Hey, I'm Lee
Accomplished experience in combining formal education, specialized training, and direct application on both Mac and PC platforms with excellent qualifications in Art Directing Graphic Design. Possess outstanding written / verbal communication and organizational skills, interacting well with individuals at all levels and from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. Self-motivated and team, goal, and detail-oriented. Resourceful and adaptable, performing responsibilities calmly, quickly, and accurately in fast-paced environments.
SKILLS / EXPERIENCE
Art Direction | Organization | Project Planning | Project Management | Strategic Planning | Marketing Strategy | Graphic Design | Branding | Logo Design | Desktop Publishing | Page Layout | Mac & PC Platforms | Web Design | Experience Design | Digital Marketing | Email Marketing | Social Media | HTML Coding | Videography | Video Editing | Video Production | Motion Graphics | Digital Photography | Photo Retouching | Illustration | Drawing | Painting | Airbrushing | Adobe CC | Photoshop | Illustrator | Indesign | Premier Pro | After Effects | Adobe XD
Art Direction | Organization | Project Planning | Project Management | Strategic Planning | Marketing Strategy | Graphic Design | Branding | Logo Design | Desktop Publishing | Page Layout | Mac & PC Platforms | Web Design | Experience Design | Digital Marketing | Email Marketing | Social Media | HTML Coding | Videography | Video Editing | Video Production | Motion Graphics | Digital Photography | Photo Retouching | Illustration | Drawing | Painting | Airbrushing | Adobe CC | Photoshop | Illustrator | Indesign | Premier Pro | After Effects | Adobe XD
Fluidmaster INC. , San Juan Capistrano, CA | 2018 — 2019
Global brand specializing in toilet repair parts that has been the leader in their industry for over 60+ years.
Global brand specializing in toilet repair parts that has been the leader in their industry for over 60+ years.
Supervisor, Graphic Design | Marketing
Managed and directed a team of 2 artists plus in-house photographer to design/produce packaging for 100+ SKUs world-wide, print advertising, digital marketing and social media.
Managed and directed a team of 2 artists plus in-house photographer to design/produce packaging for 100+ SKUs world-wide, print advertising, digital marketing and social media.
- Put a project management system in in place to create a more efficient workflow and better tracking for the marketing team as a whole. Also implemented a project tier system into the workflow, allowing for better deadline organization.
- Researched, presented and led implementation of a Digital Asset Management system to better organize Marketing documents, images and packaging. Aiding internal clients to find assets they need when opening marketing requests.
- Led initiative to take current packaging and re-design it to simplify messaging for consumers and showcase the product more effectively for a better in-store experience.
- Formed strong relations with key internal clients and held regular meetings to develop/maintain healthy relationships across the organization.
- Created and led a weekly innovation meeting with participation from marketing, sales, sourcing/merchandising and tech services teams.
- Responsible for creating a strong visual brand for Fluidmaster PRO Series products that was focus-group tested and resonated well with the professional plumbers and wholesale groups that were being marketed to.
- Led initiative to improve product images on packaging and digital marketing assets by working with the Marketing VP to acquire the necessary photography equipment and training for in-house photographer.
- Spearheaded large-scale project for shooting, toning and clipping product for new packaging creations to be sold in UK Kingfisher superstores.
Kelley Blue Book / Cox Automotive , Irvine, CA | 2010 — 2017
Atlanta-based business unit of Cox Enterprises, formed in 2014 to consolidate Cox's global automotive businesses, including Kelley Blue Book, Xtime, Autotrader.com, and Manheim.
Atlanta-based business unit of Cox Enterprises, formed in 2014 to consolidate Cox's global automotive businesses, including Kelley Blue Book, Xtime, Autotrader.com, and Manheim.
Assistant Art Director/Lead Graphic Designer | Creative Studios
Led in-house team of 4 designers and empowered creation of engaging marketing / branding campaigns for internal and external clients from conception to production in social media, web, email, 4-color / 1-color print and video editing processes.
Led in-house team of 4 designers and empowered creation of engaging marketing / branding campaigns for internal and external clients from conception to production in social media, web, email, 4-color / 1-color print and video editing processes.
- Created accolade logos and branding materials for Kelley Blue Book’s “Best Buy Award” and “Best Resale Value Award” that are currently being used on national television for OEM manufacturers such as Chevrolet, Subaru, Hyundai, Toyota and Ford where the KBB.com’s Best Resale Value Award logo was the feature point of Ford’s F-150 truck commercial.
- Achieved following national awards: Graphic Design USA In-House Awards 2015 & 2016 / Best email, poster and Marketing print campaign.
- Gained trust by leadership with company’s most important internal clients to implement fresh new design for Tier 1 projects that had multiple deliverables, due to effective design and efficient time-management.
- Recognized for strong knowledge of software, design principals and business goals. Leadership was comfortable delegating lead role on important projects with minimal supervision.
- Spear headed video creation and editing for monthly Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive sales training staff. Videos were distributed nationally to automotive retailers as well as creation of annual manufacturing award videos and in-house executive team announcements.
- Worked with both KBB and Cox UX teams to develop simplified design for KBB.com and Flexdrive mobile apps resulting in general ease-of-use and powerful consumer experience from their mobile devices.
- Created and laid out multi-page publications for internal sales and external promotional use. Some publications created used die-cut templates, special papers or printing features.
The Orange County Register, Santa Ana, CA
Paid daily newspaper. Published in Anaheim and owned by Digital First Media. Freedom Communications owned newspaper from 1935 to 2016.
Paid daily newspaper. Published in Anaheim and owned by Digital First Media. Freedom Communications owned newspaper from 1935 to 2016.
Senior Graphic Designer | Marketing Jan. 2004 — May 2008
Brought on to Marketing design team for quality of personal work to be represented on broader publishing scale working with highly visible companies.
Brought on to Marketing design team for quality of personal work to be represented on broader publishing scale working with highly visible companies.
- Art Directed Orange County Home Magazine for 8 months, designing and directing magazine staff on ad placement to story layouts. Met daily with in-house business partners to discuss creative briefs, formulate creative strategies, and design / develop effective advertising and communication for publication.
- Received California Newspaper Advertising Executives Association (CNAEA) — Best Special Section Publication Award in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007: Special sections included “Pool&Spa”, “Best of OC”, “Holiday Guide”, “Golf Extra” and “OC Home.”
- Designed and laid out company’s “crown jewel” publication, “The Best of OC” which was 200+ page publication sent out to residents showcasing the best in Entertainment and Dining.
- Sat on The Orange County Register’s brand counsel (team comprised of people from various organizational divisions that ensured all company branding was being executed properly.)
Graphic Designer | Advertising 1999 — 2004
Created impactful designs to highlight advertisers who ran campaigns in newspaper or special publications.
Created impactful designs to highlight advertisers who ran campaigns in newspaper or special publications.
- Collaborated with sales teams across multiple industries (Real Estate, Travel, Entertainment, Dining, Home Décor), creating effective advertising that closely followed customers’ brand strategies.
- Empowered by Advertising Director to compose and implement design tests to 30+ artists, ensuring all were staying current and relevant with design techniques and knowledge of software being used.
- Led multiple presentations to team’s 30+ artists, showcasing tips and tricks for more efficient design and color calibration for photography use in ads.
EDUCATION
BA, Bachelor of Arts - California State University, Fullerton, CA | Major concentration: Graphic Design, Minor concentration: Music
AA, Associate of Arts - Rancho Santiago Community College, Orange, CA | Concentration: Liberal Arts
AA, Associate of Arts - Rancho Santiago Community College, Orange, CA | Concentration: Liberal Arts
AWARDS / RECOGNITION
- Graphic Design USA In-House Design Award 2016 - Best Print Campaign
Received award for creating a fresh graphical look that was carried across multiple print marketing materials to be for dealers at auction facilities nationwide. - Graphic Design USA In-House Design Award 2015 - Best Poster
Created poster design for “Can-struction” event / contest where employees designed art pieces with dry goods and food to donate to local shelter. - Graphic Design USA In-House Design Award 2015 - Best Email
Designed email for general consumers who signed up to be on Kelley Blue Book’s email list to preview up-and-coming vehicles, auto shows and recall information. - CNAEA — Best Special Section Publication 2007
Best of Orange County Publication - CNAEA — Best Special Section Publication 2006
Orange County Home Magazine Publication - CNAEA — Best Special Section Publication 2005
Golf Extra Publication - CNAEA — Best Special Section Publication 2004
Pool & Spa Publication - CNAEA — Best Special Section Publication 2003
Holiday Guide Publication
COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
- Volunteer, Ronald McDonald House of Orange County
Prepare meals and clean for families busy taking care of sick children and running to hospital. - Volunteer, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
Clean and harvest live crops that have been planted to bring fresh food to families in financial duress.