Mark Johnson
Brand Designer · Anton Kimball Design
Portland, OR
In My Own Words
My name is Mark.
I am a Creative Director / Visual Communications & Brand Designer with just over 12 years in the design world. That’s just fancy talk for I’m a rookie with 12 years of preparation work for your next project.
Being a native Oregonian and living in S.E. Portland, I have a keen since of that “Keep Portland Weird” vibe.
I’ve been told I have an unwavering eye for detail and an uncompromising drive for perfection. In actuality I’m just obsessive over continuity and compulsive over spatial relativity, (the space between objects in conjunction with their working area) not to be confused with special relativity, the theory proposed by Albert Einstein that describes the propagation of matter and light at high speeds…
I have developed the core look and feel of multiple sucessful brands and companies. I have directed the design process for many products, events and publications. I take ideas and transform them into a profit making reality.
Work Experience
Graphic Designer General Merchandise Apparel & home goods
Kroger2012 – 2014
• Manage communication and directives to contract designers • Initiate and conduct product development strategy meetings • Develop and update in-store directional and waypoint signage • Create prints and graphics for both home and apparel categories • Prepare table layout diagrams for in store products and displays • Maintain knowledge of current print/design trends, graphic techniques and software
Lead Designer
Grenade Gloves2010 – 2012
• Manage communication, budget and directives to internal and external designers • Create product catalogs and marketing materials for online, print and trade shows • Develop event branding and waypoint graphics for indoor and outdoor events • Manage and ensure brand identity through the entire process of product development • Oversee tech pack production and propose new apparel artwork to big box retailers • Develop and ensure product creation time lines from start to finish
Lead Designer
Kroger Foods/Fred Meyer2008 – 2009
• Direct and assist in weekly retail product photo shoots • Concept and design promo ads, product displays and seasonal retail POP • Evaluate each marketing projects’ over-all aesthetics to assure brand integrity • Set up and lead meetings with vendors and buyers to forecast ad placements
Lead Designer
Phoenix Gold2007 – 2008
• Manage the creative direction of all marketing initiatives for both print and web • Develop trade show booth graphics, layouts and product package design • Source printing companies for trade show and event collateral • Create functional design solutions for the sales and marketing team • Illustrate and design monthly ads for national and international publications
Art Director
Flossin' Magazine2006 – 2007
• Manage a creative team of two designers and two copywriters • Organize ad placement for clients such as Nike, Cricket, Mercedes Benz and others • Coordinate weekly strategy briefs, direct photo shoots and manage project budgets • Collect and organize all media files pertaining to the creation of the publication • Color correct images and maintain company share files
Graphic Designer
Flossin' Magazine2004 – 2006
• Collect and organize all files to be used for print • Assist in building page templates • Assist in editing photography • Build leading page layouts
