I am a proven leader in building great brands with great teams. I strive to create a working environment for my team that is supportive, creative and purpose-driven. My experience is built on impactful branding projects for Coca-Cola, Nextdoor, Shasta Ventures and many more that has fostered my passion for creating and leading brand design and digital marketing with cross-functional teams. This experience has brought a wealth of knowledge from many industries, markets and products that will surely benefit your company.
I have had the pleasure to work with some great companies, like these:
EXPERIENCE
Rocket Lawyer / Brand Design Manager / 2019-Current
- Lead the strategy, creation and evolution of the Rocket Lawyer brand identity, including the implementation across Marketing, Product, Social, Email and Culture. Collaborate with our product teams and copywriter to create new brand assets including icon system and illustrations to be used across the Rocket Lawyer UX.
- Worked with the Growth Marketing team to create the company’s first Performance TV campaign for SMBs. Within a fast turnaround, I art directed 2 commercials and created supporting digital marketing across the Google Display Network, Pandora and YouTube. Campaign saw significant user engagement, brand awareness and conversions.
- Developed a new brand architecture system that has helped reposition our products, into an integrated yet scalable system.
- Designed multiple lifecycle marketing email campaigns that serve as templates across our US and UK marketing teams for customer retention, user engagement and promotions. Initial Welcome Email and monthly newsletter saw a substantial uplift in trial conversions and annual revenue.
- Created go-to-market marketing designs to promote new features and products. These multi-touch designs span App store previews, landing pages, videos, social graphics and emails.
- As part of the UX team, I designed landing pages, graphics and marketing assets for our Coronavirus response initiative, which built a free website for our customers to aid in legal and financial matters related to the impact of the global pandemic.
- Lead the design and implementation of office improvements in our San Francisco and Utah offices designing interior spaces, furniture selection and environmental graphics. Much of this work is part of broader brand culture initiatives to increase collaboration, wellbeing and company culture.
- Collaborate with the CEO and executive leadership team to create internal and external presentations including board decks, affiliate partner and thought leader presentations.
- Lead the strategy, creation and evolution of the Rocket Lawyer brand identity, including the implementation across Marketing, Product, Social, Email and Culture. Collaborate with our product teams and copywriter to create new brand assets including icon system and illustrations to be used across the Rocket Lawyer UX.
- Worked with the Growth Marketing team to create the company’s first Performance TV campaign for SMBs. Within a fast turnaround, I art directed 2 commercials and created supporting digital marketing across the Google Display Network, Pandora and YouTube. Campaign saw significant user engagement, brand awareness and conversions.
- Developed a new brand architecture system that has helped reposition our products, into an integrated yet scalable system.
- Designed multiple lifecycle marketing email campaigns that serve as templates across our US and UK marketing teams for customer retention, user engagement and promotions. Initial Welcome Email and monthly newsletter saw a substantial uplift in trial conversions and annual revenue.
- Created go-to-market marketing designs to promote new features and products. These multi-touch designs span App store previews, landing pages, videos, social graphics and emails.
- As part of the UX team, I designed landing pages, graphics and marketing assets for our Coronavirus response initiative, which built a free website for our customers to aid in legal and financial matters related to the impact of the global pandemic.
- Lead the design and implementation of office improvements in our San Francisco and Utah offices designing interior spaces, furniture selection and environmental graphics. Much of this work is part of broader brand culture initiatives to increase collaboration, wellbeing and company culture.
- Collaborate with the CEO and executive leadership team to create internal and external presentations including board decks, affiliate partner and thought leader presentations.
Thermostat / Creative Director & Principal / 2008-2019
- Launched, own and manage a small award-winning design agency designing integrated brand campaigns that include: strategy, brand identity, print collateral, websites, packaging, advertising, social, interiors, and motion graphics/video.
- Hands on involvement of all aspects of the business, including: business development, estimating & proposals, creative strategy & brief writing, design & production, art direction, project management, talent search & staff supervision, business regulations and more.
- Manage designers, freelancers, copywriters, developers and photographers.
- C-level presentations and senior marketing staff engagement.
- Extensive experience managing multiple projects at multiple stages of design and production .
- Experience writing body copy, headlines, taglines and brand names.
- Design strategy for UX and UI for B2C and B2B websites.
- Clients range from established companies to start-ups in the U.S. and abroad, including Fitbit, Pensco, Shaklee, Nextdoor, LeapFrog, DFV Wines, Velocify and more.
- Worked as a consulting internal Creative Director for Shaklee to establish design strategy for new products, marketing, conference graphics and more (5-8/17).
- Supported other agencies on key projects including: IDEO U, Sterling Brands, Trinity Brands, Catchword and Hero Marketing.
- Launched, own and manage a small award-winning design agency designing integrated brand campaigns that include: strategy, brand identity, print collateral, websites, packaging, advertising, social, interiors, and motion graphics/video.
- Hands on involvement of all aspects of the business, including: business development, estimating & proposals, creative strategy & brief writing, design & production, art direction, project management, talent search & staff supervision, business regulations and more.
- Manage designers, freelancers, copywriters, developers and photographers.
- C-level presentations and senior marketing staff engagement.
- Extensive experience managing multiple projects at multiple stages of design and production .
- Experience writing body copy, headlines, taglines and brand names.
- Design strategy for UX and UI for B2C and B2B websites.
- Clients range from established companies to start-ups in the U.S. and abroad, including Fitbit, Pensco, Shaklee, Nextdoor, LeapFrog, DFV Wines, Velocify and more.
- Worked as a consulting internal Creative Director for Shaklee to establish design strategy for new products, marketing, conference graphics and more (5-8/17).
- Supported other agencies on key projects including: IDEO U, Sterling Brands, Trinity Brands, Catchword and Hero Marketing.
Turner Duckworth / Design Director / 2002–2008
- Created B2C and B2B brand identities and package design systems for various CPG, tech, and service industries worldwide, including: Motorola, Dolby, Method, Coca-Cola, Jamba Juice, PalmOne, Target, Lindsay Olives and more.
- Managed teams of designers, from 3-12 designers at a time, on multiple projects within a fast-paced environment.
- Built presentations and presented to C-level clients.
- Responsible for talent searches and retention, resulting in 600% studio growth in three years time.
- Managed the implementation of designs through production, ensuring quality.
- Drafted company policies to manage a fast growth period within the company.
- Designs created for competitive pitches won projects and future work for Coca-Cola, Click Wine Group and more.
- Worked in London on two occasions, helping to win a large account in 2004.
- Created B2C and B2B brand identities and package design systems for various CPG, tech, and service industries worldwide, including: Motorola, Dolby, Method, Coca-Cola, Jamba Juice, PalmOne, Target, Lindsay Olives and more.
- Managed teams of designers, from 3-12 designers at a time, on multiple projects within a fast-paced environment.
- Built presentations and presented to C-level clients.
- Responsible for talent searches and retention, resulting in 600% studio growth in three years time.
- Managed the implementation of designs through production, ensuring quality.
- Drafted company policies to manage a fast growth period within the company.
- Designs created for competitive pitches won projects and future work for Coca-Cola, Click Wine Group and more.
- Worked in London on two occasions, helping to win a large account in 2004.
Icon Estates (Constellation Wines) / Senior Designer / 2001–2002
- Sole designer at an in-house marketing department of Icon Estates, leading time sensitive packaging and marketing projects, including labels, sell sheets, POS displays, neckers and sales brochures.
- Sole designer at an in-house marketing department of Icon Estates, leading time sensitive packaging and marketing projects, including labels, sell sheets, POS displays, neckers and sales brochures.
- Designed on & off premise sales tools for Icon’s brands including Franciscan Oakville Estate, Simi Winery, Ravenswood, Mt. Veeder, Estancia and Veramonte.
- Created collateral, advertising and signage for Franciscan’s hospitality center.
Industrial Light + Magic / Senior Designer / 2000-2001
- Designed & managed projects for various Lucas companies including art direction of designers & production artists.
- Projects included: motion graphics, identity design, print collateral, advertising, exhibition design, interactive design and clothing apparel.
- Created ILM’s brand presence at Siggraph 2000 consisting of booth, ad, t-shirt and invite design.
EDUCATION
Cal Poly State University / San Luis Obispo, CA
Major: Art & Design / Degree: BS
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION:
General Assembly / Various online classes on UX and Digital Marketing
UC Berkeley Extension / Berkeley, CA: Entrepreneurial and Brand Strategy Classes
SF State Extended Education / San Francisco, CA: Interaction Design Theory
Art Center College of Design / Pasadena, CA: Art Center at Night
SKILLS
Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Spark, Rush, Premiere)
Figma
Google Workspace, Slack, Jira, Confluence
Print production Expertise
Illustration Skills (varied styles)
Cal Poly State University / San Luis Obispo, CA
Major: Art & Design / Degree: BS
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION:
General Assembly / Various online classes on UX and Digital Marketing
UC Berkeley Extension / Berkeley, CA: Entrepreneurial and Brand Strategy Classes
SF State Extended Education / San Francisco, CA: Interaction Design Theory
Art Center College of Design / Pasadena, CA: Art Center at Night
SKILLS
Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Spark, Rush, Premiere)
Figma
Google Workspace, Slack, Jira, Confluence
Print production Expertise
Illustration Skills (varied styles)
RECOGNITION
Communication Arts Design Annual
Creative Review
D&AD International Awards
FAB Awards
Graphis Design Annuals
HOW Magazine Design Annual
The One Show Awards
Penta International Awards
Print Magazine Regional Design Annual
San Francisco International Wine Competition
Wolda Logo Design Awards
And more
Communication Arts Design Annual
Creative Review
D&AD International Awards
FAB Awards
Graphis Design Annuals
HOW Magazine Design Annual
The One Show Awards
Penta International Awards
Print Magazine Regional Design Annual
San Francisco International Wine Competition
Wolda Logo Design Awards
And more
EXTRA
AIGA Membership
AIGA Design Week committee (2 yrs)
Portfolio reviewer at schools & events
Visiting Lecturer at Universities
SPARK Mentor (2 terms)
AIGA Membership
AIGA Design Week committee (2 yrs)
Portfolio reviewer at schools & events
Visiting Lecturer at Universities
SPARK Mentor (2 terms)
SOME NICE WORDS
“When I think of Shawn three words come to mind: Creative, Talented and Fearless."
Kathy Whaley Sammarco / Marketing Leader
“Highly creative visual concepts, incredibly responsive and accommodating to our requests, and just generally wonderful."
Mark Skoulchi / Catchword
"His professionalism, experience, knowledge, tact and timeliness only begin to scratch the surface. Shawn's real tour de force lies in his tremendous creative talent and design skill."
Romano Palenzona / FreshForward Beverages
“The best designer in the business."
Christine Lilienthal / DFV Wines