Vonnie Pytel
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About
SUMMARY OF SKILL SETS
• Directorship: Strong management skills in Creative, Art, Marketing and Team Leadership.
• Hands-on: Like to lead but like to get hands dirty too with collaborative design in all phases of the creative processes.
• Development: Formulate supportive work environment, manage and direct team members to meet or exceed individual goals and company expectancies.
• Project Management: Oversee and maintain high standards.
• Communicate: Direct domestic and overseas vendors for quality compliance.
• Build the Brand: Produce logos, corporate IDs and licensed art to create awareness through print and digital media channels.
• Expert with Design Programs and Other Technologies: Adobe Creative Cloud/CC, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat. Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, and Office 365.
• Package Designing and Packaging Layout: CPG, B2B, B2C, POPs, Clam Shell Packaging, Fluted, Carding, and Hang Tags.
• Writing: Copywriting, technical documents, editing, proofreading, packaging verbiage, and marketing collateral.
•. Email Marketing: Social media, online forms and surveys, blogs, and SEO.
• Print Graphic Designing: Marketing collateral, sales support pieces, catalogs & brochures, advertising signage, magazines and publications, instructional manuals, owner’s guides, trade show displays, large format display layouts, and book covers.
• Digital Graphic Design & Layout Skill Sets: Web page layout, social media banners, website design, Internet/screen graphics, email marketing campaigns.
• Making Things Happen: Trend analyzing, market research, department budgeting, team time management, project prioritization, competitive shopping, and sales studies.
• Product Designing and Product Graphics: Measuring Devices, outdoor & weather, bath scales, kitchen gadgets, gift items, cosmetics, accessories, fashion, jewelry, and Plush Toys.
VONNIE'S TRIPLE THREAT (SPECIALTIES)
• Professional senior level art director who strives for excellence.
• Technical and creative expert in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Highly artistic and innovative in all aspects of art and design whether produced digitally or by way of freehand illustration. -
Education
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Bachelor of Fine Arts BFA area of studyIllinois Institute of Art
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Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences AAS area of studyThe College of DuPage
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Experience
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Lead Direction / Senior Technical WriterRosemont, ILAug 2018 - Present (6 years 4 months)• Lead and develop objectives, strategies, and priorities for the team.
• Write, edit, and proofread User Guides, Installation Manuals, and product labeling using Adobe InDesign for print and web based applications.
• Define documentation guidelines for the standardization and highest impact of company literature.
• Create and revise line art drawings from engineer’s diagrams using Adobe Illustrator.
• Edit photos in Adobe Photoshop for manuals and marketing materials.
• Manage 100+ technical documents and updates per year, including new product manuals.
• Implement all regulatory and certification change requests into electronic docs and submitting document control orders. -
Creative DirectorREVitalize Investment, Inc.Boca Raton, FLOct 2016 - Present (7 years 10 months)* Originated the corporation's marketing strategies, established the brand strategy, initiated the company vision and defined overall startup objectives.
* Planned and organized marketing functions and operations for the branding, communications and 'voice' of the company.
* Instituted and oversaw all marketing operations. Drove and directed the marketing team through complex marketing operations and balanced practicality with creativity which exceeded department expectations.
* Developed a marketing plan for the department and oversaw its daily workflow which ensured the marketing efforts were successful and helped outperform company goals.
* Hand designed and coordinated promotional advertising campaigns, PR and other marketing efforts across all digital and print channels utilizing Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Microsoft software (PowerPoint, Excel).
* Wrote copy and created graphics that supported digital marketing program's email marketing, SEO, display ads, and social media with WordPress, PowerPoint and Excel.
* Liaised with other departments to guide a unified approach to customer service and tracked sales that met market demands.
* Generated and delivered internal and customer based presentations on project goals, plans, and ROI reports.
* Managed and tracked the marketing budget. -
Senior Graphic Designer/Art DirectionTaylor Precision Products Inc.Oak Brook, ILNov 2011 - Present (12 years 8 months)* Supervised, mentored and gave artistic direction to the graphic team members, engineers, freelancers and interns.
* Accountable for the quality of packaging and print production.
* Directed photo shoots, lighting, props, staging and post production/retouching.
* Collaborated with the Marketing and Sales departments to create and produce all aspects of advertising design for instruction manuals, sell sheets, sales aides, packaging, POPs, trade show displays and branding created with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
* Developed and implemented creative ideation for restaged packaging and product design for B2B and B2C utilizing Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.
* Analyzed market trends used to inspire successful patterns and applied styles. -
Senior Creative DirectorPytel Productions, LLC?Woodridge, ILJan 2008 - Present (16 years 11 months)• Manage the creative process from concept to completion.
• Translate marketing objectives into clear creative strategies.
• Lead and direct the production of all marketing collateral.
• Ensure visual communication and brand standards are met.
• Oversee profitability, deliverables, timelines and budgets.
• Meet with clients to explain campaign strategies and solutions.
• Produce digital artwork with Adobe Creative Suite and create fine art with the skillsets of drawing, painting, and mixed media. -
Senior Creative DirectorPytel Productions, LLC?Woodridge, ILJan 2008 - Present (16 years 11 months)• Manage the creative process from concept to completion.
• Translate marketing objectives into clear creative strategies.
• Lead and direct the production of all marketing collateral.
• Ensure visual communication and brand standards are met.
• Oversee profitability, deliverables, timelines and budgets.
• Meet with clients to explain campaign strategies and solutions.
• Produce digital artwork with Adobe Creative Suite and create fine art with the skillsets of drawing, painting, and mixed media. -
Art Direction / Sr. Graphic DesignerPrecious Moments, Inc.Rolling Meadows, ILMay 2006 - Present (18 years 7 months)* Established, organized and lead a strong Design Development Department.
* Drove all facets of the development process and was responsible for all events.
* Managed creativity of freelance artists, illustrators and designers.
* Developed department procedure manual for increased productivity.
* Produced style guides for licensees such as Hallmark, and products retailed at companies such as Kmart and Walgreens (Co-branding and White Labeling).
* Initiated trend research, sourcing vendors and worked directly with overseas factories.
* Executed trend inspired artwork, new product line designs, advertising and marketing collateral utilizing Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
* Designed animated graphics and digital web layouts. -
Art Direction & Product DesignerClaire's Stores, Inc.Hoffman Estates, ILOct 2004 - Present (19 years 7 months)* Translated business needs into comprehensive analysis that provided insight, knowledge, and understanding of our customers, deliverables, and industries.
* Directed assistant product designers, production team members, and interns.
* Planned color and trend presentations for seasonal all-company corporate meetings.
* Spoke at large group events and presented product concepts/procedures.
* Produced original product designs for home decor, cosmetics, accessories, and apparel utilizing Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.
* Supplied art and directly communicated with overseas factories and domestic vendors. -
Art Director / Sr. Product & Package Design (Part-time)Beck Hill GroupGlen Ellyn, ILJan 2000 - Present (24 years)* Independently analyzed and interpreted market trends and data made actionable recommendations based on findings using critical thinking skills.
* Developed children's products, package design, book illustrations, brochures, trade show displays, marketing and advertising ads using Adobe Suite and Microsoft software.
* Produced print graphics and digital designs for Scholastic Books, and The Learning Line. -
Art DirectorLong Hill Entertainment, Inc.Clarendon Hills, ILJan 2000 - Present (24 years 11 months)* Headed design department and successfully managed a five member Illustration team.
* Organized, built and maintained a high performance culture that promoted and fostered a cohesive team environment which made coming to work FUN!
* Managed the creative process from concept through completion.
* Created trade show ads, marketing brochures, digital web site graphics, book covers, labels, graphics for CDs and clam shell cases.
* Coordinated and revised book designs utilizing Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator. -
Digital Graphic Design InstructorThe Illinois Institute of ArtSchaumburg, ILJan 2000 - Present (24 years 7 months)* Established, wrote, and revised curriculum.
* Evaluated/assisted preparation for Regional Accreditation and was a PAC committee member.
* Planned, coordinated, taught freehand illustration, typography, and design instruction.
* Taught design and color theory, resume writing, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, QuarkXPress.
* Conducted academic advising. OTHER SKILLS, PASSIONS & FUN FACTS
* Excellent Verbal Communication Skills: Can talk the talk and walk the walk. :)
* Creative Passion: For all forms of design and all forms of writing.
* Highly creative: With the ability to be analytical, think critically, and have big ideas all at the same time.
* Teacher of College Level Courses and Children's Art Lessons: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Advertising, Design, Packaging, Illustration, Cartooning, Typography, Pencil Drawing, and Abstract Art.
* Fine Artist: Illustration, Conceptual Drawing, Acrylic Painting, Watercolorist, Mixed Media, and Kid's Character Art.
* Cider Brewing: Love creating flavored homemade hard cider and love sharing it too. ) -
Lead Direction / Senior Technical WriterRosemont, IL2018 - 2021 (3 years)* Lead and develop objectives, strategies, and priorities for the team.
* Manage 100+ technical documents and updates per year, including new product manuals.
* Define documentation guidelines for the standardization and highest impact of company literature.
* Write, edit, and proofread User Guides, Installation Manuals, and product labeling using Adobe InDesign for print and web based applications.
* Create and revise line art drawings from engineer's diagrams using Adobe Illustrator.
* Edit photos in Adobe Photoshop for manuals and marketing materials.
* Implement all regulatory and certification change requests into electronic docs and submitting document control orders.
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Awards
-National Outstanding Leader and Teacher Award 2004
-Full Tuition Scholarship and Grants to The College of DuPage
-Scholarship to The Illinois Institute of Art-Schaumburg
-Graduated with high honors and in the top 5 percent of class -
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On Coroflot@yvonnepytel, member since 2011
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