Tammy Wardell

Provide art direction, graphic design, brand development, creative campaigns for local/national clients across various industries. A turn-key Art Director who understands and thrives in the creative process from initial concept to overall supervision of the finished project.

Provide art direction, design, mood boards, layouts and omnichannel photography for four product launches a year plus taking on various monthly campaigns that include digital flyers, emails, social posts and web banners in four languages for North America while acting as creative liaison with
six international markets. My strong planning and communication skills help me excel in collaborating with Project Managers, Product Development, Designers (both domestic and international), Writers, Web Team, Sales Team and Warehouse Inventory that aid the organization in creating a consistent customer experience and journey across all channels.
• Vetted, partnered with and developed strong relationships with photographers, stylists, producers, retouchers, illustrators, and other external parties.
• Managed a heavy monthly project assets count, guiding my team in all aspects of their projects which included a Designer and a Global Production Artist that did omnichannel work for four international markets. Also advised on four other Designers’ projects to ensure brand compliance.
• Planned, managed and directed all photo shoots, and set build outs, identifying where shot costs could be lowered to shoot images in an aspect ratio or culture version that could be used for omnichannel use to consistently keep at or under budget while producing impactful, on-brand imagery.
• Collaborated with the external photo studio and a Designer that was under my management to ensure all approved retouched photography is received in full and efficiently uploaded into the DAM with correct metadata for use by the internal marketing team, Global Marketing Managers and the Consultant Field.

Lead creative on an agency team embedded in Dallas-based client Tuesday Morning's office. Worked face-to-face daily with the client while also partnering with the agency's remote team in Cleveland. Led creative and production for Tuesday Morning’s print and digital materials including newspaper inserts, direct mail, emails, social assets and in-store signage.
• Collaborated with the client Creative Director on project initiatives.
• Managed the visual brand mandatories and consistencies.
• Provided art direction to photographers, stylists, producers, illustrators, and other external collaborators.
• Managed all photo shoots, both studio and location for all channels.
• Partnered with creative team, account services, production, and extended team members to offer a regular stream of proactive and on-trend ideas for client consideration.
• Managed Junior Art Director in all aspects of design and mentored on photo art direction.

Specialized in photo direction and design of print and digital initiatives for JCP Salon, JCP Optical, and JCP Portrait; produced vehicles for both customer-facing and salon associate initiatives, developed fashion art and design for direct mail and preprint collateral, and drove a positive brand image to expand the geographic footprint, increase revenues, and grow the overall market share of the organization.
• Conceptualized and Delivered Tasteful, Well-Crafted, and Creative Strategies and Social Media Campaigns (including Foursquare and Facebook) in line with current trends, customer needs, and the vision/brand image of the organization.
• Recognized for Superior Performance, Creativity, and Work Ethic with a Full Time Offer to JCP after contracting solely for the organization.
• Tapped as the Lead Art Director and Conceptualized, Designed, Shared, and Directed Photo Art with the home team to shoot the re-branded, wedding-focused Gift Registry Book that subsequently led the creative for the digital site.
• Organized Photo Shoot Locations and Crews to achieve shot schedules while providing general set management. Directed the photographer, fashion professionals, still life stylists, and models, selected locations, and administered all logistics.
• Mentored, Trained, and Empowered Assistant Art Directors and Layout Artists to expand skills and grow with JCP.
• Provided Expertise and Management Skills to Art Buying Teams and the Photo Producer to estimate budgets, forecast timelines, manage project progress, and make improvements. Collaborated on copywriting and project reviews.
• Partnered with Premedia Teams to re-touch/color images and achieve schedules/deadlines through the proofing, blueline, and release stages.

Oversaw all operations, from conceptualization to production and final delivery, for award-winning digital and print projects both within the organization (agency self promotion) and with clients across varied sizes, budgets, and industries clients included 3M Unitek, American Heart Association, AmeriscourceBergen Specialty Group, Aquire, Golf's MVP, ION/Oncology Supply, SAP BusinessObjects, Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Texas, and The SCOOTER Store.
• Sourced and Secured New Clients and Contracts. Researched and identified prospects, created value propositions and strategies, and cultivated business relationships to eliminate the risk of customer defection.
• Expanded the Social Media Presence for the Organization and Clients through Facebook and Linkedin.
• Organized Networking and Agency Charity Events to Generate Buzz about the Organization, Garner Media Coverage, and raise funds/ awareness for local organizations.
• Identified and Negotiated New Vendor/Supplier Partnerships that reduced costs while procuring art studio materials, supplies, and equipment (including paper and printer supplies).
• Promoted the Organization and Gained New Business Leads by Networking at Community Events, including the Assistant Committee Director on the Healthcare SIG with the DFW MA. Orchestrated speaking events with C-level professionals from notable healthcare organizations, including UnitedHealthcare, the Parkland Health & Hospital System, and Alcon Labs which drove the Healthcare SIG to become one of the most in-demand industry groups for the DFW AMA.
• Selected to Manage Projects for the Organization's Largest Client, AmeriscourceBergen Specialty Group.
• Organized and Managed Photo Shoots.

Provided advertising and art expertise while freelancing for numerous clients and contracting 40+ hours/week with OnMessage (who subsequently made an offer for a permanent position); led brand development initiatives and print/web creative campaigns for local/national clients across the real estate, food, jewelry, and restaurant/bar industries, created logos/collateral, and maintained art/advertising needs, including business cards and direct mail pieces.
• Created a New Company Logo, Designed/Wrote Content for Menus, and Provided Interior Design Services for Vickery Park, a new restaurant/bar at the time. Created highly desired light fixtures and the logo/identity (still in use today).

Steered the art and creative team to successfully deliver print media campaigns, press kits, and promotional items (from creative concept to execution) for both the organization as well as national, regional, and international clients, including jewelers estimated project costs, forecasted labor/supplies, managed photo-shoots, and directed in-house color separations/re-touching.
• Developed Unique In-Store Signage, Visuals, Magazine/Newspaper Advertisements, Direct Mail Pieces, and Event Directories that captured reader attention, featured unique benefits, and drove long-lasting impact.
• Conducted Market Intelligence to Identify and Communicated the Position, Branding Initiatives, Viewpoint, and Target Markets of Each Client.
• Recognized for Formulating and Executing Innovative, Top-Notch Ideas under tight and stringent deadlines.
• Clients Included Zales (Retail and Outlet Divisions), Peoples Jewelers, Bailey Banks & Biddle, Movado, and various independent jewelers across the globe.

Managed the design and development of special and scheduled art projects, including direct mail, newspaper ads, company newsletters, and charity events while providing expertise on photo-shoots and draw/digital layouts, partnering with the art directors, creative teams, buyers, and marketing, and serving as a senior designer on hard goods and fashion catalogs throughout all stages (from start to finish) catalogues included Horchow Holiday, Fine Linens, Grand Finale and Neiman Marcus by Mail Books (shoes and handbags, apparel, and home/entertaining).
• Redesigned the Logo and Catalog for Grand Finale, the popular discount catalogue.
• Simultaneously Held the Dual Role of Art Director and Designer for Concurrent Projects.

Delivered support to national and regional campaigns via comps, layouts, and storyboards by participating in creative brainstorming, production, client presentation development/delivery, and logo design.
• Clients Included Texas Instruments, ExxonMobil, and Siemans.