Mark Kawakami
Senior Graphic Designer · Mattel - Hot Wheels Packaging Design Department - Advance Play Group
Lakewood, CA
In My Own Words
Self-initiating, proactive professional with a 20+ year creative work history with proven demonstration of the following: • Ability to drive results with effective use of interpersonal and communications skills, resulting in accountability, understanding, and consensus among team members • Success at developing and growing partnerships by promoting creativity and in recognizing the diversity and contributions of others • Leadership abilities, initiative, and “taking charge” by performing extensive due diligence that result in creative solutions • Strong problem solving and organization skills that keep projects in focus and “on track” • Ownership of responsibilities with a strong work ethic, resulting in comprehensive and detailed work
Work Experience
Senior Graphic Designer
Mattel - Hot Wheels Packaging Design Department - Advance Play Group2017 – Present
Worked in partnership with marketing and product design to develop packaging for newly created toys. • Create brand identities and product stories for new Hot Wheels Advance Play toys • Art direct product photography for new packaging designs to convey product play patterns • Collaborate closely with outside design agencies to ensure projects are delivered on time and created to the ideas and concepts provided • Manage and art direct graphic designers at the Mattel Asia office on final art and production materials needed for print • Design digital app assets with outside vendors to ensure the brand consistency to the product
Freelance
Joyrides Art Company2007 – 2018
Highly skilled in photographing custom motorcycles, hot rods, real estate, products and action sports. Create logos, publications, letterhead, business cards, apparel graphics and branding (i.e., signage, look books, catalogs, posters). Portfolio consists of many clients in national publications, real estate brokers and apparel companies
Co Founder-Creative and Marketing Director
The Speed Merchant2007 – 2018
Aftermarket motorcycle parts and apparel company. Led all efforts of design including web development, graphic design, catalogs and photography. Since conception, the company has grown into a self-sustaining entity resulting in partnerships with Harley Davidson, Pabst Blue Ribbon, MoTul Motor Oil and distribution through Drag Specialties catalog
Mattel - Hot Wheels Brand Creative
Senior Graphic Designer (Contractor – 2nd assignment) – Hot Wheels Brand Creative Department2017 – 2017
Focused on supporting the Creative Director with finalizing marketing materials for the Hot Wheels diecast toys and playsets. • Created marketing materials ranging from logos, point of purchase, promotional materials and advertising • Facilitated final designs for advertising, merchandise posters, promotional banners and helped with the gallery redesign
Senior Graphic Designer - Freelance
Loser Machine / Dark Seas2017 – 2017
Responsible for creating new graphics and images to support the upcoming season of products. • Created logos, labels for apparel and retail window signage that successfully communicated brand message to targeted customers • Led the photography efforts for brand lifestyle, action and products to catalog and utilize for marketing and advertising efforts
Senior Graphic Designer - Contractor
Red Bull Media House2016 – 2016
Create digital assets to promote new media to be premiered on Red Bull TV. • Managed projects of select titles and designed digital banners to showcase on the Red Bull network
Art Director
Body Glove International1994 – 2016
Created graphics for all Body Glove products, responsible for designing every aspect of marketing material to support the brand. • Managed two graphic designers by overseeing projects assigned and maintaining on time project timelines • Developed and created marketing materials for the brand that included advertisements, brand books, style guides, point of purchase, online marketing, tradeshows and special events • Created tradeshow graphics for company tradeshow booth. Executed the production and ensured on time delivery of final assets • Collaborated with Marketing and Video departments to create graphics and marketing materials for company produced movies such as; “Drop Zone” and “Live from the Moon” • Conducted and directed photoshoots of products and lifestyle for marketing purposes • Developed and created a monthly publication distributed in the South Bay communities to promote the brand and stimulate sales at the core retail shops
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