9- to 12-month projection within specific and allocated budgets for a rigorous design cycle.

- _Secure pricing to attain aimed target retails by closely collaborating with the Sourcing Team and directly negotiating with vendors.

- _Effectively lead a team consisting of graphic designers as well as in-house and freelance designers with multiple priorities and projects.

- _Implement product development on schedule by guiding and communicating with the team through the process.

- _Perform initial phase of development, which involves hand-drawn sketches for product and packaging while clearly detailing vision and direction.

- _Utilize extensive knowledge of key account management in sales presentation; establish and solidify high-quality relationships with buyers for accounts such as Hobby Lobby, JoAnn’s, Michael’s, A.C. Moore.

- _Spearhead the planning and design of merchandising product displays, signage, education, and sales for trade shows.

- _Drive team efforts in marketing, catalogs, print advertising, planning, web-based marketing, branding, social media, and planning and executing education for consumer events.

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