Matthew Novak

Creative Director + Brand Enthusiast | Never tubed enough

Charleston | US

Skills

Communication
Music Marketing
Brand Development
Branding
Creative Strategy

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Interests

rivers

linocut

Backpacking

Running

Surfing

Travel

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Industries

Creative Agencies

Fishing

Lifestyle

Music

Outdoor

Run

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Home Summary Activity Projects Work experience Education history Connections Companies

In my own words

— Matthew

I'm a multidisciplinary Creative Director with more than 20 years of experience leading brand, marketing, content, and design work for some of the world's most recognizable names.

My past work includes projects for Bon Appétit, Spotify, West Elm, several emerging startups in tech and lifestyle as well as photo stints with The New York Times, Food & Wine, and more. My background bridges editorial storytelling, in-house creative leadership, and agency collaboration. I specialize in building brand systems that are both strategically grounded and emotionally resonant. I enjoy working where brand and product meet, helping companies tell clearer stories, connect with their audiences, and grow with purpose. In my current role at Sod Solutions, I lead a full-stack internal agency across B2B and B2C marketing, design, content, and digital. Our work has helped drive more than $1.6 million in new revenue within 18 months by improving messaging, evolving the visual identity, and optimizing the full customer journey. Above all, I believe in people-first design. I aim to create thoughtful teams, useful experiences, and brands that feel honest and human. I'm always open to connecting with others who are building meaningful things.

Trajectory

Jan 2023 — Now

Creative Director · Sod Solutions

SodSolutions is a cutting edge Ag/SaaS company developing products to increase productivity, organization and output in the outdoor industry. My role as the Creative Director is to oversee the look and feel for all of our business units as well help lead a team of designers, copywriters and developers through quarterly and bi-monthly sprints to ensure operations are working in a constant incremental improvement mentality.

Dec 2013 — Apr 2022

Creative Director · Emergence Church

As the Creative Director at an ever-growing church in North Jersey Matthew is tasked with partnering with the Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor to craft insightful human-driven designs that connect both a congregation of Christians as well as reaching out into culture at large to captivate and pique interest. Matthew leads a small team of employees as well as a large stable of talented freelancers and volunteers to deliver products from published books, microsites, in-person large-format creative, and more.

Mar 2020 — Jun 2021

Interim Chief Creative Officer · Christian Planner

as the Interim CCO of Christian Planner, I was not only tasked with re-branding and voicing the company but also managing domestic and overseas contract artists while partnering with the CEO, CFO, and CMO to present, protect and push forward consistent look and feel through the launch of new products and updating evergreen products in the CP catalog. During my time at CP, I oversaw the successful first launch of the company's only apparel line to date as well as a number of new product offerings.

Jan 2015 — Jan 2019

Partner // Creative Director · Traverse Co.

Traverse Co. Started as a web design company focused on small businesses and young creators and has since then blossomed into a boutique agency that serves companies in the outdoor segment. Traverse is most recently responsible for creating content for Big Agnes and the Digital launch of the newly founded MyTrail Co e-commerce site. As the partner and creative director I am responsible for overseeing the look and feel of all design & cinematography as well as partnering to create photo vignettes and crafting stories that bring clients' products into the lifestyle arena.

Jun 2013 — Jul 2014

Digital Art Director - West Elm · Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

• Managing a team of 8 designers from junior up to mid-level • Art Direction for all digital products including a redesign of ecomm site • Maintain seasonal point of purchase look and feel inside the digital space via banners and emails • Work closely with Art directors from Photo & Catalog departments to create cross-team artwork that would serve the company in all avenues

Feb 2013 — Apr 2013

Visual Design · Spotify

I am currently working with Spotify as a visual design consultant working on a number of projects from in-house project branding to merchandising, and design. Most of the work involves custom vector based illustrations and concepting from start to finish.

Jun 2012 — Dec 2013

Designer & Animator · Bon Appetit

Bon Appétit is one of the largest food magazines in America, and one of Condé Nast’s most popular publications. My role at Bon Appétit consisted of creative design of the monthly tablet version of each video. This task was split between myself and one other designer, while we managed a small team of production artists. In addition, I was solely responsible for all the animation content in each issue.