5450 Flintstone Drive
Westerville, Ohio 43081
info@vickiology.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
June 2008 - Present
Senior Art Director
Fresh Games LLC of Columbus, Ohio
Oversee interactive design and web maintenance as well as all print design and advertising for Fresh Games casual gaming company. Successfully developed concept and designs for international trade shows.
May 2005 - January 2008
Senior Art Director
Retail Ventures Inc.
Successfully designed and developed store brand identity campaign and lead various departments in creative implementation strategies [Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Outside Vendors, Corporate Internet.] Assertive leadership resulted in significant savings by eliminating outside vendors in the model selection process; training art directors in negotiations and model selection; and developing a calendar allowing for overlapping of photography. Project leader on several highly successful advertising promotions, increasing sales in one area by 200% over the previous year. Lead in developing department processes and creating calendars for various advertising projects. Productivity was significantly increased and marketing teams were recognized for meeting deadline schedules, as well as performance and organizational excellence. Chosen as project leader on market test campaign to support new store philosophy. Conducted research and offered innovative ideas for various promotions. Designed and developed creative advertising to support campaigns. Results showed an increase in sales for test markets and customer interviews showed advertising campaign highly effective in reaching goals. Lead the department in switching to the latest computer software, saving time and money on design issues with printer and allowing for much more creativity.
September 1999 - May 2005
Senior Graphic Designer / Photo Art Director
May Department Stores
Conceptualized and created highly successful corporate graphic programs for print and web design. Recognized for most effective concepts in department design contest by senior management. Praised for innovative and dynamic project solutions, overseeing all aspects of design, photography [i.e. negotiating contracts, hiring talent, directing photography and print production] through to completion and implementation in 465 retail stores. Expert oral and written communication skills with various in-house departments [senior management, merchandising, advertising, visual merchandising, broadcast, human resources, corporate communications and outside vendors] in determining graphic needs and following through with all areas of project development.
September 1995 - September 1999
Senior Graphic Coordinator
May Department Stores
Recognized by senior management as a trustworthy person for special projects, successfully overseeing all project development through to completion. Recommended strategic changes to save department expenses by bringing the Foundation Annual Report design in-house. Concepts and designs were recognized for being innovative and highly effective, resulting in clients requesting design work for other outside projects. Partnered with outside design agency to create and produce award-winning annual reports and design collateral. Chosen to lead and maintain in-house digital photography studio.
September 1990 - September 1995
Graphic Design Supervisor
Gateway Apparel Inc.
Recognized for design excellence and leadership qualities resulting in a promotion to manage junior graphic designers and freelancers. Negotiated contracts for photography and printing services with outside vendors, significantly reducing internal department costs.
Graphic Design Client List of Vicki L. Dixon