Illinois State University, Normal, IL Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting
Experience
Senior Art Director | Brand & Campaigns Walgreens Co., Chicago, IL November 2023–Current
Senior Art Director | Content Studio & Film Walgreens Co., Chicago, IL January 2022–November 2023
Responsible for setting artistic direction for development of marketing campaigns.
Leading design of projects from concept to completion, assuring award-level creative work is executed and solves for data-driven marketing objectives.
Ensuring branding and design standards are consistent across Walgreens marketing communications.
Concepting creative expressions, original photography and other creative assets.
Coaching and mentoring designers on the team.
Partnering with external creative agencies to develop video, animation, and custom photography assets.
Evaluating portfolios and recommending the use of external vendors (i.e. photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, freelancers, etc.) and their use on various projects.
Reviewing and approving concepts, designs and artwork of art directors and designers.
Assisting with project planning through determining project scope, estimating time, resources needed, and managing internal details.
Presenting assignments to business area managers/leaders and peers.
Senior Graphic Designer | Social Media & Content Walgreens Co., Chicago, IL November 2019–January 2022
Lead art direction and design of Walgreens Content and Social Media creative.
Created new logo design for Walgreens in-house creative agency.
Designed new Walgreens content hub website.
Collaborated with creative directors, designers, art directors, copywriters, editors, internal and external producers, agencies, and internal stakeholders, including: brand marketing, clinical, legal, corporate communications, social media marketing, and content strategists.
Delivered strategy and data-driven content for Walgreens-owned channels, including: Walgreens website, myWalgreens app, social media, and YouTube.
Managed team of external production agency partners, including: producers, animators, editors, and designers.
Created, developed and executed quality designs by leading and managing art direction, design, photo / video production, storyboarding, stakeholder review and asset delivery.
Oversaw project development to ensure creative output aligns with strategy, brand, budget, and timelines.
Developed video production and social media design best practices.
Presented designs to creative leadership and marketing organization.
Partnered with project management to enhance project briefs, team processes, and workflow.
Graphic Designer Walgreens Co., Chicago, IL September 2017–November 2019
Partnered with copywriters, art directors, and creative leadership to develop strategy-driven creative solutions for Walgreens Social Media and Email Marketing.
Executed creative content from ideation to completion: brainstorming, art direction, design, photo and video production, animation, image retouching, stakeholder review, and final asset delivery.
Designed platform-specific social and email creative for seasonal campaign initiatives across all lines of business—primarily Health, Rewards, Beauty and Photo.
Collaborated with copywriters to develop video scripts, storyboards, and moodboards for video pre-production.
Led art direction and storyboarding for photo and video shoots.
Worked closely with external production partners and vendors (photographers, DPs, prop stylists, and hair and makeup artists) to create on-brand content that aligned with concepts and overarching campaign strategies.
Art Director Geometry Global, Chicago, IL April 2017–September 2017
Partnered with copywriters, art directors, creative leadership, account services, and strategy to develop shopper merchandising and campaigns for Dannon and Unilever brands
Developed visually compelling creative content for yogurt brands (Oikos, Light & Fit, Activia, and Danimals), as well as personal care products including Axe, Dove, Suave, and TRESemmé
Worked closely with Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Safeway retailers to develop retailer-specific displays and offers through their partnerships with Disney, National Football League (NFL) and Major League Soccer (MLS)
Created POS solutions specific to brand, retailer, and consumer
Presented creative concepts to external Dannon brand and retailer clients
Art directed and managed junior creative interns
Graphic Designer (Contractor) Walgreens Co. Digital Creative, Chicago, IL March 2016–April 2017
Partnered with copywriters, art directors, and creative leadership create innovative, engaging, and original content for Walgreens Social Medial, Email, and Website channels
Led, managed, and styled photo shoots to create custom photography for all Walgreens digital business units including Walgreens Photo, Health and Wellness, Email, Web and Social Media
Evolved the Walgreens digital presence by establishing brand standards and best practices for Walgreens social channels
Led an initiative to organize, archive, and manage digital assets on the Walgreens server
Trained myself to become proficient in digital animation and video editing using Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere
Associate Art Director PrairieFire Communications, Mt. Prospect, IL March 2011–March 2016
Developed design solutions from concept to production
Designed branded collateral such as brochures, fliers, posters, and Powerpoint presentations
Worked with design team to ensure visual communication was clear, effective and on brand
Collaborated with creatives and marketing team on national ad campaigns, tradeshows, and brand development
Skills
Art direction Visual Design Content creation Social media design Strategy development Video production Storyboarding Animation Illustration Photography
Programs
Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Lightroom Adobe Photoshop Adobe Premiere Adobe XD Microsoft Excel Microsoft Powerpoint Microsoft Teams Microsoft Word Miro Board ScreenFlow
