Gus Nicklos

Versatile Graphic Designer with 10 years of working in logo/icon creation, font design and international branding. Definitive and informed typography with elegant/mindful solutions.

Gus Nicklos’s Specialties:

GRAPHIC DESIGNER • VECTOR SPECIALIST • TYPOGRAPHER • BRAND STRATEGIST • ADVERTISING

Gus Nicklos’s Experience

Designer

HERENOW Creative Network

(Design industry)

November 2009 — Present (1 month)
INSTRUCTOR

PACIFIC NORTHWEST COLLEGE OF ART

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

February 2009 — Present (10 months)

Introduction to Typography II and Graphic Design and Visual Communication. Developed syllabus, curriculum and in-class exercises to inspire the creative process and implementation of functional design. Create and manage student projects and workload to optimize impact and retention.
SENIOR DESIGNER

TOTEM UK

(Design industry)

June 2004 — Present (5 years 6 months)

Understood the opportunity in green branding before it was a buzzword. Clever branding and advertising solutions – from renaming and brand auditing to corporate deliverables and advertising campaigns. Managed a global schedule between Portland, Oregon and London, England via Skype meetings and transatlantic air travel. Identified brand ethos and cleverly introduced back into brand elements (for example: A ticketing company turned unused tickets in to matchbooks).

SELECTED CLIENT LIST: In Ticketing, Giveware, The Hub, City of Cambridge and Motif Tiles.
CREATIVE

GUS NICKLOS STUDIO

(Design industry)

August 2001 — Present (8 years 4 months)

Built strong and dependable client base, crucial to success in freelance field. Designed logos, identities, typography, full font families, icons, album art work, websites, brochures and presentations. Stylistic adaptability demonstrated by projects in music, athletics, fashion and fast food industries. Managed business finances, finding work, personal brand identity and networking at social events.

SELECTED BRAND PROJECTS: Farcak Guitars, Oblation Creative, GREC, Jantzen, Tacone, Portland Center Stage, Atrium Workers Compensation, Skylab Architects, RSA Independent, Contraband Music Group and Change The World Music.

SELECTED FONT DESIGN PROJECTS: Adidas (adiHaus), Nike (Victory, Victory Neue & Futbol), Starbucks (Starbucks Black & Holiday 2006), Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS Slab Serif), Portland (used for Newsweek rebrand) and Maunst LQ (used for Vinton Studios rebrand).
MUSICIAN/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

THE MEDIAM LLC

(Music industry)

July 2001 — Present (8 years 5 months)

As a singer in a band, I have first hand experience at “living” a brand. Survival means recognizing opportunities and seizing them. From the first show in a dive-bar to thousands in attendance at Warped Tour and 101 KUFO's Rockfest, I understand the D.N.A. of a brand because I’ve engineered it. I wrote the music, sang it, designed album and web art, written press, promoted tours, performed, talked to new fans, driven the van around the country, showcased for major labels, made many mistakes and learned from them.
PROJECT MANAGER

SUBTEXT MEDIA

(Real Estate industry)

June 2006 — April 2008 (1 year 11 months)

Reinvented retirement facility in bankruptcy by turning it into a low-income senior apartment building. From concept to profitability, I managed employees, met with city officials, handled press,
accounting, created brand, marketing strategy, developed direct mail campaign and acted as proxy to owner.
DESIGNER

DIGNZI International Brand Consultancy

(Design industry)

November 2003 — September 2005 (1 year 11 months)

Lead designer for various projects including 550 production ready pieces for a fast food chain, Medinge Group and album art for Parlophone artist Dr. John.
TYPOGRAPHY TEACHER

CHEMEKITA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

January 2004 — June 2004 (6 months)

Taught second year typography while department head was on sabbatical. Developed curriculum, managed student goals, worked within school system and registered final grades.
Graphic Design Instructor

Chemeketa Community College

(Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry)

2002 — 2002 (less than a year)
MT. HOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Mt. Hood Community College

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

September 1998 — October 2001 (3 years 2 months)

Designed official material: marketing, newspaper adverts, t-shirts, programs, presentations, annual reports, internal documents, sub-brands and event programs.

Gus Nicklos’s Education

The Art Institute of Portland

Web Design & Interactive Media 2009 — 2011 (expected)

Activities and Societies:

Society of Nerds and Internet Concepts
Mt. Hood Community College

Graphic Design, Anthropology, Archiology 1999 — 2001

EXCAVATION, via UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA; STYMPHALIA, GREECE — 2001
Member of the excavation of Ancient Stymphalia. Responsibilities: carefully removed micro levels of stone and soil, recognized significant details as small portions were uncovered, observed personal health and the health of others in 110 degree heat.
Savannah College of Art and Design

Graphic Design, Art History 1996 — 1998

During sophomore year was advised by professor to drop out and take internship at magazine or agency.

Activities and Societies:

2 year varsity member of Golf team

Additional Information

Gus Nicklos’s Websites:

Gus Nicklos’s Interests:

Hellenic Mythology, Design, Theory, Melody, Blazers, Packers, Golf, Fashion and Technology. I'd like to broaden my skill set and experience with new and challenging projects.