Maryland Institute College of Art

Parson's School of Design

Art Director/ Brand Manager at Mash Media Studio

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

- Run a full service ad agency which includes online marketing, web and print design, packaging, branding, & photography. Clients include but not limited to restaurants, school supply company, chiropractic office, and construction & pool company.

Mash Media Studio

Art Director/ Brand Manager

- Conceptualize, develop and implement high quality, fashion forward designs for various markets and product categories including but not limited to the gaming industry, sports, apparel, and stationery.
- Design and develop brand recognition within different marketing venues including web sites, store displays, merchandising, packaging, advertising and social networking sites.
- Develop cutting-edge designs through trend forecasting and ensure brand consistency for various up and coming companies as well as large fortune 500 companies including but not limited to Publicis Life Brands and World of Warcraft.

Gulan Graphics

Art Director/Product Manager

- Traveled around the globe and discovered it’s many faces through documentary photography and volunteer work. This gave me valuable insight to various cultures and trends that are happening throughout the world.

The World

Travel Abroad

- Gave art direction to over 50 licensees in producing proprietary products for Discovery’s key brands including Monster Garage, American Chopper, Animal Planet, Trading Spaces, Discovery Kids, Darcy’s Wildlife and Save-Ums!
-  Worked with and managed internal and external creative groups to ensure quality and integrity of products.
-  Managed the photography of over 500 products.
-  Managed all aspects of internal presentations including space set up, merchandising, and power point.
-  Worked with various internal groups including shows and events and the production group to create professional high-end presentations that live up to Discovery’s standards.
- Presentations included are Corporate Trading Spaces event, yearly products budget presentation, Great Starts Presentation, Holiday Product Preview.
-  Kept records of all assets and job tracking within the art department and ensured communication between product managers and the creative team.
-  Represented the creative development and licensing team at trade shows and events.

Discovery Communications

Design Manager of Consumer Products Licensing Division

- Doubled company’s market share, from 10M to 22M, through the design of its first carded product line.
-  Conducted domestic and international press checks on all collateral materials.
-  Maintained daily working relationship with sales reps, internal departments and overseas manufacturers.
-  Coordinated factory communication including product specifications, proto-type development, samples, pre-production and quality control.
-  Understanding of factory costs, shipping costs, and company margins in order to develop product to a specific price point.
-  Developed and designed innovative products from concept to production and finally to the mass market while understanding and reaching multiple target markets and having a proven track record in exceeding the companies financial goals.
-  Represented the company as artistic counsel on product licensing with a variety of Fortune 500 companies including Coca Cola, Binney-Smith, & Hershey Foods Corp.
-  Art directed and managed a team of artists in researching market trends to develop strong product lines, unique packaging solutions, and product concepts while keeping the brand integrity and customer satisfaction.
-  Designed trade show exhibits and product fixturing.
-  Created collateral materials with demanding deadlines to support the sales team including sell sheets, catalogs and prototype projects.
-  Led design team in creating new corporate identity.
-  Established a training program familiarizing artists with the latest software and market trends.
-  Interviewed, hired and trained a staff of 12 artists.

Aleksandra Gulan