Experience

Cygnet Midwest

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Art Director

  • Jan 2014 - Present

  Art directing, managing and executing design (print, web, UI/UX) and front-end development, leading design and developer teams, managing workflows, and mentoring in agile environments for web and app development. Liaise with client teams daily to ensure success and satisfaction. • Improved client satisfaction by 40% and heightened communication by deploying a customized projects portal. • Increased sales leads by 35% with our company website redesign, maximizing SEO, responsive functionality, and speed. • Identified and developed client web hosting revenue stream, overseeing dozens of client sites, DNS settings, databases, and web application installations. • Boosted team performance by 25% by deploying a project management solution. Worked with a diverse range of clients including Kuriyama of America, Portillo's Restaurant Group, Cadillac of Naperville, Gjovik Ford, RV Women's Association, Hofmann Fluid Power, and many more. Show less



Stevens and Tate Marketing

• Art Director

  • Sep 2012 - Jan 2014

  Spear-headed multiple client projects covering advertising and marketing campaigns, web site launches, interactive marketing, and more. Managed on-site and off-site freelancers that assist with projects. • Created product identity for new line of consumer appliances. • Managed vendors and freelance team through time-sensitive project life cycles and budgets, aligning with account executives, copywriters, and web developers. • Re-coded website with HTML5 and CSS3 to make it faster and more future friendly. Worked with a diverse range of clients including K. Hovnanian Homes, Aldi, Carstens, Five-Star Audio Visual, MCA Corporation, and more. Show less



Colin D. Pritchard Design / Rocket No. 9

• Principal & Creative Director

  • Apr 2006 - Apr 2013

  Oversaw all details of the business, completing and managing projects from cradle to grave. Managed sales, client contact, subcontractors and more on a daily basis. Worked on web design and development, print design, and illustration, overseeing all aspects of projects. Designed and hand-coded many web sites for a range of clients. Worked with a diverse range of clients including Verizon Wireless, Quattro Wireless, Saffron Technology, R. R. Street & Company, Ideal, Tecnifibre USA, and Suncast. Show less



Chicago Sun-Times

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Web Designer

  • Aug 2011 - Sep 2012

  Successfully redesigned Monster co-branded pages for 40 publication web sites. Relaunched 32 publication web sites with redesigned layout.Managed web development project workflow and bug ticketing system for web department. Provided guidance for developers on best practice user interface design and front-end coding. Worked closely with developers to launch new web site features on multiple web sites. Recommended and guided the department to adopt new project management software, saving the company substantial cost. Show less

• Lead Marketing Creative

  • Sep 2010 - Aug 2011

  Managed creative project workflow for marketing department as well other marketing designers. Provided art direction, graphic design, copy writing, and web design for many projects as well as major company initiatives. Responsible for proofing and submitting advertising for daily and weekly publications. Reorganized department's workflow and processes in order to increase efficiency and cut down on errors.Helped to launch Sun-Times Media's daily deal product, WantsaDeal, by creating logo, marketing, advertising campaigns, web site design, email blasts, etc. Refreshed identity of beleaguered auto portal, ToDrive.com, by redesigning brand, creating new advertising print and web campaign, and redesigning web site. Spearheaded creation of completely new classifieds filler ads for Sun-Times Media network of daily publications. Redesigned new online classifieds ad wizard for all publications that allowed customers to easily purchase print and online classified ads. Show less



LBP Manufacturing

• United States
• Packaging and Containers Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Lead Graphic Designer

  • Sep 2004 - Apr 2006

  Worked as graphic designer, art director, and department co-manager. Managed 2 other designers, assigning their work, scheduling time, and providing art direction. Spearheaded creation of corporate style guide that detailed logo usage, tagline usage, color palette, typography, etc. Created new concepts for company’s marketing and branding initiatives. Carried this across multiple mediums and usages to help make marketing and branding a success. Brought new life into product lines by reinvigorating visual identities. Created new logos and supporting identities for a dozen products. Relaunched stalled product sellsheets with a cohesive family redesign that bolstered company’s complete product line. Redesigned product catalog into an easier to use and easier to read version which complemented the corporate identity. All were received with enthusiasm from both customers and employees. Helped establish departmental guidelines and rules for server usage, file set-up, and workflow. Show less



Tangle, Inc.

• United States
• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Owner and Creative Director

  • 2002 - Sep 2004

  Managed all aspects of the business, from sales to billing. Worked on print and web design, plus illustration and copy writing, overseeing all aspects of projects from start to finish, including print management and procurement. Provided web site hosting and management to clients. Helped to launch companies, such as MilitaryHire.com and Nursetown.com, and helped them grow into successful businesses by creating their identity, web site, marketing materials, and advertising. Managed all aspects of the business, from sales to billing. Worked on print and web design, plus illustration and copy writing, overseeing all aspects of projects from start to finish, including print management and procurement. Provided web site hosting and management to clients. Helped to launch companies, such as MilitaryHire.com and Nursetown.com, and helped them grow into successful businesses by creating their identity, web site, marketing materials, and advertising.



VisualMedia, Ltd.

• United States
• IT Services and IT Consulting

• Creative Director of New Media

  • 2003 - 2004

  Worked on multiple projects as designer and programmer. Estimated and wrote proposals for numerous projects. Managed and updated dozens of web sites. Managed, created, and updated monthly HTML email newsletters. Oversaw printing and manufacturing of projects such as business cards and CD-ROMs. Worked on multiple projects as designer and programmer. Estimated and wrote proposals for numerous projects. Managed and updated dozens of web sites. Managed, created, and updated monthly HTML email newsletters. Oversaw printing and manufacturing of projects such as business cards and CD-ROMs.



Paetzold Design

• United States
• Advertising Services

• New Media Director

  • 1999 - 2002

  Oversaw and created nearly three dozen web sites and new media pieces, including CD-ROMs, retail kiosks, and internet applications. Carried Paetzold Design through hard times with profitable new media work. Consistently created concepts and designs that clients loved. Acted as art director and designer on numerous print pieces, including identity, marketing, publishing, and retail. Managed other designers, photo shoots, programmers, and copywriters. Estimated and managed dozens of projects. Worked within tight budget constraints and fast turn around times. Show less