Kubo Kubo
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About
Creative leader with 25+ years of experience specializing in branding, packaging design and all aspects of design work. Demonstrated expertise in logo development, typography and art direction of photoshoots. Proven leader, problem solver and mentor to junior designers. Creative storyteller, community volunteer and athletic enthusiast.
ART DIRECTION AND MANAGEMENT:
Photo shoots, talent, team mentor, design management in house and overseas and creative liaison while working within budgets.
DESIGN:
Graphic design, production design logo development, typography, packaging, branding that is above trend.
SKILLS:
Troubleshooting, sketching, adaptable, highly organized, efficient, team builder, negotiating skills, multi-tasker, excellent communication skills, positive mentor to Junior Designers.
SOFTWARE:
Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, Excel, Word, Powerpoint.
INTERESTS:
Avid exerciser, low maintenance traveling, classic car and motorcycle enthusiast, retired land speed racer, foodie that likes eating vegan and meat. -
Education
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Industrial Design industrial designCalifornia College of the Arts1994 - 1998
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Graphic Design Graphic DesignUniversity of the Pacific1992 - 1994
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Graphic DesignLive Oak High School1988 - 1991
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Experience
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Freelance Senior Graphic DesignerevolvdesignJan 1997 - Present (29 years 8 months)Client List includes:
Moose Toys • Koophaus Apiaries • South Valley Mushroom Farm • LA Derby Dolls • Walden Speed Shop • Hamagami/Carroll, Inc • Fuhu Inc. • Jada Toys • Glory Motor Works • NKOK Toys • Shawk! • Punch Studios • Two Rodeo Drive • Moto Melee Rally • Club Townsend • Jerrod Littlejohn Production Design Co -
Senior Graphic DesignerBurbank, CANov 2014 - Oct 2022 (7 years 11 months)• Art Direction, Management, Design and Storyteller.
• In-house and overseas and creative liaison while working within budgets.
• Design work including logo development, typography, packaging, branding that is above trend.
• Communicator working with licensors, marketing and Brand to achieve a compelling design.
• Volunteer to various childrens charities such as The Painted Turtle, Ronald McDonald House.
• Positive mentor to college students by working with them on their portfolio and presentations.
• Group champion for internal diversity team. -
Senior Packaging Design ManagerCartwheel KidsCulver City, CASep 2013 - Nov 2014 (1 year 2 months)• Managed and created a team of Graphic Designers, Packaging Engineers and Photographers both
in-house and internationally for a fast growing children's products company.
• Effectively developed a system to monitor output of the Packaging process.
• Collaborated with a Project Manager while adhering to budget and timeline requirements.
• Positive mentor to interns and Junior Designers as they pursued career paths. -
Freelance Print Production ArtistPunch StudioJun 2012 - Jan 2013 (7 months)• Print file prep, photo retouching, cleaning up design files.
• Created mechanicals for multiple files with multiple deadlines.
• Communicated closely with other designers to help with work load. -
Member on the Board of DirectorsMichael Davis Music Is Revolution™ FoundationApr 2010 - Nov 2011 (1 year 7 months)• Helped raise funds in conjunction with the Hell's Belles Car Club to provide musical instruments for this non-profit organization.
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Senior Designer/Art DirectorSpin Master Ltd.Sep 2008 - Nov 2011 (3 years 2 months)• Designed and collaborated with multiple vendors for action sports toys Flick Trix and Tech Deck.
• Managed an in-house team of planners and designers based in China.
• Partnered closely with photographers, structural engineers and marketing teams. -
Senior Graphic DesignerPlayhutMay 2008 - Aug 2008 (3 months)• Designer for a manufacturer of licensed and non-licensed indoor and outdoor play structures.
• Re-branded design concepts for packaging.
• Created quick turnaround logos and stayed within my production schedules. -
Website Maintenance, Graphic DesignerL A Derby DollsFeb 2004 - Jul 2008 (4 years 5 months)• Established an online presence and help mold a look and feel of the league through digital media.
• Lead a small group of volunteers to maintain the website and all social media.
• Transitioned website into using Squarespace interface.
• Designed printed flyers for various fundraisers and game events. -
Graphic DesignerMGA EntertainmentMar 2005 - Feb 2008 (2 years 11 months)• Art directed photoshoots for product packaging.
• Conceptualized direction display for product and packaging for manufacturer pack-out reference.
• Conducted trend research for articulation of ideas for themed fashion dolls.
• Created and produced presentations to branding team.
• Generated backgrounds, patterns and logos utilizing the manipulation of typography.
• Production specialist in preparation of final art files.
• Designed internal collateral and promotional material for company-wide events. -
Graphic/Production DesignerWasp IndustriesJan 2004 - Jul 2004 (6 months)• Production/Graphic/Fashion Design for a startup motocross clothing line.
• Built tech packs for clothing manufacturing. -
Graphic/Production DesignerJason Natural CosmeticsFeb 2003 - Mar 2004 (1 year 1 month)• Production designed labels, brochures, coupons, point of purchase, ads using stock photography.
• Managed vendors and tracked quotes. -
Graphic/Production DesignerOdwallaAug 1998 - Jan 2003 (4 years 5 months)• Prepared files for production
• Interacting with vendors, attending press checks, created manuals and ads.
• Built mock ups packaging.
• In House photographer.
• Organized and archived creative services materials for reference and future use. -
Graphic DesignerClub TownsendJan 1995 - Jun 2002 (7 years 5 months)• Designed club flyers, t-shirts, logos, programs that needed to be done yesterday.
• VIP Guest list hostess for all major events.
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Awards
Good Food Award 2023 - Branding and Packaging design for a honey product that my family entered and won for best wildflower honey 2023.
Senior project shown in Graphis - New Talent Design Annual for motorcycle helmet with Heads Up Display technology. -
Affiliations
Hell's Belles Car Club, L. A. Derby Dolls, Hell's Belles Racing, Sidewinders Car Club, SCTA Member
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Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@evolv, member since 2002
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Following 12
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Followers 13
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