Tracy Thomas, Art Director in Birmingham, AL

About

Creative Director with 25+ years of experience delivering first-class art production and marketing concepts to diverse industries that increase brand awareness, boost readership, and advance organizational mission. Combines impeccable design sensibility, strong copywriting expertise, and keen focus on quality to produce high volume of cost- effective communications within promised deadlines. Strategic, hands-on project manager who delves into and effectively combines all granular elements of a creative campaign. Regarded for an ability to adapt work processes and corporate identities to shifting organizational priorities and audience preferences.

Areas of expertise include:

Art Direction  Creative Direction  Graphic Design  Publications Management  Branding & Brand Positioning  Copywriting  Editing & Proofing  Competitive Analysis  Software Training  Project Management  QC & QA Strategic Planning  Outsourcing  Vendor Relations  Cost Reduction  Process Improvement  Editorial Scheduling  Workflow Optimization  Budgeting  Expense Control  Client Relations & Retention  Presentations

Education

Full Stack Development Certiﬁcation Computer Coding

Covalence Coding Bootcamp

2018 - 2018

Experience building web applications, mobile apps, databases, and backend APIs
Master of Science in Management Marketing & Strategic Management

Purdue University - Krannert Graduate School of Management

1992 - 1994
Bachelor of Arts Marketing & Visual Art

Birmingham-Southern College

1988 - 1992

Experience

Senior Graphics Specialist

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

Birmingham, AL

Jan 2017 - Jul 2018 (1 year 6 months)

Develop, create and produce print, web and electronic communications to effectively educate and inform current members and prospects, employer groups and providers about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama products and services.
Internal customers include—but are not limited to—Marketing, Health Management, Healthcare Networks, CMS Operations and Pharmacy Benefit Management. These communication efforts must support corporate goals and initiatives while addressing the needs, perceptions, interests and concerns of the audience.
Function as part of a team of designers who work collaboratively as well as independently to fulfill project requests. The team effectively manages multiple projects, meets/exceeds deadlines, and works well under pressure. The incumbent is highly skilled in design layout, color theory, typography and corporate branding principles in both print and digital media. He/She is fluent in current graphic design practices and applications.
Director of Visual Identity and Publications

Birmingham-Southern College

Birmingham, AL

Jun 1998 - Dec 2016 (18 years 6 months)

(Promoted from Associate Director) Direct full production lifecycles of over 300 annual publications from concept through final publication, including quarterly alumni magazine, annual reports, and admissions collateral. Position creative function as a key element of the organization’s value chain and partner to 30+ internal departments. Manage and maximize $550K+ printing budget.
Scope of diverse art direction and project management responsibilities includes vendor/printer relations, graphic design, brand management, copywriting, and photography. Continually challenged to create promotional materials and new brand standards that boost student numbers and elevate college as leading academic institution.
Senior Sales Promotion Coordinator

L.M. Berry and Company

Birmingham, AL

Sep 1995 - May 1998 (2 years 8 months)

Conceptualized, designed, and rolled out visual sales collateral to facilitate business growth. Quickly and efficiently turned around clean deliverables based on demographic data and consumer market trends. Held accountability for production budgets and established editing proofing, production, and distribution processes. Produced multimedia and audiovisual slides for executive presentations at industry conferences, sales banquets and training programs.

Awards

2013 CASE Circle of Excellence Silver Award | Collaborative Projects

2009 Distinguished Partner Award for Marketing of Literacy Resources | Literacy Council of Central Alabama

2007 Public Relations Award | Southeastern Panhellenic Conference | Recruitment Publications for Birmingham- Southern College's Panhellenic Council

2003 CASE District III Special Merit Award | Annual Reports I Category

Industries

Skills

Elsewhere on the Web

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On Coroflot

@trottlebee, member since 2011

Following 1
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Tracy Thomas

Director and Associate/Full Professor, Myron E. Ullman Jr. School of Design, College of DAAP

Director, Industrial Design