Dash a'Ginger, Creative Direction, Product and Media Designer in Washington, DC

About

I have worked remotely as a 360 degree designer for 8 years. Having an entrepreneurial spirit, I'm an adrenaline junkie for tight deadlines, preparing project bid graphics and product concepts. I enjoy consulting with companies to provide possibilities for new product line directions, freshen messaging approaches or revise their e-learning and consumer education approach.

Clients Include:

CISCO, nVidia, Intel, Intel Museum, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, SunTrust Bank, Pacific Life, Atlantic Mutual, Viacom, Showtime, MTV, CMT, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Scripps Network, HGTV, Food Network, Fine Living, DIY, GAC, Hong Kong Jockey Club, Pfizer, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, AstraZenica, Berlex. NASCAR Sponsors, Sig Sauer, Remington, Darden Restaurants, Home Depot, IKEA, Frigidaire and pitch work for Gieco, IBM, Pepsi, Bank of America, NASA, Army, Air Force, DoD, FHA, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and Habitat for Humanity.

Highlights:

• Fifteen years graphic design experience for Fortune 500 companies in web/e-Commerce, media development, e-Learning, print, collateral, tradeshow exhibits and pop-up store design

• Four years custom product design and manufacture management in China and the US for Fortune 100 companies on programs $1M+

• Travel to China to inspect product, train vendors on QA procedures, assess factory worker conditions, and identify OEM factories. Was an International buyer at Canton Fair in China for three years, sourcing case goods, packaging, gifts, novelties, clothing and factories to produce custom products.

• Four years college instruction experience and chaired college design departments for Graphic Design, Advertising, Foundations and Interior Architecture totaling 500 students and 29 faculty. Increased retention 80%.

Education

BFA and BID Product Design

Rhode Island School of Design

2 - 3
Masters of Science Instructional Technology and Instructional Design

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

1 - 2

Experience

Creative Director, Media and Product Designer

Dash a’Ginger Design Studios

Jun 2012 - Present (14 years)

Media and product development for domestic and foreign clients. Product and branding launches, launch media and package design. Investor solicitation presentation (making the product already look real.)
Creative Director and Media and Product Designer

Robertson Marketing Group

Jul 2005 - May 2012 (6 years 10 months)

Designed and developed digital and print media: marketing, training, e-learning, front-end
design of e-commerce websites, tradeshow booths/traveling stores, packaging and print collateral.
Produced 3D animations and voiceovers with vendors.

Digital Design clients: Viacom, Showtime, MTV, CMT, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Scripps Network, HGTV, Food Network, Fine Living, DIY, GAC, SunTrust Bank, CISCO, nVidia, NASCAR Sponsors.

Designed and developed products from concept through manufacture: market research, reverse engineering, prototype development, factory evaluation, manufacturing oversight and tooling correction. Conducted domestic and international vendor communications and final product inspections.

Product Design clients: CISCO, Intel, Intel Museum, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Pacific Life.

Designed products: Case goods/bags/backpacks, package design (through drop-test), corporate awards, wooden items, plastic component molded with ABS, TPU, TPE, silicone and over-molding. With the following processes: SolidWorks/Pro-E CAD modeling, stereo-lithography, short-run soft mold casting, rigid foam modeling, 3D scanning, industrial sewing, crystal and cast acrylic (subtractive shaping, multi-stage grinding, sand blasting), pewter casting, blown glass with design knowledge of glass chemistry/color cooling rates, pad printing, embroidery.
Summer Program Coordinator

California College of the Arts

Jan 2005 - Aug 2005 (7 months)

Increased summer program admission by 15% from the previous year. Evaluated transcripts for domestic and international students, assigned classes, registered students, evaluated summer program scholarship portfolio, coordinated with Residence Hall, prepared mass mailing of acceptance/denial letters and program packets. Coordinated opening day events, dormitory check-in and student ID packets, catering and ceremony media equipment. Coordinated campus-wide catered final art show and studio day for parents. Planned student bus trips and food for SF campus day and Muir Beach outings. Resolved instructor/student conflicts, behavioral issues and health emergencies as needed.
Academic Chair

Art Institute of Washington

2004 - 2005 (1 year)

Managed staff and curriculum, developed new classes as necessary, hired and trained adjunct instructors, planned quarterly class schedules/offerings and planned three years of departmental goals. Advised and scheduled quarterly 500 students and 29 faculty in Graphic Design, Advertising, Foundations and Interior Architecture. My primary challenge and achievement was developing and implementing a plan of consistent standards with the faculty to eradicate social passing and prepare students for better entry-level jobs in their field of study. The plan was implemented at other Art Institute franchises.
Full-Time Instructor

Art Institute of Washington

2002 - 2004 (2 years)

Taught subjects such as Foundations of 3D form and construction, Animation Armature Figure Construction and Balance, Beginning Package Design, Color Theory and Design Principles, Visual Expressions: Design Voice through Medium Choice, Conceptual Design, Script Writing for Animation, PhotoShop, Illustrator, and Intro to Media Arts and Animation business survey class.

Additional activities:
• Evaluated 300+ Graphic Design portfolios as part of the Graphic Design Review team.
• Co-sponsored AIGA and animation campus clubs.
• Taught more classes per quarter than required of full-time faculty.
Creative Director

Newton Interactive Group

2000 - 2001 (1 year)

Directed the production of web-based and CBT pharmaceutical sales training and marketing. Job
position objective was to decrease cost of media production of Flash animation, CD, and video to
help position Newton Interactive for IPO/initial public offering. Cut costs of Flash development by 65%. Managed project-based teams of up to 18 designers and developers. Designed Flash animation storyboards and created Flash artwork with Medical SMEs. Managed Newton’s brand transition, production of all marketing materials, ad placement, print materials, package design and premiums. Developed preferred vendor list and managed communication, quotes, and buying from fulfillment vendors.

Clients: Pfizer, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, AstraZenica, Berlex.

Awards

MARCOM (Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals Award):

• 2 Platinum: Marketing/Promotion Campaign/Self Promotion and Promotion Materials

• 3 Gold: Media Kit/Service, Media Kit/Marketing/Promotion, and Marketing/Promotion/Postcard

PPAI (Promotional Products Association International) Silver Award for marketing materials

Skills

On Coroflot

@DashofGinger, member since 2013

Following 1
Followers 7

Dash a'Ginger

Industrial Design Project Manager (Fractional / Part-Time)

Sr. Industrial Designer