Chad Ison
Creative Guru • Gifted Designer • Brilliant Strategist • Ace Wordsmith
SUMMARY:
• 23+ years experience in the advertising and graphic design industry, including newspaper & magazine advertising, print & interactive collateral, business-to-business materials, print & packaging production, email & web design, and multimedia advertising.
• Creative Director — specializing in concept & strategy development, creation and implementation of branding guidelines and corporate identity. Inexhaustible commitment to finding successful solutions that generate results and increase sales. Proven ability to motivate and inspire creative team members to deliver superb creative work under tight deadlines.
• Art Director — proficient at cutting edge ideas and effectively communicating concepts with compelling copy and eye-catching images and designs.
• Author, publisher, editor, copywriter and strategist — accomplished at crystallizing ideas and writing informative copy and captivating headlines that grab readers by their hearts, minds, and sometimes...ticklish places.
• Photographer — skilled at providing perfectly exposed and composed photographic images, in both studio and on-location, day or night, still or action, using film or digital cameras.
EXPERIENCE:
Creative ADvantages
3507 Dogwood Circle East • LaGrange, KY 40031 • 502-241-8069
Freelance Graphic Designer (October 2007 – Present)
Provided consulting, design and production services to an array of clients. Built and maintained client relationships from the acquisition stage through project completion and implementation.
J&L Marketing, Inc.
2100 Nelson Miller Pkwy • Louisville, KY 40223 • 502-261-9292
Web Campaign Coordinator (June 28, 2010 – September 22, 2011)
Created and maintained web campaigns for automobile dealerships offering service clinics and sales events to a targeted audience. Produced personalized micro-sites that were designed to a specific auto manufacturer or dealership’s specific branding guidelines. Developed personalized URLs (Domain Names) that contained specific keywords that were targeted for search engine optimization, maximizing traffic — leading to greater sales and increased revenue. Other tasks included assisting with social networking, establishing online content, implementing website redesigns, organizing multiple projects, and keeping website info current.
TMP Worldwide Advertising & Communications, LLC
115 East Spring Street • New Albany, IN 47150 • 812-542-4100
Creative Director (July 15, 2005 – September 30, 2007)
Managed Express Creative Department and supervised a team of graphic designers, web & technical developers, copywriters and art directors. Developed reorganization and growth plans with branch hubs and regional creative centers to build teams in several divisions; grew the team from 3 people to 15. Worked with production department to insure and facilitate creation and preparation of high quality advertisements, collateral materials and interactive products. Met with clients and advertising representatives to obtain information for developing ad campaigns and making client presentations.
TMP Worldwide Advertising & Communications, LLC
Graphic Designer (November 1, 2001 – July 15, 2005)
Produced visual solutions to the communication needs of clients, using a mix of creative skills and commercial awareness. Developed the overall layout and production design of recruitment advertisements for magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports, and other publications using a wide range of media; including illustration, photography and computer aided design. Produced promotional displays, packaging, and marketing brochures for products and businesses.
Extremz Magazine & Extremz.com
119 South Hurstbourne Parkway • Louisville, KY 40222 • 502-327-7658
Owner / Publisher (February 1, 1995 – October 30, 2001)
Published a monthly hard-copy magazine and online webzine dedicated to extreme and alternative sports. Supervised freelance writers and photographers; acquired bids and assigned contracts to outside vendors for printing publication; wrote articles and photographed extreme sports events and athletes. Met with clients to secure advertising, develop ad campaigns and perform desktop design of publication.
Creative ADvantages
119 South Hurstbourne Parkway • Louisville, KY 40222 • 502-327-7658
Owner / Managing Director (November 12, 1990 – July 18, 1998)
Provided consulting, design and production services for local newspaper and magazine publications including: Today’s Woman (7 years), Job News (2 years), Louisville Nightlife (1 year). Responsible for design and layout of editorial content, photo placement, advertising, pagination, media kits and various collateral print pieces; while maintaining the consistency and integrity of each publication’s brand.
Watterson College
4400 Breckinridge Lane • Louisville, KY 40218 • 803-737-2287
Commercial Art Instructor / Computer Graphics Instructor (July 5, 1991 – December 20, 1992)
Taught college classes in Commercial Art, Advertising Design, and Basic & Advanced Computer Graphics (PageMaker, PhotoShop, FreeHand, Quark & Illustrator Programs).
Blairwood Health and Sport Club
9300 Blairwood Road • Louisville, KY 40222 • 502-426-8820
Art Director & Editor of Lifestyle Magazine (October 10, 1989 – November 12, 1990)
Managed budgetary needs, acquired bids and assigned contracts to outside contractors for Creative Department. Assigned and directed contract photographers and freelance writers; Responsible for design and layout of in-house 4-color magazine, t-shirts, posters, flyers, brochures, presentation folders, inserts, in-house and external advertising for the club.
Business First Newspaper
501 South Fourth Street • Suite 130 • Louisville, KY 40202 • 502-583-1731
Art Director (February 22, 1987 – October 8, 1989)
Met with clients and advertising representatives to obtain information for developing ad campaigns and making client presentations. Developed all in-house advertising and collateral material for publication. Illustrated covers and artwork for specialty magazines, insert sections and articles for editorial department.
SKILLS:
I have the experience of working within traditional firms as well as in-house. I understand the concept of marketing, retail, product development and merchandising as it relates to building a successful, integrated brand. I deliver the goods and make clients happy.
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY:
Working knowledge with MAC and DOS computers. Experienced with the following CreativeSuite 4 and desktop publishing software:
• QuarkXpress
• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• FreeHand
• ImageReady
• GoLive
• DreamWeaver
• Adobe Acrobat
• Microsoft Word
• PowerPoint
• Microsoft Excel
EDUCATION:
• Northern Campbell Technical, 90 Campbell Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41076
(Two year program – Graphic Art & Design / Graduated – Associate’s Degree)
• Eastern Kentucky University, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475
(Attended one year – Fine Arts Major)
• Grant County High School, 715 Warsaw Road, Dry Ridge, KY 41035
(4 years – Art Major / Graduated with diploma)
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS:
Who’s Who In Advertising
1st Place Award for brochure design in IRSA National Design Awards
2nd Place Award for magazine design in IRSA National Design Awards
Strathmore Graphics Gallery Design Award
REFERENCES:
References and creative samples available upon request
PORTFOLIO:
To view an online sample of my portfolio click on the link below:
http://www.wix.com/chadison/chad-ison-portfolio