Career Summary:

• I am experienced in packaging design, display design, digital advertising, social media design, ideation, creating/building/leveraging various brands, traditional print, internal marketing, presentations, art direction, and much more!

• I have achieved a trifecta of design experience over the years, in that I have worked directly for vendors, manufacturers, and shopper marketing agencies.

• I am positive, outgoing, and genuine. I like a good puzzle, and I’m always ready for new challenges!

• I pride myself in providing creative & cost-effective solutions for customers.

• I love interacting with the customer and being able to help them through the creative process. Whether it is a brainstorm, creating a focus group, illustrating initial ideas, doing press checks, going on store walks, and so forth, I always do my best to make clients feel special and heard!

• I also have supervisory experience, and absolutely love mentoring other creatives. I consider myself to be compassionate and cognizant of other people’s needs, desires, and wants. Having the opportunity to help mold and teach a direct report again, would always be much welcomed! Career History:

• BAY CITIES – 3D Rendering Graphic Designer: I created real world POP & packaging solutions for a plethora of vendors & retailers. My 2D and 3D skill sets allowed customers and buyers the ability to visualize how products will be housed and shopped. Whether it’s a box opening online or a stellar in-store display, I absolutely love being able to create a positive experience for customers! I worked closely with our structural designers, and always made sure that my designs were both fun AND feasible! Some the larger clients I designed for included: Walmart, Hasbro, Sony, Disney, and Warner Brothers. Bentonville, AR (6/2021-4/2023) Noteworthy: One of my biggest successes as of late, was putting forth everything I had to win a 2.7M piece of business from Walmart for Halloween Pet in 2022. I had sat down with their team, learned about their target shopper, and then started in on mood boards, call to action copy, presentations, shopping solutions for that shopper, original graphics, 3D renderings, and so forth. Our salesperson gave me the credit, and as a result of its success, we received a repeat request the very next year! It was a great experience!

• INTERNATIONAL PAPER – Graphic Design Lead I designed a multitude of displays and packaging for the retail environment. I was required to sketch, occasionally meet with clients, create stellar graphics, build 3D renderings, prep art for production, attend press checks, create print cards, build in-store assembly instructions and so forth down the line. Bentonville, AR (8/2016-2/2021) Noteworthy: Walmart had a kickoff meeting about their then current beauty brands in-store. Their goal in 2018 was to create awareness of the beauty brands carried, and ultimately increase basket size.

(Both with the boxes in-store, as well as a subscription service. …One can still go and look for vloggers that did awesome box openings on YouTube.) They wished to do this with a line of really eye-catching beauty boxes. I was stoked when I got the project and went to work taking the Walmart team through the full creative process. I started with understanding their target shopper, creating mood boards, sketches, and fun. I was also in charge of the photoshoots, press checks, some copy, final package design, and display design. It was incredibly rewarding to see how successful the launch was! Not only did the boxes sell out in a week, Walmart came back with a request for yet another fun design in 2019!

• SAATCHI & SAATCHI X – Senior Art Director (Hired on from a freelancer): I learned a lot about designing in the digital world. I had the pleasure of being able to work with SSX’s largest client, Proctor and Gamble. I was required to design an array of static and non-static ads, as well as various complimentary in-store marketing components. The goal was always to keep every touch point consistent. Online customers can be compelled to visit brick and mortar locations, while in-store shoppers can be swayed to ALSO purchase those same products online. It was here that I realized just how powerful a consistent branding message can be over multiple platforms. A good branding story is everything! Springdale, AR (1/2016-8/2016)

• MATCH MARKETING GROUP – Associate Creative Director: I focused on creating better brand experiences within the retail environment. I did this by conceptualizing, illustrating, art directing, and designing a multitude of projects both in the 2D and 3D world. I had the pleasure of leading a fellow creative. As his supervisor, I did my best to teach him the ways of retail, and how to translate client’s visions into strategic, innovative, and trendy design solutions that appeal to the end shopper. Projects we worked on included POP displays, packaging, retail design, and signage programs. Finally, some of the clients we got to work with included Novartis OTC Drug, Giavanni Rana and iRobot. Rogers, AR (6-2012-12/2015)

• D.L. RYAN COMPANIES – Senior Art Director: I specialized in creating brand experiences within the retail environment. I conceptualized, illustrated, art directed, and designed a multitude of projects in both 2D and 3D. These projects included, but were limited to: POP displays, retail design, signage programs and packaging. I translated client’s visions into strategic, innovated, and trendy design solutions that appealed to the end shopper. I had the opportunity to work on several retainer accounts such as: MARS Candy, ConAgra Foods, White Cloud, Pedigree, and Energizer. Rogers, AR (8/2008-6/2012)

• BENNETT PACKAGING – Art Director: I designed packaging and displays for a variety of clients. I worked very closely with the CAD designers to create innovative structures. While it was part of my job to help create tangible prototypes, I also provided our clients a 3D rendering to view and critique before we entered int to the prototype phase. I worked closely with the clients to conceptualize new designs or carry through an existing design, to tie into their retail needs. I also designed various sales materials for many of Bennett’s marketing needs. Bentonville, AR (4/2008-8/2008)

• RAPID PROTOTYPES – Art Director: I designed, conceptualized, and art directed a variety of packaging lines. I was required to work under very tight deadlines, and usually worked face to face with all our clients. While I mainly focused on a packaging design, I also assisted other designers with their projects, altered existing designs to work with new CAD structures, and prepared files for print. I also did some product photography and illustration for various clients. Bentonville, AR (9/2007-4/2008)

• NEW CREATURE– Art Director: I conceptualized, art directed, and designed a multitude of projects in both the 2D and 3D world. I translated client’s visions into innovative and trendy design solutions. I designed everything from ads and sales kits, to packaging and 3D pallet renderings. I also did photography and illustration for various clients. Finally, I designed all the advertising and marketing materials for our own company. I was required to work well under pressure, multi-task, project manage, and develop creative work within tight deadlines. Rogers, AR (2005-9/2007)

• THE WHISTLER GROUP – Graphic Designer: I designed an array of ads, packaging, catalogs, logos, and manuals. I also photographed products to be used for packaging and advertisements. I also worked on various internal marketing tasks as well. Bentonville, AR (2003-2005) Current Software & Platform Proficiencies (MAC & PC):

• Illustrator

• Photoshop

• 3D Studio Max

• Artios CAD (Used in conjunction with 3D modeling)

• Outlook

• Power Point

• Excel

• Word

• Acrobat

• Web Center (Project Management Software)

Education:

• University of Wisconsin Whitewater: Bachelor’s in Graphic Design & Associate in Marketing Non-Profit Design Experiences:

• The Benton County Chamber of Commerce

• The first Tee of NW Arkansas

• Sharing and Caring of Benton County

• Havenwood (NWA Women’s Shelter)

• NWA Metsquerade (Breast Cancer Awareness)

• NWA Business Women’s Conference

References and Portfolio:

• Available upon request