Creative Director Brand Strategy

KIM SONSKY

CREATIVE DIRECTOR PACKAGING • BRANDING • CREATIVE STRATEGY

646-***-**** ***.******@*****.***

Linkedin.com/in/KimSonsky KimSonsky.com

SUMMARY

Results-driven Creative Director with 15+ years of experience driving significant sales growth for Fortune 500 and high-growth companies ($500M+ product launches for Bath & Body Works, sell-out QVC for Slatkin + Co.). A strategic thinker with an agile approach able to seamlessly navigate complex projects, leading teams, guiding brainstorming sessions and ensuring flawless project delivery. Expert in fostering collaborative environments, and translating emerging trends into successful creative solutions, particularly in beauty and sustainability.

EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

BS

Graphic Design

Fashion Institute of

Technology

Magna Cum Laude

AAS

Advertising Design

Fashion Institute of

Technology

Magna Cum Laude

HONOR

Advertising Design

Merit Award

Fashion Institute of

Technology

SOFT SKILLS

Communication

+ Presentation

High Emotional Intelligence

Encourage Innovation

Foster Teamwork

Strategic Thinker

Creative + Production

Problem Solver

Excel in Developing

Spontaneous Ideas

A.I. Prompts

TECH SKILLS

ADOBE CC

ADOBE Firefly

MidJourney

Microsoft Office

Chat GPT

Gemini

Asana • Figma

SLATKIN + CO [REMOTE COMPANY]

SENIOR CREATIVE, 3/2023- 12/2024

• Brand Strategy & Development:

• Developed and executed visually compelling, strategically aligned concepts in collaboration with the CEO and CCO.

• Led 360 brand design strategy, systemization, and deployment for Dwell212 across all consumer touchpoints.

• Ensured consistent brand identity across packaging, social media, point-of-purchase (POP), and visual merchandising (VM).

• Created limited-edition collections and executed targeted campaigns for holidays and special occasions.

• Packaging Design & Innovation:

• Conceptualized, designed, and developed premium packaging for the Dwell212 personal care line, from initial sketches and 3D renderings to final production and launch.

• Conducted market research and competitive analysis to inform a unique packaging and messaging strategy.

• Successfully conveyed a luxurious brand image through innovative material selection, elegant typography, and sophisticated color palettes.

• Highlighted the brand's commitment to eco-friendly practices and sustainable packaging.

• Achieved a substantial increase in sales, resulting in a sell-out within the first 10 minutes of the QVC launch.

• Creative Execution & Technology:

• Utilized AI software within the creative process for concept development that led to the final product creation.

• Experienced in both digital and print design, ensuring effective cross-media translation.

• Oversaw and approved design elements, layouts, and visual concepts, maintaining aesthetic quality and brand standards.

• Effectively communicated work through virtual presentations to internal teams and C-suite leadership.

• Collaborated with cross-functional partners, departments, and external vendors (domestic and international).

• Maintained a passion for innovation and stayed up to date with the latest design trends and technologies.

• Key Skills:

• Brand Strategy & Systemization, Market Research & Analysis, Luxury Brand Management

• AI-Enhanced Design, Digital & Print Design, Eco-conscious design, Packaging Design & Development,

• Visual Communication, Virtual Presentations

• Cross-functional Collaboration, Project Management EOS (EVOLUTION OF SMOOTH®)

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, Remote Consultant, 2022-2023

• Delivered high-quality designs for a successful Holiday 2024 launch.

• Translated creative concepts into impactful, mood-driven, and story-focused visuals.

• Effectively presented creative work to internal teams and senior leadership via virtual presentations. JOCOTT BRANDS (TJMAXX, MARSHALLS – PERSONAL CARE)

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, Remote Consultant, 2022

• Developed premium packaging solutions for Jocott Brands' personal care and hair care lines, specifically tailored for TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods distribution.

• Enhanced brand perception by implementing luxurious designs through strategic material selection, typography, and color palettes.

SHISEIDO (BAREMINERALS)

ASSOCIATE DESIGN DIRECTOR, 2019-2022

• Creative Leadership & Collaboration:

• Fostered cohesive teams by leveraging diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.

• Provided visual direction and guidance to graphic designers, copywriters, and production team members, promoting a collaborative and high-quality creative process.

• Collaborated with cross-functional partners, departments, and external vendors to align creative needs with brand strategy and campaign activations.

• Led the art direction of pre-production sampling for new product introductions, ensuring alignment with brand standards across domestic & international vendor collaborations.

• Strategic Design & Innovation:

• Pioneered the development of bareMinerals' first sustainable all-paper eyeshadow palette, driving rapid sell-out of key shades and expansion of the product line for both core and seasonal offerings

• Led the development of innovative designs and products, establishing project frameworks, brainstorming initial concepts, and presenting compelling proposals to leadership.

• Generated strategic ideas that elevated brand presence across packaging, digital, social media, and other consumer touchpoints.

• Developed streamlined speed models for virtual presentations, reducing revisions by 50%.

• Collaborated with Global Brand Creative leadership to develop innovative, eco-conscious packaging solutions that aligned with brand identity and business objectives.

• Design Execution & Expertise:

• Experienced in both digital and print design, with a strong understanding of cross-media translation.

• Effectively balanced creative strategy and execution of sustainable products, from concept to final release.

• Experienced on-set Creative Director with a refined aesthetic for high-end visual storytelling.

• Passionate about staying up to date with the latest design trends and technologies.

• Key Skills:

• Team Leadership & Collaboration, Creative Direction, Cross-functional collaboration.

• Brand Strategy, Visual Communication, Presentation Development, Project Management

• Sustainable Design, Product Design & Development, Packaging Design, Digital & Print Design L BRANDS (BATH & BODY WORKS)

ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR – HOME FRAGRANCE + SOAPS / SANITIZERS, 2006-2018

• Strategic Innovation & Brand Leadership:

• Spearheaded company-wide innovation and brand realignment initiatives, establishing a reputation as a "go-to" resource.

• Anticipated future trends and translated them into groundbreaking strategies, ensuring seamless brand integration across all consumer touchpoints.

• Played a pivotal role in Bath & Body Works' growth from $1M to $4.5B by leading innovative product design as Director.

• Consistently presented compelling new collections and ideas to leadership, shaping brand direction.

• Team Leadership & Collaboration:

• Led and mentored creative teams, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and high-quality creative output.

• Built cohesive teams that leveraged diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.

• Collaborated with Marketing and cross-functional partners to align creative needs with brand strategy and campaign activations.

• Fostered effective teamwork by building cohesive teams that leveraged diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.

• Provided creative direction for photo and video productions, ensuring aesthetic quality and brand consistency.

• Project Management & Execution:

• Managed multiple design projects simultaneously, consistently adhering to deadlines and budget constraints.

• Oversaw and approved design elements, layouts, and visual concepts, ensuring accuracy and brand alignment.

• Proactively addressed client feedback and integrated it into project work to ensure successful outcomes.

• Expert knowledge of brand systems, typography, layout, and a rich cultural library for inspiration.

• Directed the development of high-end, affordable candle and soap designs, significantly impacting sales and market share.

• Candles: Led high-profile Fall and Winter candle collections, achieving #1 sales rankings and driving sales exceeding $500M. Established the 3-Wick Candle as the top-selling format. Successfully introduced textured glass forms (hobnail, ribbed, corkscrew) in luxury shop-in-shop White Barn stores, exceeding sales expectations.

• Soaps: Introduced black and white opaque soap bottles, surpassing sales expectations and inspiring a new White Barn opaque color line. Pioneered the use of black and white abstract photography, exceeding sales targets and disrupting traditional product storytelling.

• Key Skills:

• Team Leadership & Mentoring, Cross-functional collaboration.

• Creative Direction, Brand Strategy & Development, Project Management

• Market Trend Analysis, Sales Growth & Strategy, Visual Communication, Luxury Packaging Design

• Quantifiable Achievements:

• Drove Bath & Body Works' growth from $1M to $4.5B in 4 years.

• Led candle collections that generated over $500M in sales.

• Achieved #1 sales ranking for multiple candle collections.

• Successfully launched new product lines that exceeded sales expectations.

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