Linda Alvarado
Linda Alvarado
Creative Swiss Army Knife:
Creative Direction, Art Direction, Branding, Design, Photography, Illustration, UX/UI, Copywriting, Editing, Print, Digital, CPG, Problem Solving, Innovating...
Phone:
Email:
Address:
14522 Oak Bend Dr.
Houston, TX 77079
A Bit About Me
A passionate and highly creative Creative professional with 20+ years of experience in print, CPG, web design, branding, POS, digital assets and infographics and developing design solutions for large and small businesses, agencies, and national and international brands.
Demonstrates management skills that enhance organizational performance. Diverse skill set in a variety of project types and the nuances of each. A skilled mentor, able to organize creative workflow and direct creative teams to leverage their strengths in meeting project goals on time and within budget.
Expert mastery of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign as well as quick adaptability to alternate technical applications as beneficial. Adept at coordinating design to conform to legal, FDA and USDA regulations required by food, cosmetics, and retail industries. Exceptional written communication skills combined with ability to implement innovative solutions, deliver on-time projects, and oversee design development to boost brand awareness and recognition.
Has worked with numerous high profile clients including Coca-Cola, Anheuser Busch, Pernod Ricard, Remy Cointreau, Minute Maid, Weight Watchers, Disney, Sazarac, RiceTec, Naturesweet, HP, Pennzoil, Shell, Imperial Sugar, Sysco Foods, and Time, Inc.
Work Experience
PATRICK HENRY CREATIVE PROMOTIONS, Houston, TX
2019-current
Art Director
Previously: Senior Designer and Creative Operations Lead, Senior Designer and Digital Lead
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Designed print and digital assets for multiple AE’s servicing 50+ restaurant, beverage, hospitality and luxury clients
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Brainstormed naming, promotional campaigns, activations and value-added programs
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Art directed photography, retouching, illustration and manufacturing as well as provided these services as needed
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Spearheaded in-house QR code and web design program, appropriately trained creative services staff, resulting in a new stream of creative revenue and touchless menu delivery for clients such as Delaware North, in respose to COVID-19 pandemic protocols
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Proposed and implemented in-house photography capabilities, as well as the set up of an in-house studio, adding a new creative revenue stream, reducing reliance on outside vendors for headshot, event, and product photography and the capacity to take on clients with a wider variety of needs
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Proposed, designed and created beverage program website for Delaware North resulting in streamlined information updating and greatly improved ease-of-use for Sports Services, Travel and Hospitality, and Resort and Theme Park affiliates nationwide
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Re-envisioned and produced company newsletter, transforming it from an internal single-sheet printout to a 28-page quarterly print and digital publication with two editors, rotating contributors, enhanced digital content and approximately 1500 subscribers
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Upheld a company culture of enthusiasm and positive thinking; co-president of company book club
PERFECT FIT MEALS, Houston, TX
2016-2019
Creative Director
Previously: Art Director
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Managed creative across multiple form factors for parent and 3 sister companies’ multi-SKU product lines; oversaw design, production, brand voice, adherance to brand standards and new product creative development
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Collaborated with Marketing Director to analyze and define market parameters, conceptualize and develop strategic print, video, trade show, large scale, experiential and digital marketing campaigns and positioning
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Rebranded company portfolio accommodating consumer and focus group feedback, manufacturing logistics, FDA and USDA guidelines, and marketing input
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Created company website as well as product resources that led to expansion into club store and in food service markets
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Supervised, and trained when necessary, staff, contract personnel and social media content creators to keep creative contributions diverse yet on-brand
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Developed organizational systems to ensure sales force consistently had complete, accurate and up-to-date sales resources
SYNERGY DESIGN, Houston, TX 1994-current
Freelance Creative
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Consulted with clients to define and advise on their brand’s visual language and ideate on how to implement this to maximize brand awareness and ROI including development and refinement of digital and social media campaigns
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Designed branding and promotional materials for various clients, which included logo design, print materials, signage, POP displays, CD covers, posters, magazine ads, presentations, infographics, stationery and digital assets
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Copywriting, illustration, photography, retouching and prototyping as needed
CMA - CREATIVE MARKETING ASSOCIATES, Houston, TX
1992-2014
Senior Designer/Art Director
Freelance Creative, 2014-2015
Previously: Intern, Designer
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Collaborated with clients, creative directors, and account executives to analyze each client’s brand’s visual impact and conceptualize branding and design solutions that efficiently maximize positioning, creativity, ROI and capabilities
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Directed teams of typically 4 designers and production staff, as well as outside vendors for photography, illustration, food styling and copywriting as well as providing these services as needed
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Spearheaded proofreading system expansion to include FDA guideline checks, initiated company-wide font database, and developed company handbook for creative teams and production staff to standardize workflow procedures, which streamlined workflow and reduced workplace stress
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Managed multiple CPG projects simultaneously, consisting of multiple SKUs, ranging across numerous design pieces, ensuring designs conformed to legal and FDA guidelines as well as adhered to existing and developing brand standards
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Developed and quantified brand standards for Weight Watchers, then oversaw, coordinated, and organized all CPG design for both in-meeting and retail markets, and provided design approval and guidance for affiliated outside firms, Streamlined the design process enabling multiple related projects to be executed with consistency by different designers and production staff for Odwalla (a Coca-Cola brand)
Education
BFA Graphic Communications/Visual Arts, Minor: English/Creative Writing
Magna Cum Laude
University of Houston (UH) - Houston, Texas, 1991-1994
Currently working toward Specialization in UX/UI
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) - Santa Clarita, CA, currently enrolled
Undergraduate Courses: Focusing on Architecture, Chemistry
University of Southern California (USC) - Los Angeles, California, 1988-1991
Credentialed to teach Art, Math, Science, Middle and Elementary Education; GT and ESL certification
Texas Education Agency (TEA) - Houston, Texas, 2015