About - Art Director

Focused on art direction, visual communication, branding, print and digital design, project management and photography. My most recent branding and design clients include Delta Zeta National Sorority, Mizner Design and Library Interiors of Texas. Aside from my creative projects, I've also founded Bache Boutique, an online shop for bridal apparel and accessories. I'm currently seeking opportunities to collaborate with clients or a team to develop their branding and marketing communications. 

My previous experience includes over 2.5 years as the lead of visual and creative within the Corporate MarCom department, and additionally 5 years as a freelance brand designer. My previous team has described me as hardworking, devoted under pressure, progressive, strong at problem solving, and versatile among projects. I'm successful working with a team, and will stay focused when working independently. In my free time, I get inspiration through music festivals, sprint triathlons, foodie events, museums, and travel.

Skills

+ visual direction
+ creative direction
+ branding & identity
+ project management
+ print & digital design
+ photoshoot creative direction
+ photography
+ copywriting
+ events

Award

2014 Best Brochure, The Society for Marketing Professional Services

Tool Kit

Adobe Creative Cloud, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Bridge, Microsoft Office, WordPress, Basic HTML/CSS, Canon DSLR Camera

Experience

Freelance Art Director / Brand Designer   >   SarahChiu.com   >   10/2015 – Current

• Develops creative and brand identity. Creates concepts for logos, branding systems, website UI/UX, tagline concepts, headline concepts, mid-level photography, print and digital marketing materials.
• Creates marketing communications for print and digital mediums, advertising, large-scale signage, social media planning and content creation, email marketing, and events.
• Manages concept, location and model scouting and coordination for photoshoots. Develops creative strategy, photoshoot coordination, location and model scouting, and creative direction for photoshoots.

Founder / Creative Director / Designer   >   BacheBoutique.com   >   2/2016 – Current

• Bache Boutique is an online web boutique for brides, bridal parties, and bachelorette parties.
• Created branding, photography, online marketing, and conference display

Corporate Art Director  >  American Campus Communities > 5/2014 – 10/2015

• Directed visual standards and brand strategy. Managed the company’s visual brand standards for all print and digital marketing mediums. Projects included brochures, ads, interior and exterior signage, billboards, vehicle wraps, conference booths, videos, website UI/UX, touchscreen applications, email marketing, presentations and more.
• Managed projects for corporate marketing department. Collaborated with in-house departments to translate marketing objectives, develop campaign strategy, identify a timeline for deliverables, create headline messaging, and provide project management from concept through to completion.
• Creative director for photo shoots. Provided strategy, coordination, location scouting, model scouting, creative direction, and post-production management for brand photography shoots.
• Managed projects with production design team. Translated creative direction and visual concepts to the graphic design team, and ensured deliverables were staying within the brand standards, schedule and scope of project.
• Multi-tasked efficiently. Organized, clear with communication, and delegated work effectively for projects and events. Enjoyed identifying process inefficiencies and providing solutions for improvement.
• Lead events for company culture and charity fundraising. Jointly spearheaded a team that planned and organized monthly corporate initiatives and American Campus Charity Foundation events.

Corporate Graphic Designer  >  American Campus Communities > 3/2013 – 5/2014

Designed print and digital corporate marketing mediums. Items include ads, grand opening and ground breaking event signage, collateral, presentations, UX/UI direction, event photography, tagline copywriting, and event planning/coordination.

Freelance Creative & Brand Designer  >  SarahChiu.com > 1/2010 – 4/2013

Created branding concepts. Worked with small local companies to develop identity, visual direction of print and digital collateral, taglines, website UI, and managed print production. The print items included billboards, direct mailers, flyers, email marketing, business cards, T-shirts, and promotional marketing.

Graphic Designer  >  American Campus Communities > 5/2008 – 3/2013

Highly efficient production graphic designer. Worked with a small team to design marketing materials for more than 200 student housing properties nationwide. The items included print ads, postcards, direct mail promotions, brochures, email blasts, animated email blasts, and T-shirts.

Creative Designer  >  CAK+Associates > 3/2007 – 5/2008

A marketing–focused designer for a small–sized ad agency that created client branding, ad campaigns, managed accounts, promoted the company at weekly business networking meetings, and planned and directed events for clients.

Graphic Designer & Studio Manager  >  Rob Buck Studios > 9/2006 – 3/2007

Assisted the creative director with the concept and design of logos, print advertising, campaigns, billboards, website identity, and copywriting of taglines.

Photo shoot coordination, location and model scouting.
Collaborated with Sherry Matthews and the client, TXDOT, to create multi-medium campaigns including internet videos, commercials, print ads, and marketing events to promote TX Tag, Click It or Ticket, andWho’sDrivingTonight.com.

Studio Manager  >  Brio Photography > 1/2005 – 3/2006

Photographer’s assistant, graphic designer, and studio manager that provided photo shoot coordination, location and model scouting, and studio marketing strategy.

Info

Austin, TX

info@sarahchiu.com