Frank Varela

Arlington | United States

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Music

Design

Art

Movies

And pop culture in general

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In my own words

— Frank

My name is Frank Varela.

I am a seasoned and highly creative graphic designer. I have worked as a high-level and hands on Art Director and Creative Director for packaging at Mattel, Spin Master, Funko, and Brightz. Prior to my tenure in CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods), I have had many years in the entertainment industry working for companies like Warner Bros, Fox, and Disney. My package designs have won awards, and my logos have been published and featured in numerous books and magazines. On a personal note, I am a passionate, driven, easy-going, collaborative, thoughtful and very entrepreneurial. Professionally, I am an adaptable designer, strategic, can think outside the box, capable of successfully leading a department/team, and always delivers on outstanding plus thought provoking design on time and within budget. I have an innate and deep understanding on how to build, direct, and strategically maintain successful brands both in print and digital. Here is a list of properties I have worked on that you might have heard of: DC UNIVERSE, JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED, KUNG-FU PANDA, BATMAN BEGINS, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, GHOSTBUSTERS, HE-MAN & THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, The WATCHMEN, The X-Files, PAW Patrol, Rusty Rivets, STAR WARS: The Force Awakens, AEROBIE, Swimways, COOP Hydro, ZhuZhu Pets, and FUNKO. <a href="https://linktr.ee/themrfrankpdfs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PORTFOLIO</a>

Trajectory

Aug 2023 — Now

Senior Packaging Designer · CEPIA, LLC

Design and create packaging and branding for toys. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure brand consistency.

Oct 2022 — Jul 2023

Creative Director and Designer · FREELANCE

Provided freelance design services for clients nationwide, specializing in branding and packaging design.

Sep 2021 — Jul 2022

Creative Director · BRIGHTZ LTD

Manage the creative process from concept to completion, work in partnership with Brightz staff on retail package designs, supervise plus mentor a young creative staff, collaborate with management to create strategic marketing plans, interface with freelancers/outside vendors, manage the Brightz brand campaigns across all channels both in print and all digital media platforms.

Jan 2020 — Jun 2020

Senior Packaging Designer · FUNKO

Creation and design of specialty and intellectual property packaging. Position was cut short due to company's issues during the financial crisis brought on by Covid 19.

Dec 2016 — Jul 2019

Director of Creative Services · SWIMWAYS (Outdoor GBU for SPIN MASTER)

Overseeing the design of packaging and internal/external marcom projects, art directing photo shoots as well as sales/promotional videos, directing the design of rebrands as well as gate-keeping the execution of existing brands, managing the creative services staff workload, mentoring members of my team, negotiating with as well as maintaining a stable of reliable freelancers/outside vendors, and staying within budget for the year.

Sep 2015 — Nov 2016

Senior Packaging Designer · SPIN MASTER

Designing as well as the creation of toy packaging for preschool toy brands (PAW Patrol, Rusty Rivets).

Sep 2004 — May 2013

Project Designer (Art Director) of Boys Packaging · MATTEL

Design and art direction of toy packaging for both mass distribution and collector markets, manage and coordinate projects with vendors and counterparts of the Mattel Hong Kong office, organize and lead brainstorms for best strategic positioning of product with marketing and product design departments.

Jul 2002 — Apr 2003

Senior Manager of Design & Brand Services · ABC CABLE NETWORKS GROUP (DISNEY)

Design and art direction of trade show graphics, premiums, and satisfying company wide design needs.

Jun 2000 — Jul 2002

Senior Design Manager of Creative Resources International · FOX FAMILY/SABAN

Design and art direction of one sheets, trade show graphics, sales collateral for MIPCOM (an international trade show), and oversaw freelancers as well as other creative staff.