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Creative Director Resume Samples
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0-5 years of experience
Co-wrote business plan for design services company focused on developing cutting-edge e-learning and training solutions for Fortune 1000 companies.
- Developed firm’s initial pitch offerings and brand story based on qualitative market analysis which directly led to winning multi-year contracts worth upwards of $2.5 million.
- Recruited national design talent and successfully built an award-winning team, growing from 2 to 20 within two years.
- Aligned creative functions and developed “pod” system for producing multi-disciplinary creative work that supported strategic plans within a fast-paced start-up environment.
- Negotiated and managed all vendor and supplier relationships with an internal budget of +$250,000.
- Consistently led firm’s communication and presentation efforts with client-side C-level executives that facilitated strong project management and prioritized client’s strategic goals.
- Directed creative management and developed a strong incentive-based working environment that achieved average project profit margins of 35%.
0-5 years of experience
Designed all material in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign used across all social media, web, website and merchandise platforms including t-shirts, stickers, sweaters, web advertisements, product pictures, model photography, and all creative requirements or opportunities.
- Created public relations plans to increase brand recognition, contracts, sales and general exposure within the atheist and secular community.
- Managed all social media platforms; results include increase of 3,000 likes on Facebook page over the course of three months, 700 followers on Instagram over the course of one month, and 350 new followers on Twitter over the course of three months.
- Wrote and produced radio advertisement for [company name] airing regularly on three major podcasts.
- Since joining, sales have increased 10% and production costs have decreased 2%, 7 new contracts with authors, podcasts and television channels have been signed.
- Secured 1-year contract generating $170 per design plus 5% per sale with Ockham Publishing to be designated designer for book covers.
0-5 years of experience
Drove all aspects of creative experience design ensuring delivery of creative at the quality level of the highly recognized and successful Target brand.
- Directed 4 creative managers and a roster of award-winning agencies to create rich, rewarding experiences that were both strategic and brand-right.
- Monitored social media, identified a need for a consolidated coupon experience with clear coupon policy. Took idea from concept to launch in 1 quarter.
- Oversaw redesign of in-store signage for Pets department and Target Café
- Managed estimates, budgets and media spend
- Led the highly successful Fall 09 Pharmacy campaign, Target Pharmacy and Health department sales (in-store and online) were up as much as 200% year-over-year, in a tough retail sales environment
6-10 years of experience
Responsible for the design, art direction and management of all the company’s product lines, including greeting cards, calendars, and stationery items. Managed all aspects of development including design planning, art direction, editorial, lettering, color separations, and press approvals.
- Served as creative director and product manager for the company’s 2,000-unit product line. Responsible for design, editorial and new product development.
- Wrote and/or edited copy for the majority of product lines.
- Supervised graphic designers, an art director and support personnel.
- Managed the work of freelance artists and outside design services.
- Dramatically reduced average art cost up to 75% by aggressively utilizing cost effective outside resources and repurposing existing designs.
- Created and supervised production of printed materials in support of product awareness, brand identity and sales.
0-5 years of experience
Run and manage the operation and administration of a rapidly growing hospitality firm
- Develop, organize and execute innovative menus, service plans, event schedules, and budgets for discerning
- Build and maintain vendor relationships through networking and referrals.
- Hired, supervised, and motivated a staff of 10 to increase their efficiency; ensured staff was well-versed regarding clients’ requirements and expectations in compliance to Rhode Island health standards and “Delsie Core Values”
- Developed strong customer base of new and existing clients by maintaining customer satisfaction and quality
- Maintained client database of all clients served; maintained records and databases regarding budget and costs
- Assisted the Executive Chef in menu planning and food production for events of 2-1200 guests
- Designed, coordinated and maintained all marketing collateral including the renovation of a premier website valued at $10,000
6-10 years of experience
Supervised direction of overall strategic vision; shaped and guided creative paths
- Managed full creative teams and multiple partners/vendors; responsible for all budgeting and scheduling of client
- Supervised new business efforts, outreach and implementation
- Cultivated an environment of mentoring and support; increased staff from two to 25 and developed a portfolio of 35 full-time clients
- Clients included 16 Handles, Canyon Ranch, Spin NY, Capella, MNS Real Estate, Gray Line, One Brooklyn Bridge
0-5 years of experience
Established an in-house advertising department to handle consumer promotions/catalogs
- Worked closely with Purchasing and Sales Department Directors
- Maintained authenticity of brand with campaigns that moved consumers to action
- Designed and directed trade and consumer advertising campaigns
- Developed, maintained and updated all corporate communications
- Created new consumer packaging for all five proprietary brands
- Championed developmental efforts for new products and line extensions
0-5 years of experience
Collaborated on the development of new concepts for TWISTER and NERF, along with other games.
- Designed artwork for CD/DVD covers, print media, promotional pieces and logos for new games.
- Created screenshots and wireframes for digital and mobile games.
- Built and maintained websites and social networking sites.
- Wrote press releases and content for websites, print and other media.
- Produced and edited movie trailers.
0-5 years of experience
Collaborated on the development of new concepts for TWISTER and NERF, along with other games.
- Designed artwork for CD/DVD covers, print media, promotional pieces and logos for new games.
- Created screenshots and wireframes for digital and mobile games.
- Built and maintained websites and social networking sites.
- Wrote press releases and content for websites, print and other media.
- Produced and edited movie trailers.
0-5 years of experience
Established direction for and coordinated development of all projects produced for agency clients.
- Managed 115-member creative staff, including six creative directors, seven associate creative directors and three copy supervisors.
- Directed all creative efforts devoted to business development for the agency.
- Orchestrated mentoring and career development efforts for staff.
- Served on senior management team responsible for agency’s fiscal and operational accountabilities.
0-5 years of experience
Producer of over 100 videos for the web from conception through post-production.
- Negotiated partnerships for web content with various professional platforms.
- Creator of critically acclaimed content featured in THE TODAY SHOW, THE HUFFINGTON POST, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, RAW
- Developed award-winning comedy web series.
- Produced, directed and served as head writer for over 16 live comedy shows in venues such as the PIT, the DUPLEX, STAGE 72, and the
10+ years of experience
Led all creative efforts for more than a decade, managing the design team in support of major Consumer Package Goods manufacturer in the grocery retail space. Worked closely with agency leadership to develop retainer relationship, communicate with client, and grow business. Clients included General Mills, Newell Rubbermaid, Mizuno, and Glock.
- Oversaw creative deliverables for multi-million dollar Fortune 100 account
- Was responsible for delivery of creative for more than 10,000 programs for every major grocery retailer
- Developed custom campaigns across national retailers to align with both client and their customer goals
- Directed the design of campaigns across traditional and digital platforms
- Managed studio design team responsible for delivering more than 1,500 retailer projects annually
0-5 years of experience
Responsible for the Creative Direction of all product design, new product
development, packaging, trade show design, marketing materials, B2C and B2B
web sit es, and social media. Managed staff of 15, as many as 40 during seasonal
surges. Responsible for annual budget and P&L. R eported directly to the Board
- Invented the Designer Address Stamp, which launched a $25 million market
- Designed packaging that broke the personalization barrier for national
- Created a proprietary digital art automation system that reduced art
Creative Director Duties and Responsibilities
Job duties for creative directors differ widely based on their employer, but there are several core responsibilities that are the same for all creative directors:
Lead Projects Creative directors lead projects from brainstorming to execution. After delegating tasks to various teams, they spend much of their time supervising processes, giving feedback as necessary, and implementing systems to maximize efficiency. It’s their job to make sure that deadlines are followed throughout the project and the final output meets standards.
Develop Solutions Creative directors are responsible for developing content and design solutions to help companies or individuals improve their marketing and promote their brand. This eventually takes the form of a proposal backed by industry and client research, and they may make several revisions as requested by the client before proceeding with execution.
Build Team Culture Going beyond overseeing people, creative directors act as mentors who build team culture and nurture skill and motivation in individuals. They may conduct training sessions or coaching, and they also handle some aspects of human resources, such as recruitment, performance evaluation, and promotion recommendations.
Strengthen Branding One of the major responsibilities of a creative director is strengthening their company’s branding. They must develop a cohesive brand story that all aspects of the company resonate with, then convey this during external communication efforts. In addition, they contribute to public relations, representing the company at speaking engagements, panels, and other events.
Coordinate with Clients and Vendors As the client’s main line of communication for specific projects, creative directors ascertain requirements, pitch concepts, and coordinate with the client to complete the project successfully. Through excellent service, they can build a strong network of recurring clients. On the vendor side, creative directors may recruit and manage freelancers and suppliers for support.
Creative Director Skills and Qualifications
Creative directors possess business acumen as well as thorough knowledge of the design process. They excel equally in ideation and execution, and they are comfortable taking on a leadership role. Employers look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree related to design or advertising and the following skills:
- Marketing and design expertise – since they provide direction in design and marketing, creative directors must have a high level of expertise in both of these areas. Among other tasks, they must be proficient at developing branding, evaluating designs, and launching and tracking marketing campaigns
- Project management – creative directors are organized leaders with a track record of successfully implementing projects from start to finish. Aside from supervising team members, they optimize overall workflow and solve roadblocks
- Innovative thinking – the success of a project depends heavily on the concept, so creative directors must come up with innovative, out-of-the-box ideas that align with the client’s goals and branding
- Interpersonal skills – creative directors maintain positive relationships with clients, encouraging two-way communication and doing their best to fulfill requests. They also work well with the teams they manage
- Presentation skills – because creative directors often present proposals and status reports to clients or stakeholders, they must be excellent communicators who can speak confidently both one-and-one and in group settings
Creative Director Education and Training
Most employers prefer creative directors with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, advertising, marketing, communications, or a related field. However, the main determinant they look for is experience. Since this is a senior position, most creative directors have a diverse portfolio as well as more than seven years of experience in design or marketing, with proven skill in management. Beyond project briefings, on-the-job training is minimal since creative directors are already experts in their field, but they may receive access to learning opportunities such as courses and workshops.
Creative Director Salary and Outlook
According to PayScale, creative directors earn a median annual salary of $86,000. Earners at the bottom 10 percent make less than $46,000, while those at the top 10 percent make more than $150,000. The large gap is due to performance-based bonuses and profit-sharing. Research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that art directors, a role that closely resembles creative director, have a projected job growth of 5 percent through 2026. A notable trend in the industry is the shift from traditional to digital media. Less jobs will be available in publishing, and the focus will be increasingly on web and mobile platforms.
Helpful Resources
Refer to the resources below to learn more about the career path of creative directors:
Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration – written by the cofounder of Pixar, this business book comes with recommendations from the New York Times, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. It describes in detail how Pixar cultivated a company culture that encourages the creative process, revealing insights that can be applied to other businesses
Creative Bloq – geared toward artists and designers, this website is a source of both creative inspiration and information about industry trends. Curated lists of outstanding designs make up most of the content, but it also regularly publishes instructional and news articles
Herding Tigers: Be the Leader That Creative People Need – the transition from maker to leader is hardly smooth, especially since most creatives are nonconformists and conventional management advice doesn’t always work. To address that, this book provides a concrete strategy through which leaders can bring out the best in their creative teams
Design & Art Direction – D&AD is a worldwide community of creatives in the design and advertising fields. It offers prestigious yearly awards, hands-on masterclasses, and diverse case studies
Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen – creative directors who want to improve their marketing skills can consult this book. It presents a paradigm-changing method to help businesses better connect with clients, as inspired by storytelling principles
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Last edited by: Gabriela Barcenas, CPRW, Content Writer II -
Gabriela Barcenas
CPRW, Content Writer IIGabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and career adviser. With 10 years of digital media experience and five years of resume writing expertise, her publication history includes fashion, education, travel, social justice, equitable design and career advice.
