Cedarburg, WI 53012 |414-807-5142 | elliott.craig1@gmail.com | ce-create-design.com

Areas of Expertise

Creative Strategy and Design Process Evolution | Content Development

Employee Development | Process Improvement | Consumer Insights

Visual Strategy | Brand Positioning | Collaborative Communicator

Omni-Channel | Storytelling | Team Leadership/Mentoring

Professional Experience

Kohl’s, Menomonee Falls, WI 2002 – February 2020

Photo Art Director

Corporate, | January 2009 – February 2020

Developed the visual strategy and creative direction for in store marketing, direct mail, social media, video &

digital.

● Collaborated with the Creative Director, Photographer and channel Art Directors to deliver products

aligned with strategic marketing intent and branding goals resulting building new revenue streams.

● Integrated product strategies and consumer insights to build the creative vision for the Sonoma brand

relaunch, increasing store comp sales by two percent.

● Co-authored the seasonal voice of the Sonoma brand that transcended into the master brand

positioning statement and designed and produced various print collateral pieces, including the Sonoma

Outdoors catalogs, the Spring Shoe and Handbag mailers and gift cards.

● Lead art director for Back-to-School (2017). Developed photo strategy which spoke to key seasonal

trends for Back-to-School. Presented seasonal concepts to align with creative leadership on content

execution resulting in positive comp store sales.

● Lead art director for Simply Vera Vera Wang off figure seasonal photo content.

● Developed the photo direction and production specifications that aligned marketing and brand

objectives for multiple monthly omni-channel campaigns.

● Built relationships with the merchants to curate new and exciting product stories that were on trend

while still supporting Kohl’s marketing objections and its customers.

● Worked closely with creative leadership to ensure business objectives and creative direction is met as

well as establishing strong communication and partnerships in and outside the marketing organization.

● Presented concepts to marketing and merchant leadership resulting in designs that increased visibility

and store revenues.

● Designed the first permanent brand home set for use across all media channels.

● Collaborated with producers on material costs and budgets, and the carpentry team on set

specifications, materials, building code and final implementation.

● Provided on-set guidance and direction to photography teams, ensuring photographic brand alignment

was achieved through composition, camera angle, lighting and styling.

Senior Art Director

2007 – 2009 | Art Director, 2004 – 2007 | Concept Designer, 2002 – 2004

Led the art direction for a team of six designers that designed and reviewed all stages of circular process from

concept to completion including cover stories and special inside spreads to meet marketing and merchandising

goals.

● Designed marketing campaigns for print ads, in-store graphics, video storyboards and web pages

working collaboratively with external creative teams. Comp store sales increased between October

2007 - July 2009

● Developed a best practice policy to ensure all concepts were on brand, consistent and

production-ready. This reduced project costs by minimizing rework.

● Managed and mentored a team of associates and contractors. Identified and established individual

growth opportunities and then assigned projects based on strengths and interests.

Additional Relevant Experience

Whittman-Hart, Wauwatosa, WI

Digital Art Director

Lead designer for both digital and print marketing materials including websites, banner ads, corporate

identities and brochures.

● Created user stories and journey maps, concepts and prototypes for multiple clients including

American Airlines, Harley-Davidson, SC Johnson and MolsonCoors.

Bowne Internet Solutions, Birmingham, MI

Digital Art Director

Developed digital marketing solutions for GM, Cadillac, Buick and Harris Bank. Collaborated with information

architects and copy writers on implementing user scenarios and site flow diagrams into working prototypes.

Core Technical Competencies

Adobe InDesign / Illustrator / Photoshop, Capture One, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and

Outlook) Mac and PC

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts, (BFA) – Graphic Design, Minor: Letters and Science, Art History

University of Wisconsin -MKE