
Creatively Strategic Thinker + Doer
Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Creatively Strategic Thinker + Doer
Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Versatile, award-winning artist with strong creative abilities and over 13 years of professional experience. Trained in design + art direction, with a passion for illustration + photography. Brings together communications expertise and a high degree of technical proficiency, balanced with an artist’s eye.
Develops the strategic marketing, brand standards, and identities of a wide range of clients, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Experienced with creating effective communications, customized for small + large project scopes and meeting each client's needs. This has enabled strong, long-lasting relationships working with ad agencies, design firms, corporate creative departments, as well as directly with domestic and international clients.
Passionate about design done well. Approachable and easy-going personality with a strong work ethic and a desire to collaborate. Thrives most when working at a high level, managing complex, multi-faceted, integrated projects and exceeding clients’ expectations. Strives to find the best customized approach by using timely problem solving and lateral thinking abilities. Possesses the proven leadership, communications, talent and work ethic necessary to become an invaluable asset on any project.
Illustration, Photography, Animation, Motion Graphics, Branding, Design, Interactive, Advertising, Marketing
(Non-Profit; Design industry)
July 2008 — Present (1 year 5 months)
Working to bring together associate and professional-level AIGA members. Also responsible for ensuring that the program is sustainable and meets the goals set by the committee + board of directors. http://mntorprogram.org/
(Partnership; Marketing and Advertising industry)
January 2006 — Present (3 years 11 months)
As the creative head of this virtual agency, Brent drives business development, project management and quality control. Oversees and manages the end-to-end creative network. He establishes the conceptual and stylistic direction of all projects, then orchestrates the work of designers, copywriters, developers, productions artists, photographers, illustrators, and printers involved in the development and execution. Brent works hand-in-hand with clients to deliver consistently high quality, winning results.
(Privately Held; Marketing and Advertising industry)
January 2006 — August 2008 (2 years 8 months)
Responsible for generating creative branding, collateral, Web sites and interactive + print advertising campaigns. Worked closely with clients, account managers and copywriters to scope projects and develop timelines. Responsible for managing internal designers and vendors, including photographers, printers and Web developers.
Clients
3M, Access Realty, Acclaim Benefits, Best Buy, Deluxe Corporation, Downtown Network, Dunham Engineering, Excel Bank, The Geneva Organization, Gesco Construction, HealthPartners, Leadership Foundations, McDonald's, MN Office of Higher Education, MNSCU, Northwest Airlines, Renewal by Andersen, Stanton Group
(Privately Held; Marketing and Advertising industry)
May 2005 — January 2006 (9 months)
Developed corporate identities, brands and communications. Concepted + produced print ads, Web sites, tradeshow displays and viral marketing campaigns. Organized an optimal and efficient internal workflow. Defined standards for workstation, server and network structure. Oversaw regular hardware/software maintenance, updates and data backups.
Clients
AdFed, Arizant Healthcare, Ferris Mfg., Moog Music, Nicros, Otto Bock, Salvation Army, SAP, UnitedHealth Group, VISI
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Graphic Design industry)
September 2003 — May 2005 (1 year 9 months)
Elevated the design department to a higher standard by improving both the quality of design and the design process. Worked directly with clients to enhance their strategic development by creating new company identities, brands, and producing print + interactive projects. Managed multiple concurrent jobs and ensured they were completed on-time and on-budget.
Clients
Access Genetics, Bridgewater Mortgage, Carstens Industries, Cyberensics, DAKA Docks + Lifts, Data Panel Systems, Estate Crafters, Gage Marketing, Gage Outdoor Expeditions, Inner City Tennis, LA Studios Photography, LS Black Constructors, Mediture, Northwest Respiratory Services, Polar Trailer, ProTainer, The Tile Shop, Wil-loc
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Medical Devices industry)
August 2000 — May 2003 (2 years 10 months)
Worked closely with an Editor, Developer, and 3D Animator in the CRM Interactive Department. Developed the Medtronic multimedia brand standards and refined them through consistent application while creating Web sites, and producing video + motion graphics for interactive CD-ROMs, DVDs, and kiosks.
(Graphic Design industry)
February 1999 — April 2001 (2 years 3 months)
Developed high-end motion graphics and 3D animations for film, broadcast, and internet delivery. Worked closely with all clients and managed daily business operations. Maintained a high level of quality while writing scripts, storyboarding, directing, editing, and supervising projects.
Clients
3M, 4design, Capsule, SnapTV (NBC/Valuevision), Target, Teachers Federal Credit Union, Twin Cities Public Television (TPT), University Film Society
(Graphic Design industry)
September 1997 — February 1999 (1 year 6 months)
Planned and implemented print + interactive marketing campaigns for a diverse range of industries. Created corporate identities, advertising, packaging, and promotional materials. Art directed photo shoots and maintained relationships with paper reps, print vendors, photographers, and illustrators to maximize cost-effective project production.
Clients
3M, Bachman's, Carlson Leisure Group, Chi Kung by Achieve, Empi, Fabcon, IBM, General Mills, Land O’ Lakes, MinuteClinic (QuickMedx), StepMate, Target, Tractech, Treasure Island Casino, Wagner Spraytech
(Self-Employed; Myself Only; Graphic Design industry)
August 1996 — September 1997 (1 year 2 months)
Built strong relationships with clients while working on-site, producing promotional materials, advertisements, catalogs, and packaging. Performed final pre-press + color correction on all projects and supervised all stages of printing, including reviewing proofs and attending press checks.
Clients
The Carney Group, Deluxe, General Mills, Medtronic,
Rae Harmel & Associates, Yamamoto Moss
BFA , Design + Fine Art , 1993 — 1996
Technology, movies, TV, food, music, cycling, inline skating, rock climbing, soccer, broomball, and RC trucks + boats.
AIGA, AdFed, Minnesota Film Arts, Tweed Museum, Walker Art Center
AdFed: The Show 2006
Digital Media / Corporate Promotion: SAP eLearning DVD
PBS
Best Station Identity 2001: Twin Cities Public Television Station Identity
COMMUNICATOR AWARD
Award of Distinction 2000: Chi Kung by Achieve Instructional Video
COMMUNICATOR AWARD
Honorable Mention 2000: StepMate Marketing Video
CORPORATE IDENTITY FIFTEEN
Award of Excellence 1999: Land O’ Lakes Chocolate Milk Package
GRAPHIC DESIGN: USA
American Graphic Design Award 1999: Land O’ Lakes Chocolate Milk Package
CREATIVE LOW BUDGET PUBLICATION DESIGN 1999
UMD Graduates Brochure
UMD Environmental Studies Brochure
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
AIGA Portfolio One-on-One 2002–2008: Reviewed students’ print + interactive portfolios.
Guinness World Record Holder 2002: Watched 28 movies continuously over 53 hours to raise funds for the Twin Cities Boys and Girls Clubs.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society – MS150 1998, 2004–2009: Bicycled 150 miles to raise funds to fight MS.