Design Instructor/Teacher at The Modern College of Design August 2018-Present
•Mentor and prepare students in pursuing excellence in design for successful careers as future designs leaders
•Lead curriculum in graphic design principles & studies, portfolio development, advertising and packaging design
Inhouse Design Consultancy & Studio Jan 2016 - Present Creative Director
•Executive Creative lead for brand development and design studio
•Focus on the understanding business needs with clients to optimize the development of verbal narrative and design strategy
•Supervise and direct creative team. Present creative vision, set strategic guardrails and uncover customer insights and business opportunities
•Set creative standards and goals, establishing a culture to foster the development of creative talent
•Manage the work of freelance artists and outside design services, ranging from packaging, product launches, brand initiatives, naming nomenclatures and rebranding initiatives
•Direct workflow and creative resources and provide creative direction & leadership
•Deliver clear and concise presentations to clients, throughout the branding and design development
Interbrand, Cincinnati Aug 2014 - 2016
Associate Creative Director
•Shaped creative strategy and oversaw visual direction for the P&G professional business and brand development portfolio of global products
•Increased sales by generating integrated on-line content, creative standards, “Big Idea” campaigns, concept creation, execution, and oversight of sales communication campaigns
•Ideated, developed, and supported creative solutions for Ad Sales, Business Development
•Collaborated and directed a team of designers while participating in the strategic shaping and design initiatives for international clients such as Protect-A-Bed, Keurig Green Mountain, Kroger Foods, Bounty and Dawn
LPK, Cincinnati Jan 2013 - 2014
Design Director
World’s largest employee owned brand design agency, servicing packaging and corporate identity developments.
•Represented the brand development capabilities of agency and managed the creative process from concept to finished design for clients in food, beverage, luxury, manufacturing, and hi-tech services industries as well as strategic pathways for the Michelman Chemical Company, SUNY University University of Cincinnati,
Al-Marai Juice Corporation
•Developed the brand vision, design asset management and brand architecture for the Simmons Beauty-Rest global business
•Launched 360º i-Q mattress line integrated global campaign, identity design, consumer touch-points,
BBDO, Middle East Jan 2008 - 2012
Head of Design
Full fledged DTC advertising agency based in Dubai and Beirut, serving the entire Middles East region, part of BBDO worldwide
•In charge of building and developing the internal brand design team for BBDO Middle East and MENA region
•Responsible for all internal and external creative including print collateral, interactive, web, events, packaging, graphics and branding
•Foster an environment of multidisciplinary collaboration to support above the line design support and development for global clients like Pepsi, Samsung, Audi, Dewars, and Al-Futaim
•Established department guidelines, presentation standards and individual growth opportunities for junior to mid-level design team
•Generated new regional clients and delivered on design excellence for variety of industries ranging from airlines, software companies, financial institutions, coffee brands, real estate, and restaurant chains
•Ensure the timely completion of projects and assignments by providing guidance to designers and seamlessly directing multiple projects.
Publicis Groupe SA, New York, NY Aug 2005 - 2007
Associate Creative Director
•Developed and maintained brand character, design collaterals and campaigns for Crest/Oral-B national and global accounts
•Collaborated with internal teams and vendors in the execution of campaigns as well as manage tight budgets and deadlines.
•Created global brand guidelines, implemented brand direction with partner agencies and external vendors.
TBWA Chiat Day, New York, NY Dec 2002 - 2005
Art Supervisor
New York based advertising firm, clients include Pfizer, UCB, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, McDonalds.
•Responsible for the creative duties and brand management on award winning campaigns for Frova, Chantix and On-Q medical device
•Oversaw new creative launch initiatives, successful new business pitch wins for Pfizer’s ARICEPT and CALMACTIN global advertising campaigns
•Assisted with strategy and execution of multi-channel campaigns
•Supervised all photo shoots and voiceover sessions to direct the production team and talent
EDUCATION
University Of Maryland BA in Fine arts September 1988 - June 1992 College Park, Maryland, United States
Pratt Institute M.P.S Design & Communications (Master of Professional Studies) September 1993 - May 1995 New York, New York, United States
LANGUAGES SKILLS
French (Fluent), Italian (Advanced), English (Native), Spanish (Conversational)
Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Photoshop, art directing, brand identity standards, brand identity design, corporate architecture development, packaging design, in-store experience design, strategy development, corporate design, concept direction, UX design, UI design, ideation sessions, illustration, interactive design, marketing strategy, packaging, photography, photo-shoot directing and storyboarding, typography, video directing, web design. American Citizen