Candida Infante
Senior Designer · Empire Southwest
springfield, MO
In My Own Words
I am a creative design professional with 20+ years of successful project delivery; skilled in creating and developing brand identity, designing for web, print, & apparel. I am a hands-on conceptional art director with excellent project management skills & adept at creative consultation. With my combined talents I can analyze needs, initiate strategy, and produce materials within project scope. Portfolio: www.candidacreates.com
Work Experience
Senior Designer
Empire Southwest2019 – Present
Design for print that includes brochures, direct mail, catalogues, stickers, signage, and billboards. Digital pieces I have produced include advertising for social channels, internet advertising, and website development of new sections and landing pages. Was involved in the creative development and UI of a new website that included e-commerce. Video editing/animation that I developed included sourcing and procuring appropriate production software along with editing and producing videos for external company promotion on YouTube and internal safety videos that were then publicly broadcasted on YouTube. I also created all videos used to communicate corporate values and products for both the parent company and its subsidiaries. Photography/video direction projects include storyboards, creating a shot list, and managing a production crew. All collateral projects that I’ve been involved in have required either photography or video that either I shoot myself, or if budget allows, a crew is hired. I am involved in the vetting of all outside resources that are used for creative production. Ensuring accuracy of brand guidelines & brand style guides are also a part of my responsibilities.
Art Director
Think Tank Media ad Marketing2017 – 2019
Manage designers and freelance talent throughout design, copywriting, advertising campaigns and brand development. Executed high level creative campaigns for multiple industries including: home improvement, events, and automotive. Create overall brand strategy for nationwide clients and startups which included strategy, target audience, tone/voice, photography styling. Responsible for managing budgets, projects and created process to streamline workflow.
Art Director
RealWorld Marketing2016 – 2017
Lead a team of copywriters, designers, production artists and photographers and execute high-level digital, print and video creative for Tier 2 campaigns for Acura and Honda regional dealer associations. Providing art and overall direction for photography. Offers support to the rest of the team and Creative Director and Account Executives. Ensure creative concepts align with overall brand strategies, while meeting marketing objectives, staying on budget and on schedule. Provides clear direction and oversight to creative team to execute creative concepts. Work to create work flow processes and appropriate pipelines for tasks.
Senior Art Director/Brand Manager
Bass Pro Shops/White River Marine Group2013 – 2016
Create overall look feel and brand strategy for four industry leading boat brands. Manage video, digital and print campaigns to bring awareness to the brands while also ensuring campaigns adhere to the marketing strategy. Create and present brand strategy documents to leadership while planning photo/video shoots, and managing budgets. Lead a team of copywriters, production artists, photographers, and videographers, and offer support to other internal teams and the creative manager. Create and ensure creative concepts align with strategies, while meeting marketing objectives, staying on budget and on schedule for year end launch. Provide clear direction and oversight to all teams involved. Travel to location photo/video shoots and provide direction while managing a crew of 11-13 photographers, videographers and assistants.
Lead Designer - Installer Marketing
O'Reilly Auto Parts2006 – 2013
Design corporate identity and branding for house brand while ensuring overall corporate branding is used correctly. Create logos, brochures, direct mail pieces, large format graphics, t-shirts, web layout and design, web banners and POS materials. Directed photo shoots and monitor quality at press checks. Worked with marketing team to develop retail campaigns as well as B2B campaigns. Lead a team of designers in the development of POP materials and product catalogs. I also worked with the Motorsport and event marketing to create event materials, and advertising to niche markets.
