Manager Design

WALI M. BARRETT

phone // 781-***-****

web // wmbgraphicdesigns.com

email // ********@*****.***

Skills & Abilities

• Creative direction from concept to completion

• Brand Development

• Instructional Training

• Photography direction

• Managing, scheduling, budgeting, and staff mentoring

• Solid understanding of IA/UX

• Content and asset management

• Manage contractors, vendors, photographers from outside Agencies

• Conceptualize and pitch ideas internally/externally to clients

• Adobe Creative Suite

Experience

Purchasing Power

May 2013 – April 2014, Atlanta, GA

Sr. Art Director/Creative Manager

• Creative designer and strategist for daily B2B and B2C marketing materials such as emails, direct mail campaigns,

online banner ads, landing pages, for our ecommerce site.

• Lead designer for visual branded campaigns that were developed from concept to completion.

• Collaborated with major stakeholders’ to ensure creative represented brand development through all

consumer touch points.

• Project Lead for the instructional training and deployment of a new e-commerce multichannel master data management

tool for the Marketing Team named Hybris.

• Collaborated with Sr. Brand Manager in seeking an agency to enhance brand development.

• Hired and managed a new successful design team the first 90 days of employment.

• Created a new production schedule to improve Design and Marketing Teams day-to-day trafficking processes

and strategies cross functionally.

• Daily improvements of cross-functional team processes such as naming conventions, design templates, design style

sheets, creative briefs, and product image solutions.

The Home Depot September 2011 – April 2013, Atlanta, GA

Sr. Art Director/Creative Supervisor

• Lead the development and execution of creative concepts through the brand and social media.

• Creative designer and strategist for Social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, which aligned with print

and web brand campaigns.

• Creative Team Leader for a new implementation of appliance brand rollout to ensure customer awareness and to gain

market share against competitors.

• Earned the creative managerial responsibility for a top grossing Merchandising team within 6 months of employment in

addition to my existing merchandising teams.

• Supervisor of team artists, contractors, team photography, and staff mentoring.

Creatis January 2010 – July 2011, Minneapolis, MN

Contractor

• Responsible for creation and art direction of the brand visual design strategy across all consumer touch points including

brand identity and graphic design within a vast range of corporations.

Best Buy Corporate December 2007 – December 2009, Minneapolis, MN

Senior Art Director

• Lead designer and collaboration with Modern Climate agency for the first Best Buy 3D insert, which recorded 1/3 of all

traffic to Best Buy.com, generating press releases from adage.com.

• Responsible for the design vision of World of Warcraft nationwide launch in all circulars, with record-breaking numbers in PC

gaming sales and its accessories in Best Buy stores.

• Produced a new Apple brand identity in Best Buy circulars, which strengthened vendor brand relationship along with

creating more marketing and advertising opportunities for Apple and Best Buy.

• Created a laptop brand layout, which increased sale growth by 24 - 30% in weekly circular.

• Supervised a staff of production artists and freelance designers with direction that included workload distribution, training,

and creative development.

• Created cross-channel designs to ensure brand strategy is being recognized through print and ecommerce consistently.

• Collaborated with copy to write clear and concise creative briefs.

• Directed photographers with conceptual visions during photo shoots.

Belk Merchandising, LLC March 2006 – July 2007, Charlotte, NC

Art Director

• Designed direct mail pieces creatively which overcame budget constraints but yet earned revenue for

merchant teams consistently.

• Directed and designed new holiday perfume circular that achieved a significant financial growth.

• Exercised strong background in brand identity project management and demonstrated experience

in brand visualization.

• Proven ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects within specified deadlines in a fast paced environment.

• Directed photographers with conceptual visions during photo shoots

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. October 2004 – 2005, Mooresville, NC

Art Director

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Lowe’s brand, Lowe’s consumers, and Lowe’s competitors, while

creating impactful designs within the circular.

• Established detailed knowledge of design principles and up-to-date knowledge of design trends for future circulars.

• Manage multiple projects thoroughly in a deadline-driven retail environment.

• Supervised a staff of production artists with direction that includes workload distribution, training,

and creative development.

• Created cross-channel designs to ensure brand strategy is being recognized through print and ecommerce consistently.

• Directed photographers with conceptual visions during photo shoots.

• Collaborated and communicated with outside printers and color separators.

Education

The Minneapolis School of Advertising, Design, & Interactive Studies (BRAINCO)

February 2011 – August 2011, Hopkins, MN

Certificate of Interactive Design and Architecture studies

Millersville University, Lancaster, PA

Bachelor of Science received December 2000

Industrial Technology, Concentration in Graphic Communications

Profile

Accomplished design professional with a consistent record of high performance providing overall leadership, creative vision

from concept to completion for major retail corporations such as Home Depot, Best Buy, Belk, Lowe’s, Filene’s, and

The Gillette Company. Recognized by management for designs that complement retail brand awareness driven by excellent

photography direction and communication skills. A motivational leader and coach, responsible for personal development,

training and mentoring of team members.

Associations

University Of Minnesota Mentorship for Graphic Designers

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Inroads, Inc. (Training and Development Program); New England/Central Affiliate, Boston, MA

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