Jim Mann

Freelance Senior Art Director

2013 – Present

Designing and art directing print and web for various clients including, KIA Motors, Saturn Motors, United Health Care, International Motorcycle Shows, Hoehn Motors San DIego, PUMA Golf, Live Oak Bank, Bledsoe and Von Dutch Originals, to name a few.

1. Provided contract-based art direction and graphic design for diverse clients and agencies across San Diego and Los Angeles, delivering projects that increased client sales and brand equity.

2. Delivered comprehensive design solutions, from concept development to final artwork, across print, digital, and multimedia platforms, resulting in improved brand perception and customer engagement.

3. Built and maintained client relationships through effective communication, project management, and on-time delivery, ensuring a 95% client retention rate.

4. Managed project budgets, vendor coordination, and invoicing, ensuring seamless execution of creative initiatives while optimizing resources and controlling costs.

Founder | Creative Director

2024 – Present

Founded and created Sk8zzles Skateboard puzzles as a passion project in 2024 as a way for skateboard collectors to collect their favorite skateboard graphics as full-sized jigsaw puzzles.

Sk8zzles are 500-piece, full skateboard-sized puzzle with background (measures 12" x 34"); suitable for hanging/framing, or challenge yourself again and again...

Sk8zzles come in a 12'x12'x2.25" shrink wrapped box with puzzle pieces sealed in a poly bag and are perfect for skateboard collectors, aficionados and fun for all ages.

Sr. Graphic Designer

2023 – 2024

1. Led art direction, design, and production for all marketing materials across Extended Learning programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, global education, and professional certificates, resulting in increased enrollment and program visibility.

2. Collaborated with internal teams and stakeholders to present and refine creative solutions, ensuring alignment with marketing strategies and brand standards, leading to more cohesive brand storytelling.

3. Designed and executed integrated print and digital advertising campaigns, driving a 20% increase in audience engagement and enhancing brand awareness.

4. Spearheaded innovative solutions to complex marketing challenges, improving creative output efficiency by 25% and strengthening brand consistency.

Senior Art Director

2017 – 2020

Publicis Hawkeye is an experience oriented CRM agency specializing in effective 1:1 customer connections actualized through world-class data. Reporting directly to the Creative Director, as Sr. Art Director, I was responsible for leading the art direction and design for branding, ads, brochures, Direct Mail, digital advertising and web pages for major national brands such as Blue Shield of California, San Diego Zoo, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), as well as most of the major Health and Fitness clubs in the U.S.A. including Gold’s Gym and 24 Hour Fitness.

• Thought leader continually developing new creative print and digital advertising for clients from concept to completion • Presenting new creative and building strong alliances with clients and business partners • Managing artwork with Designers and Production Artists. • Created compelling marketing campaigns that won new business and retained current clients • Designed deliverables for multiple ongoing projects, ensuring that goals, objectives, timelines, and budgets were met in accordance with brands. • Worked together with copywriter partner to create innovative and cutting-edge campaigns

Freelance Sr. Art Director

2015 – 2017

Publicis Hawkeye is an experience oriented CRM agency specializing in effective 1:1 customer connections actualized through world-class data. Reporting directly to the Creative Director, as Sr. Art Director, I was responsible for leading the art direction and design for branding, ads, brochures, Direct Mail, digital advertising and web pages for major national brands such as Blue Shield of California, San Diego Zoo, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), as well as most of the major Health and Fitness clubs in the U.S.A. including Gold’s Gym and 24 Hour Fitness.

• Thought leader continually developing new creative print and digital advertising for clients from concept to completion • Presenting new creative and building strong alliances with clients and business partners • Managing artwork with Designers and Production Artists. • Created compelling marketing campaigns that won new business and retained current clients • Designed deliverables for multiple ongoing projects, ensuring that goals, objectives, timelines, and budgets were met in accordance with brands. • Worked together with copywriter partner to create innovative and cutting-edge campaigns

Freelance Sr. Designer

2015 – 2015

As Sr. Art Director reporting directly to the Creative Director, I art directed and designed for branding, print ads, brochures, Direct Mail, digital advertising and web pages for various clients in the medical device industry.

Freelance Sr. Art Director/Graphic Designer

2013 – 2013

MDG is the leading marketing agency for Tradeshows and conventions all across America. As a contract Art director, I was Responsible for art direction and design of websites, digital advertising, print ads, brochures, logos for clients in the tradeshow and convention industry.

• Created compelling marketing campaigns that won new business and retained current clients • Designed deliverables for multiple ongoing projects, ensuring that goals, objectives, timelines, and budgets were met in accordance with brands. • Worked together with copywriter partner to create innovative and cutting-edge campaigns

Sr. Art Director

2012 – 2012

Associate Creative Director reporting directly to the Creative Director, I art directed and designed for branding, print ads, brochures, Direct Mail, digital advertising and web pages for various clients such as PUMA Golf, International Motorcycle Shows, Qualcomm, Live Oak Bank, Bledsoe medical devices.

Sr. Art Director

2011 – 2012

Leading San Diego Advertising agency I was Responsible for leading award-winning art direction and graphic design for clients such as Qualcomm, Puma Golf, Live Oak Bank, Bledsoe Braces and International Motorcycle Shows.

• Created compelling marketing campaigns that won new business and retained current clients • Designed deliverables for multiple ongoing projects, ensuring that goals, objectives, timelines, and budgets were met in accordance with brands. • Worked together with copywriter partner to create innovative and cutting-edge campaigns • Art Directed Photo and Video shoots

Associate Creative Director

2010 – 2011

At the David & Goliath office in Frankfurt, Germany, I worked alongside the Creative Director as a two-man team and was responsible for the visual conception and design of all print and television advertising for Kia Motors Company, Germany.

• Art Direction of concept, visuals and graphic design • Monthly and weekly Photo, video and radio art direction of successful Print, TV and Radio campaigns for Kia Motors, Germany. • Meeting and pitching to German and Korean Executives of KIA Motor

Sr. Art Director

2009 – 2010

Leading San Diego Advertising agency I was Responsible for leading award-winning art direction and graphic design for clients such as Qualcomm, Puma Golf, Live Oak Bank, Bledsoe Braces and International Motorcycle Shows.

• Created compelling marketing campaigns that won new business and retained current clients • Designed deliverables for multiple ongoing projects, ensuring that goals, objectives, timelines, and budgets were met in accordance with brands. • Worked together with copywriter partner to create innovative and cutting-edge campaigns • Art Directed Photo and Video shoots

Sr. Art Director

2006 – 2007

Freelance Sr. Art Director reporting directly to the Creative Director, I art directed and designed for branding, print ads, brochures, Direct Mail, digital advertising and web pages for United Healthcare, GM, TGI Fridays, Helio Mobile, Saturn, Fresh & Easy and DirecTV.

Creaitve Director

1997 – 1999

Art Director

1995 – 1997

Graphic Designer

1995 – 1996

Silk Screener

1989 – 1991

Centerville High School

1985 – 1989

Graphic Design / Photography

1993 – 1995

Graphic Design / Photography

1989 – 1993

BRAND-X AND TOXIC SKATEBOARDS

For the last three years, I have been designing original skateboard deck and wheel graphics, as well as re-producing classic skateboard graphics for Brand-X and Toxic Skateboards.

Brand-X and Toxic have been one of the most influential skateboard brands since the early 1980s.

Sk8zzles skateboard puzzles

I founded and created Sk8zzles Skateboard puzzles as a passion project in 2024 as a way for skateboard collectors to collect their favorite skateboard graphics as full-sized jigsaw puzzles.

Sk8zzles are 500-piece, full skateboard-sized puzzle with background (measures 12" x 34"); suitable for hanging/framing, or challenge yourself again and again...

Sk8zzles come in a 12'x12'x2.25" shrink wrapped box with puzzle pieces sealed in a poly bag and are perfect for skateboard collectors, aficionados and fun for all ages.