Gordon
I have worked in many areas of Advertising, Retail and Manufacturing in my career where I have learned how to bring a product to market and sustain the brand awareness through shopper marketing media vehicles. My experience includes inception of a product through brainstorm meetings, developing integrated marketing plans along side the brand team while finishing with creating advertising, digital media, packaging and in-store display shopper marketing programs.
My key skill sets include strategic thinking, effective communication, multi-tasking, problem solving, working with outside vendors and ability to manage a team while having a passion for great designs. With my experiences working for a consumer packaged goods company and having a strong understanding of the consumer retail environment, I bring fresh design solutions with an eye on speed to market.
Resume
Objective A challenging opportunity in the field of Graphic Design and Marketing.
Education Masters Degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing,
University of Phoenix, 2008
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts with Emphasis in Visual Communications,
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1995
Experience
Ulta Beauty, Bolingbrook, IL In-Store Production Designer, 2017 - Present
• Primary responsibilities include coordinating, designing and producing all promotional weekly signage for the stores, along with other signage as needed thoughout the stores.
This also includes working closely with all the brands running promotions for that week,
i.e. L’Oreal, Clinique, Benefit Cosmetics, Redken, etc.
• Communicate directly with brands to receive in and review their artwork, communicate back if changes were needed, create signage with brand assets when requested for use in Ulta stores.
• Directly responsible for immediate signage for all stores to accommodate incremental promotion opportunities.
• Execute Holiday style guides by designing store signage with holiday graphics elements each year.
Anthem, Chicago, IL. Associate Creative Director, 2014 - 2017
• Primary responsibilities included concepting, strategic thinking, art direction, collaboration with copywriters on creative projects, project management and print production. Project types include point of sale displays, in-store signage, digital online content and print media for Ulta Beauty, Jim Beam, Barilla, Facebook, Medline and Accenture.
• Directly responsible for concept, design, client presentation and production of Jim Beam Kentucky Fire in store display program.
• Created a visual packaging strategy for Medline products that introduced photography using models with product usage.
• Lead a team to concept and layout the Justin Timberlake Sauza 901 Tequila in bar awareness promotion.
• Conducted formal hiring practices, completed annual performance reviews with 8 full-time employees, set yearly objectives and managed 2 internal freelancers.
• Managed internal project management tracking, creative reviews, creative routing process and production organizational workflow.
Newell Rubbermaid, Oak Brook, IL.,
Global Design Manager, 2004 – 2014
• Primary responsibilities included concepting, strategic thinking, art direction, package design, displays, digital online content, print media, promotional events support, external vendor management, project management and print production for Sharpie, Paper Mate, Prismacolor, Uniball, Mr. Sketch and Expo.
• Directly responsible for brand quality and consistency for all of Newell Rubbermaid Global Writing Segment for brands packaging, collateral, in-store displays, in-store signage that also involved global routing communication process.
• Partnered with the Creative Director to develop the global visual strategy for Sharpie Neon markers that included the strategic positioning, package design, photoshoot, reatail display designs, event materials, video art direction, collateral and designed several trade show booths.
• Collaborated with the internal creative team, Paper Mate brand team and an outside design firm on the design of the Paper Mate InkJoy packaging then communicated and assisted in managing the role out of the graphics globally.
• Lead a team in the redesign of Prismacolor packaging where we developed a new visual hierarchy and communication points.
• Collaborated with an outside firm as a member of an internal team on the development of the Sharpie brand essence guide where we brought the visual brand strategy to life.
• Conducted formal hiring practices, completed monthly, quarterly and annual performance reviews leading 10 full-time employees, along with setting yearly objectives for them while managing up to 12 freelancers with an annual budget of $1mm+.
• Created internal project management tracking procedures, creative routing process and production organizational workflow.
• Developed and managed outside design and production vendor relations.
Newell Rubbermaid, Oak Brook, IL., Graphic Designer, 2001 - 2004
• Managed and completed daily workload of concepts, designs and layouts for package designs, marker/pen barrel designs, print ads, point-of-purchase displays, presentation slides/boards, NASCAR track signage and various collateral pieces.
• Conceptualized and strategically designed the brand “Foohy” using consumer research which consisted of writing products and school accessories directly marketed towards the preteen demographic.
Ogilvy & Mather, Chicago, IL., Studio Manager for all clients, 2001
• Managed the daily operations of the studio staff, comprised of 16 employees on all accounts, which included Ameritrade, BP Amoco, Breyers, Helene Curtis, Illinois Lottery and Sears.
• Managed department finances and implemented new accounting software for studio.
• Routinely met with traffic managers to confirm that all materials were completed correctly, on-time and final production costs were met and responsible for quality assurance of all design & production work.
Arian, Lowe & Travis, Chicago, IL., Design Manager for all clients, 1998 - 2001
• Directed the day-to-day operations of the design department and instrumental as staff designer.
• Developed concepts, designs and production programs for client projects.
Waselle Communications (Leo Burnett), Chicago, IL., Design Manager on Marlboro advertising, 1995 - 1998
• Managed the day-to-day operations of the studio while organizing design & production elements on each job for production staff.
• Concepted and designed the Marlboro T-Shirt book to support quick turn promotions.
Skills
Experienced with construction of presentation materials using conventional studio methods
Experienced knowledge using the following problem solving tools:
9-Step Problem Solving Model - Value Stream Mapping - Mind Mapping - Six Sigma
Advanced knowledge of Mac and PC platforms along with the following programs:
Adobe Creative Suite - Workfront - Microsoft Office Programs - ESKO - Bar Code Programs
Monday Work Management - Miro - Frontify
Profile
I am a dependable person. I also make an amiable colleague and I am oriented toward continuous development.
Interests
Baseball - Bowling - SciFi - Football - Travel - College Football
Accomplishments
Member of the S.I.U.-C. Bowling Team, Fall 1990 - Spring 1995
Voted to All-Conference Bowling Team, 1993-1994
Coach of S.I.U.-C. Bowling Team, 1994-1995