Highly adaptable and passionate Creative with a knack for taking charge of diverse projects. Equally comfortable collaborating in teams or working independently, with a deep understanding of brand mechanics. Proficient in digital, print, studio and video direction, adept at managing multiple brands simultaneously. Known for championing projects and embracing challenges. Excited to contribute creativity and drive to your team
WORK EXPERIENCE
MACY’S INC • New York, New York, United States • 12/2017 - Present
Specialist Art Director/Senior Art Director
• Ensure promotional events and promotions adhered to Macy's brand guidelines and standards
• Develop and implement strategies to maintain brand consistency across all marketing materials and communication channels
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to brainstorm and develop creative concepts that effectively convey brand messages and engage audiences
• Oversee on-set direction and provide feedback to ensure adherence to the established art direction and brand standards
• Lead the art direction and storyboarding process for video shoots, ensuring alignment with the overall brand aesthetic and messaging for both "always on" market and seasonal campaigns
• Foster a collaborative and creative work environment, encouraging open communication, idea-sharing, and cross-functional collaboration among team members
• Supervise and mentor a small team of designers, providing guidance, feedback, and support to ensure the successful execution of projects across digital, print, and video platforms
• Help drive the talent casting process for photoshoots, selecting photographers, stylists, and models to ensure alignment with the brand's aesthetic and vision
Macys Merchandising Group • New York, New York, United States • 02/2006 - 12/2017
Senior Art Director
• Spearheaded the development of comprehensive multi-channel views for Macy's largest private label brands, ensuring consistency and alignment across various touchpoints and platforms
• Led the talent casting process for social media campaigns and partnerships, ensuring the selection of influencers, ambassadors, and collaborators aligned with brand values and campaign objectives
• Collaborated closely with creative teams, photographers, stylists, and talent to conceptualize and execute visual concepts that resonated with the target audience and effectively communicated brand messaging
• Assisted in brainstorming sessions and concept development, contributing ideas and insights to enhance the overall creative direction and messaging of campaigns
• Identified and recruited top creative freelancers and outside vendors to support various projects and campaigns, ensuring the selection of talent that aligned with project requirements and budget constraints
• Presented creative concepts, mood boards, and mock-ups to merchants to secure buy-in and approval for product designs, assortments, and merchandising strategies
Art Director
• Contributed to the development and upkeep of multi-channel perspectives for Macy’s largest private label brands, ensuring consistency and coherence across various platforms
• Partnered in the presentation and selection process of models and photographers for various projects, ensuring alignment with brand aesthetics and objectives
• Provided art direction for photo shoots specifically tailored for social media platforms
• Established an impactful social media presence for Macy’s private label key brands and developed comprehensive best practices to guide the company's social media strategy
Self Employed • New York City Metropolitan Area • 05/2005 - 02/2006
Art Director/Prop Stylist
• Designed, visualized, and conceptualized projects for various mediums including publications, advertisements, photo shoots, styling, and photo retouching
• Developed creative concepts and designed props for magazine articles, as well as contributed to set decorations for various editorial shoots
• Managed the selection process for models, stylists, and photographers, ensuring alignment with project objectives and brand aesthetics
• Directed the artistic vision and execution of photo shoots
CLIENT LIST: Avon, Barnes & Noble, Bon Appétit, Euro RSCG Magnet, Grey, Hallmark Magazine, Halloween Celebrations Magazine, HOME, Kraft Food, Life & Style Weekly, Macy’s, PepsiCo, Reader’s Digest, Ty Pennington at Home, Velcro, Wacoal America Inc, Wendy’s
Scott Kay, Inc. • New York City Metropolitan Area • 05/2003 - 05/2005
Art Director
• Played a key role in the successful launch of Scott Kay Sterling, setting it apart from competitors and establishing its unique position in the marketplace
• Led the rebranding effort for Scott Kay Platinum, positioning the brand as the premier authority in platinum jewelry and solidifying Scott Kay's reputation as the "King of Platinum"
• Established and managed the in-house photo studio, overseeing both photographers and the retouching team to ensure high-quality output and efficient workflow
• Oversaw a team of photographers and designers, guiding their efforts to achieve project goals and maintain high standards of creativity and quality
EDUCATION
BFA in Studio Art & Design
Youngstown State University
VOLUNTEERING & LEADERSHIP
MACORE (Mayor's Advisory Council on Racial Equity) • 01/2024 - Present
LGTBQ+ Group Leader • Leonia, NJ
Adas Emuno KnitWits • 01/2022 - Present
Chairperson • Leonia, NJ
Leonia PRIDE Committee • 01/2021 - Present
Chairperson • Leonia, NJ
SKILLS
Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe XD, Advertising, Art, Art Direction, Brand Development, Branding, Brand Management, Clear Communications, Communication, Concept Development, Creative Concept Design, Creative Direction, Creative Problem Solving, Digital Photography, Fashion, Graphic Design, Illustrator, Image Manipulation, InDesign, Layout, Leadership, Mac, Microsoft teams, Microsoft Word, Photography, Photo Shoots, Sketching, slack, Social Media, Styling, Timelines, any kind of music, baking, birds, cats, classical music, dogs, jazz music, knitting, live theater, monarchs, piano, quilts, travel