Ms Kubo, Packaging Manager / Art Director / Graphic Designer / Team Player in Los Angeles, CA

About

Hello!

I am a Creative Leader in Packaging and Graphics. My experience ranges from managing teams both in house and abroad, to logo development, innovating packaging design and photo shoots in the toy, beauty, food and action sports industry.

DESIGN:

Art direction, graphic design, logo development, typography, packaging, branding that is above trend.

MANAGEMENT:

Photo shoots, talent, positive team mentor, design management in house and overseas and creative liaison.

SKILLS:

Troubleshooting, sketching, adaptable, highly organized, efficient, multi-tasker, positive mentor to Junior Designers.

SOFTWARE:

Photoshop CS6, Illustrator CS6, InDesign, Acrobat, Excel, Word and Powerpoint

INTERESTS:

Classic car and motorcycle enthusiast, land speed racing, roller derbyist, avid exerciser, low maintenance traveling, foodie that likes eating vegan and meat.

Education

Industrial Design

California College of the Arts

1994 - 1998
Graphic Design Graphic Design

University of the Pacific

1992 - 1994
Graphic Design

Live Oak High School

1988 - 1991

Experience

Senior Graphic Designer

Hasbro, Inc.

Burbank, CA

Nov 2014 - Present (6 years 10 months)
Senior Packaging Design Manager

Cartwheel Kids

Culver City, CA

Sep 2013 - Nov 2014 (1 year 2 months)

Managing, leading and motivating a team of Graphic Designers, Packaging Engineers and Photographers both in house and overseas for a fast growing children's products company. Positive mentor to interns and Junior Designers. Effectively developed a process to monitor output of the various stages of the Packaging process while ensuring highly creative results in a timely manner. Managing budgets for the packaging team, negotiating estimates, following up on payments to vendors while keeping within my scheduled milestones. Able to wear the many hats that it takes to get the job done!
Freelance Senior Graphic Designer

evolvdesign

Jan 1997 - Sep 2013 (16 years 8 months)

Managing a team of freelancers for the LA Derby Dolls and Walden Speed Shop. Branding and design for Hamagami/Carroll Inc, Fuhu Inc., Jada Toys, Glory Motor Works, NKOK Toys, Shawk!, Punch Studios, Sailor Jerry Rum, Jerrod Littlejohn Production Design, Wayne Childs Architecture, Two Rodeo, Moto Melee, BMW San Francisco, Audrey Joseph Presents and South Valley Mushroom Farm.
Freelance Print Production Artist

Punch Studio

Jun 2012 - Jan 2013 (7 months)

Print file prep, photo retouching, cleaning up design files, creating mechanicals for multiple files with multiple deadlines.
Member on the Board of Directors

Michael Davis Music Is Revolution™ Foundation

Apr 2010 - Nov 2011 (1 year 7 months)

I voluntarily helped raise funds every year to their cause in conjunction with the Hell's Belles Car Club to provide instruments for this non-profit organization.
Senior Designer/Art Director

Spin Master Ltd.

Sep 2008 - Nov 2011 (3 years 2 months)

Senior Designer working on the Flick Trix and Tech Deck packaging. Logo design, name generating for product, packaging design, understanding packaging requirements, created mockups, checking samples for correctness in color and pack out. I was a resource for photographers, illustrators and designers, getting quotes from vendors, art directing photographers, illustrators and leading a small team of designers both in house and in China, working with a very tight schedule. I always participated in all company functions and improved overall moral through participation and a positive attitude.
Senior Graphic Designer

Playhut

May 2008 - Aug 2008 (3 months)

Senior Graphic Designer for packaging for a manufacturer of licensed and non-licensed indoor and outdoor play structures. I rebranded design concepts for packaging, designed quick turnaround logos and stayed within my production schedules with efficient use of my time.
Website Maintenance, Graphic Designer

L A Derby Dolls

Feb 2004 - Jul 2008 (4 years 5 months)

Established an online presence and help mold a look and feel of the league through digital media. I lead a small group of volunteers to maintain the website and all social media. Dreamweaver and flash was used for the first website and transitioned into using Squarespace interface. I also worked on several printed flyers for various events.
Graphic Designer

MGA Entertainment

Mar 2005 - Feb 2008 (2 years 11 months)

I worked on the Bratz packaging, logo design, name concepts, color stories, mock ups, concept packaging shapes for the doll line, packed out dolls for Hong Kong for placement. Participated in all company events and helped plan them along with a team of other fellow employees, designed collateral while working within our budgets and deadlines.
Graphic/Production Designer

Wasp Industries

Jan 2004 - Jul 2004 (6 months)

Freelance Production/Graphic/Fashion Design for a startup motorcross clothing line.
Graphic/Production Designer

Jason Natural Cosmetics

Feb 2003 - Mar 2004 (1 year 1 month)

Freelance full time Graphic Production & Design for a natural cosmetics company. Production design on current labels and incorporating them into new designs for brochures, coupons, point of purchase, as well as creating ads using stock photography. I also worked with vendors and getting quotes.
Graphic/Production Designer

Odwalla

Aug 1998 - Jan 2003 (4 years 5 months)

Freelance Production & Design, preparation for production, interacting with vendors, attending press checks, creating manuals,products photography, mock up packaging, creating ads, inserts and other collateral items as directed. Coordinating the organizing and archiving of creative services materials.
Graphic Designer

Club Townsend

Jan 1995 - Jun 2002 (7 years 5 months)

Freelance graphic design for club flyers, t-shirts, logos, programs that needed to be done yesterday, and door girl by night.

Awards

Senior project shown in Graphis - New Talent Design Annual 1998

Affiliations

Hell's Belles Car Club, L. A. Derby Dolls, Hell's Belles Racing, Sidewinders Car Club, SCTA Member

Skills

Elsewhere on the Web

n

On Coroflot

@evolv, member since 2002

Following 11
Followers 12