Resumé

Martha Clark–Plank
216/856/0534
marthaplank@gmail.com
follow me on http://squarepegsymposium.blogspot.com/


COMPELLING DESIGN, Cleveland, OH
Design firm specializing in brand + art direction + surface pattern + book design + trend + consumer product development + innovation + identity systems + social expression

PRINCIPAL + DESIGNER [presently]
Applying my 15+ years of design + illustration + art direction + innovation expertise to create effective, dynamic visual solutions for local and global clients including:
American Greetings New Product Concepts
American Greetings Interactive
American Greetings Properties
American Greetings Cardstore
Faber–Castell/Creativity for Kids
Design Works International
Kinetic Gardens
Li & Fung
The Committee to Elect Jim French
Georgetown University Press
Holy Family Learning Center
Burning River Roller Girls
Snapily.com


AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION, Cleveland, OH
The largest publicly owned distributor of social express products in the United States. $1.7 billion manufacturer of greeting cards and related consumer products

SENIOR DESIGNER photoworks.com, division of American Greetings Interactive [2008–2010]
Conceptualized, designed, and art directed product for digital photo sharing and personal publishing with preeminence placed on solid design, trend, and user experience.
• Created seamless solutions to complex needs as a book designer on the launch of Photoworks new interactive book tool [http://www.photoworks.com/studio-books]
• Design, styling, and trend development for a fast paced photo-based social expression and personalized product design studio
• Applied user experience methodology in designing interactive product
• Delivered trend-driven, top-selling product for the baby, kid, and adult segments
• Expanded on top sellers to create cohesive merchandising and design stories
• Lead team in the exploration of new product forms and innovation
• Planned technology driven themes and innovative formats
• Introduced layout options that balanced customer segments and create efficiencies
• Collaborated internally and with free-lancers on purchasing art, production, and design
• Experience in creating web assets and the production needs of online consumer product

SENIOR DESIGNER AGProperties, a division of American Greetings Interactive [2000–2008]
Conceptualized, designed, and art directed collections of brand–specific artwork with an emphasis on trend forecasting, patterning design, and the needs of consumer products for American Greetings’ intellectual property and outbound licensing division.
• Developed style guide themes for the relaunch of three highly successful classic character properties [Carebears and Strawberry Shortcake garnered over $5 billion in combined worldwide retail sales since 2002]
• Impacted sales directly with the development of Carebears baby for Walmart, fashion styling for Hasbro, and Strawberry Shortcake themes for boutique licensees, and Classic property themes for Hot Topic
• Developed pitch materials and bibles for IP/new character–based properties to support entertainment and consumer products initiatives
• Approved licensee artwork submissions for high volume hardline and apparel categories
• Delivered trend right and brand driven designs which supported multi-platform campaigns in the kid, tween, and baby markets
• Piloted several multifarious, brand-specific packaging systems
• Created systems to better partner with agents, licensees, and free-lancers
• Coordinated internal staff, free-lancers, and vendors on complex projects
• Led research, analysis, and development for consumer product and R&D needs


THE PILGRIM PRESS, Cleveland, OH
Not for profit publishing arm serving the 1.1 million member UCC and the trade and academic audiences, specializing in social justice, academic, and spirituality titles, established in 1640, the oldest publishing house in the United States.

ART DIRECTOR [1992–2000]
Art directed and/or designed seasonal book lists of 30+ titles and the collateral and promotional materials for the publishing house including seasonal catalogues, brochures, posters, materials for author events, and print advertising.
• Collaborated with authors, acquiring editors, marketing and production groups
• Developed a dynamic and cohesive brand for this historic, academic institution
• Arranged, art directed, and styled photoshoots
• Established systems to standardized art purchasing and rights usage
• Introduced innovative formats, binding systems, trim sizes, and finishings
• Garnered numerous design awards including, the Association of American University Presses
• Secured print purchasing and conducted impactful press checks


HARRIS/RASIC DESIGN, Cleveland, OH
Boutique design group located in the warehouse district specializing in unique visual solutions for small business and large corporations.

DESIGNER [1990–1992]


EDUCATION
Case Western Reserve University
Weatherhead School Of Management
Management Design
Change By Design
Igniting Positive Change
Appreciative Inquiry

Kids Industries/4 Ft. Thinking
innovation+training

workshops+studio art classes

Kent State University 1986–1990
Visual Communication BFA program
concentration in graphic design


My work today is an exciting combination of many things. I research emerging tastemakers and classic icons of graphic design, fashion, fine art, and architecture—and then marry that inspiration of color, composition, and style, with the real world needs of clients.

Projects by Martha Clark-Plank