The Scripps Research Institute
Senior Designer & Brand Manager,
October 2021 – Present
Graphic Designer,
May 2017 – October 2021
Scripps Research has been ranked the #1 biomedical research institute in the U.S. and #2 in the world.
Providing creative team direction and visual brand management for graphic communications in a fast-paced and competitive environment, in support of initiatives for public health and biomedical research advancement.
- Managing various large initiatives simultaneously containing subprojects with different deadlines; contributing to pitch materials and supporting new organizational roll-outs.
- Maintaining close relationships with key stakeholders to ensure creative design deliverables follow project specifications; using project management software to keep stakeholders connected and aware of project deadlines.
- Overseeing the rollout of new visual brand from signage, website, social media channels and internal documents. Sourced, purchased and designed packaging for high-end donor gifts. Created an innovative environment for brand launch event that earned broad accolades.
- Collaborating with on-staff science writers to produce an award winning animated series, “Science, Simplified.”
- Organizing project workflow while empowering and leading a cross-functional creative team of both on-staff and contracted talent.
- Build out strategies for email marketing campaigns, organic follower on-boarding and user experience, resulting in double-digit expansion of the institute’s audience year-over-year.
- Hiring new on-staff designers and videographers. Bolstering on-staff team.
- Continue to identify and contract outsourced talent, such as photographers, designers and web developers, while adhering to project budgets; also responsible for hiring on-staff designers and videographers.
- Regularly procure vendors for print, product and apparel; also manage budget, purchase orders and campaign financial goals are met.
California State University San Marcos
Branding & New Media Director,
June 2014 – May 17
Visual Communication Specialist,
November 2010 – June 2014
California State University San Marcos is one of the fastest growing universities in California.
Promoted to Director to manage university branding initiatives and on-staff communication leads in various campus departments including athletics, fundraising, public relations, and student recreation.
- Quadrupled the funds raised at the Annual Gala via a thoughtful, creative approach to the event’s theme, invite and website design, décor and entertainment
- Increased out-of-state freshmen applications by 30% (2013-14 academic year) with a motivational student recruitment package
- Maximized the positive outcomes of campus-wide initiatives through collaboration with key stakeholders and creative print and web marketing materials
- Supported the university’s educational mission by developing and implementing a student internship program for photography, video production, social media and graphic design; mentored five to nine interns each semester
- Trained ~300 university employees on best practices for using visual identity media; collaborated with the athletics department to build their brand as they transitioned into the NCAA Division II
- Selected vendors, managed vendor relationships and RFI/RFP approvals
- Partnered with IT and web developers to create interface graphics of the university’s website and mobile app
The Upper Deck Company
E-Commerce Product Merchandiser,
January 2006 – October 2010
Personalized Trading Card Production Artist,
June 2004 – January 2006
Upper Deck is a globally recognized sports and entertainment company specializing in trading cards, games and memorabilia.
Marketed products for the UpperDeckStore.com utilizing both print and web graphics. Worked closely with Product Development and the fulfillment warehouse to manage the inventory of the online store. Interfaced with online customers and vendors and handled the fulfillment of Upper Deck Rewards Auctions and Personalized Trading Cards.
- Designed effective email campaigns, digital ads, direct mail and quarterly catalogs
- Completed two e-commerce site transitions plus full redesigns of web store graphics, including validation of completed site content and testing code
- Developed user-friendly interfaces for the online store using Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Commerce Server and Warp 9 ICS
- Managed product photo shoots for both the online store and product catalogs
- Created original designs for the Personalized Trading Card campaign then directed photographers while satisfying customer orders
- Coordinated the marketing calendar for the advertising and roll-out of new products tied to high-visibility events, such as the Super Bowl and NBA playoffs
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Freelance Graphic Designer (Part-Time), 2003 – Present
Currently providing graphic design services to corporate, small business and individual clients. Projects include developing logos and brand identity, creating responsive websites, preparing animated graphics for promotional videos, designing trade show displays and promotional print materials (such as postcards, flyers, brochures and magazine ads), as well as branded apparel.
Clients include Hutchinson & Bloodgood, La Jolla Immunology & Infectious Disease Consortium, The Collective Creative Agency, Surfing SD, Y Productions, Renegade Gaming, North County Jujitsu and One League for Everyone Soccer.
AWARDS
2022 Health Care Communications of Southern California; Bronze Prize, Magazine Category: Scripps Research Magazine
2020 San Diego Press Club; 1st Place: Animated Youtube Series – “Science, Simplified”
2020 Folio: Eddie and Ozzie Awards; First Place for Design of a Single Issue in the Nonprofit Category: Scripps Research Magazine – Spring/Summer Issue
2017 Far West District of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education; Bronze Award: President’s New Year Greeting Card
2015 Far West District of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education; Bronze Award: Steps Magazine – Spring/Summer Issue
2015 San Diego Press Club; 2nd Place: Steps Magazine – Spring/Summer Issue
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Strategic multi-channel marketing expertise: digital ads, social, video, email campaigns, magazines, brochures, direct mail
- Exceptional creative direction and efficient project management, including events
- Outstanding visual design aesthetics: typography, color, layout, brand identity
- Strong photography skills: portrait, architectural, event, product, behind camera or directing
- Expertise in web design (CSS, HTML5) and CMS (WordPress, Cascade, Drupal)
- Highly skilled in Adobe Creative Cloud; Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, etc.
- Always up on emerging technologies
- Proficient with project management systems (Asana, Slack, Wrike, Basecamp, Red Booth)
- Digital Asset Management (Image Relay)