creative mindset

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Art Direction / Advertising & Brand Marketing

Award-winning art director with a record driving business for diverse industries. Passion for creating sharp, professional, and unique designs and messages that immediately attract attention and drive responses. Skilled in developing high-impact marketing materials, brand identities, and print designs. Record of meeting the most demanding deadlines, communicating effectively with cross-functional teams, and leading by example. Dedicated to finding the most cost-effective and creative solutions for all challenges. Known for taking a hands-on approach directing artists, collaborating with clients, and bringing creative concepts to life.

Notable Skills:

Marketing & Advertising: Promotional Conceptualization; Direct Mail (DM); Newspaper Ads; Retail Marketing; Direct Response (DR) Campaigns 

Interactive Campaigns Artistic Leadership: Graphic Design; Conceptual Direction; Photography Art Direction; Typography; Layout & Composition; Font & Color Management; Photo shoot Oversight; Multimedia Development; User Design Experience (UX)

Business Development: Identity Development; Logo Design; Powerpoint Presentations; Customer Service; Company Branding; Client Interviews; Corporate Communications; Digital Client Relationship Management (CRM) 

Print Materials: Brochures; Newsletters; Posters & Signs; Collateral Materials; Point-of-Purchase (POP); Packaging

Team Management: Staff Inspiration & Training; Hiring & Recruiting; Project Management; Production Oversight; Cross-functional Communications; Budget Management; Video Presentations

Career Success:

HAMILTON BEACH, February 2023 – Present

DIGITAL ART DIRECTOR

Create social media campaigns using animated gifs, videos and static ads to bring the products to the consumer, no matter their screen preference. Art direct still photography and videography, capturing products, lifestyle modeling, and recipe creation, insuring file transition to all current social media canvas sizes. Instill in our customers the quality, history, and expertise in every post, ad, or instructional/recipe video created.

Key Achievements:

Added value by editing complete videos from external vendors to reduce budget constraints. Added current social media tactics to videos to encourage additional views and continued interaction. Created a brand awareness social media review, compiling data, documenting likes comments and interaction, all related to our core brands as well as our competition.

VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE, January 2020 – February 2023

GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER

Created a vibrant new branding approach by using lighting effects to add drama to existing brand. Designed advertising campaigns that introduced the new branding as well as the branding of the exhibitions. Developed brochures, magazines, flyers and digital media, to deliver the message of history to the museum loving public.

Key Achievements:

Updated the look of the museum, creating a contemporary brand experience within a traditional museum setting. Added value to the team by managing the workflow of the graphics department, press checks and relevant client interactions. Seen as a catalyst member, adding sweeping changes seamlessly. 

CAPITAL ONE, 2004 – August 2019

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Developed a high-performing creative team to successfully execute design projects for multimillion dollar advertising campaigns. Create and maintain graphical standards, templates, and resources. Design Senior VP level video presentations. Concept and develop control beaters and increase lift for existing packages in varied lines of business.

Key Achievements:

Designed brand architecture and ownable graphics within US Card Internal Communication, Customer Management and Rewards Division. Created award-winning campaigns while meeting extremely tight timelines. Selected to redesign the company’s new statement, improving its organization and clarity while reflecting federal regulation changes. Provided branding direction for local non-profit organizations as the principal art director supporting Capital One’s community outreach program.

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, 2009 – 2015

ADJUNCT FACULTY

Developed two innovative Public Relations Graphics courses that introduced graphics, presentation, and branding principles to Mass Communication students. Taught cutting-edge graphic techniques within real life scenarios using Macintosh and Adobe CC.

Key Achievements:

Utilized advanced expertise to develop the comprehensive curriculum; successfully adapted materials for students with diverse backgrounds. Ensured the timely completion of projects and assignments by providing individual attention to students and seamlessly directing multiple project teams simultaneously. Cultivated a positive classroom environment through effective collaboration with students. 

RIDDICK CORP MARKETING, 1999 – 2004

ART DIRECTOR/PROJECT MANAGER

Expertly led the creative direction of high profile accounts such as Rubbermaid Commercial Products. Served as primary client contact, art director, and graphic designer. Provided innovative concepts, photo art direction, and preliminary sketches. Seamlessly coordinated and directed all photo shoots; ran multiple studios at the same time, scouted the best locations, booked models, and styled sets/props. Managed vendor relationships and press checks.

Key Achievements:

Maximized profitability by carefully controlling budgets, developing accurate price quotes, and successfully negotiating all vendor contracts. Shot beautiful photography, created stylish packaging and produced functional illustrated instruction guides for 50+ products. Built a cohesive, recognizable brand image by designing, implementing, and expanding on a group of existing brand standards.

MUMFORD MARKETING, 1997 – 1999
ART DIRECTOR

Skillfully directed the production of diverse collateral marketing materials, including over-sized POP materials. Produced captivating brochures, and compelling advertising campaigns while attending press checks, photo shoots and client management meetings.

Key Achievements:

Increased business by effectively managing large, multi-faceted campaigns from the concept to their completion. Developed a solid reputation for doing whatever it takes to deliver superior design concepts to all clients. Designed clean and well-constructed graphics supported by thought-provoking concepts.

"After having worked with Donald previously, I find that he is the benchmark I repeatedly measure other creative staff against."

Angela Devereaux, Senior Marketing Manager

“Donald is the rare type of art director that understands a good photographer has vision as well… and he’s able to use us as tools, he directs me without directing me.”

Thomas A Daniel, Photographer

“Any project within marketing requires a team effort and a leader who sets an example of professionalism. Donald has demonstrated to me that being a good Art Director isn't about bossing your team around, it's about understanding what your team members can creatively offer to any given project."

Adam Campen, Illustrator, Multi-Media Artist