Summary
Designer and creative strategist with over 20 years of experience originating and managing creative assets with a deep understanding of creative content and CPG product development. Small business owner that brings an entrepreneurial spirit to problem solving, including experience and excitement developing end-to-end solutions from ideation through manufacturing all the way to digital and physical storefronts. A hands-on illustrator with a particular focus on creative content who also excels at managing and collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams of illustrators, editors, photographers, social media staff, and manufacturers.
Principal, Ana Davis, Ltd.
Runs a consultancy that focuses on providing end-to-end creative support to startups
Designs and executes logos, packaging, brand language, style guides, graphic layout, and photo retouching for clients
Manages creative content, including photography and editorial, for all aspects of products and their development
Develops creative content for publishing, social media, and social expressions products
Consults with DTC brands on development of physical product profiles
Develops artwork for bespoke products licensed by more than 25 wholesale manufacturers
Works with executives, project managers, sales and marketing teams to set goals and schedules
Follows trends and forecasts design objectives for art, illustration, and color palettes
Directs design staff, licensees, and manufacturers in executing quality, on-brand products
Ensures brand continuity across digital and print media for in-house brands
Designs template-based websites, newsletters, web graphics
Creative Director
New Seasons, Publications International, Ltd.
Aug. 2002–Nov. 2012
Worked with CEO, sales, and manufacturing team to develop and produce social expressions products for mass-market retailers
Managed team of designers, illustrators, editors, and photographers in CPG development
Directed and brainstormed editorial content, illustrations, and photo shoots
Expanded retail footprints by inventing new formats such as Dress-up™ paper doll kits
Planned and directed product packaging and photo shoots
Executed sales objectives for client presentations
Developed new custom private label products for retail buyers
Inaugurated design and manufacturing processes with creative staff
Coordinated product reviews and confirmed production was on schedule
Wrote annual reviews and recommended compensation for design staff
Communicated manufacturing objectives with overseas vendors
Managing Art Director
PI Kids
March 2001–Aug. 2002:
Oversaw all art direction for children’s books department at wholesale publisher
Managed and mentored team of Art Directors and Art Assistants
Ensured adhesion to style guides and brand specifications for major international character brands and licensed properties
Reviewed and approved story development, illustrations, and editorial continuity
Ensured licensee approval at all stages of art and story development
Character brands included Disney Princess, Barbie, plus properties owned by Pixar, Nickelodeon, Marvel, Sesame Workshop, Dreamworks and more
Art Director, Associate Art Director, Art Assistant
PI Kids
Brainstormed, proposed, and thumbnailed book concepts
Directed freelance illustrators in execution of book art
Designed covers and interior layouts for books
Set-up production files, created die-cuts, and made art corrections to meet licensor approvals and prepare files for production
Directed photography for packaging, catalogs, and various book titles
Designed and built product mock-ups and prototypes
Education
Carnegie Mellon University, BFA with Honors
Instituto Profesional Arcos, Santiago, Chile
Rhode Island School of Design, Art & Design summer program
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Art & Design summer program