Creative Professional
Experienced and award-winning creative professional. Known for innovative thinking, a second-to-none work ethic and efficient execution. Passionate about team and cross-fuctional collaboration, improving processes across the board and exceeding deadlines.
Career Summary
Cabela’s, Inc. and Blue SoHo
Art Director, 2013-Present
• Worked with creative team members to produce various print projects in both an in-house and agency environment
• Championed all aspects of promotional flyers, direct event catalogs and other projects from strategy review to final proof sign-offs
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams including marketing and merchandising to acquire content and product stories
• Determined preliminary wireframes, design templates and assigned work to graphic design team
• Presented projects to executive team on a weekly basis, reviewing and influencing visual execution of the strategic plan
• Coached and mentored team of graphic designers and peers on brand identity, design challenges and time management skills
• Took on and executed special projects to drive business due to external pressures in the market
• Leveraged previous experience to improve relationships with merchandising, marketing, executives and field personnel
• Simplified and maintained project templates, saving time for graphic designers and other art directors
Retail Signage Art Director, 2005-2013
• Created signage for retail stores, from small price signs and point-of-purchase kits to event, department and seasonal programs
• Communicated with merchants, corporate sign shop and field personnel to ensure correct and consistent content and design
• Worked with corporate signing team and other business units to create and implement a dynamic signing program
• Trained new store and corporate employees on signage systems and procedures
• Traveled and set up new and remodeled retail stores and merchandising trade shows
Excellence in Publishing, Inc., 1997-2005
Creative Services Manager
• Created advertising and layout for daily newspaper, quarterly publication and other special products
• Determined size and layout of daily paper and special sections from advertising manifests
• Designed special editions and their covers, newspaper logos, templates and special pages
• Managed small staff of artists and typesetters; managed legal notices
Additional Relevant Experience
4-H Youth Volunteer – Cheyenne/Kimball Banner Counties
Graphic Designer – BASiCK Crations, LLC/The French Door, Sidney, NE
Graphic Designer – Master Trading, Sidney, NE
Graphic Designer – Western Nebraska Community College Endowment Association, Sidney, NE
Community Educator, Introduction to Photoshop – Western Nebraska Community College, Sidney, NE
Adjunct Instructor, Mass Media and Marketing – Northeastern Junior College, Sterling, CO
Software Skills
Macintosh and PC proficient in InDesign, QuarkXpress, Photoshop, Illustrator, Media Bank, Xinet, ShotFlow1, Microsoft Word and Excel
Professional Awards
• Cabela’s Outfitter Award – Presented for work on Cabela’s Dynamic Sign System
• Cabela’s Pheasant Track Leadership Certificate – Presented for completion of Leadership Curriculum
• Nebraska Daily Advertising Managers Association Awards – Best Color Ad Half Page and Larger;
Best Color Ad Less than Half Page, Best Series of Ads
• Nebraska Press Association Better Newspapers Contest – Best Newspaper Promotion, Daily Division
Best “America at War” Specialty Page, Daily Division; Best Series of Ads, Daily Division
Education
Bachelor of Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Double Major in Agricultural Journalism, emphasis in advertising