Resume

Education

School of Visual Arts New York, NY
BFA, Photography

Experience

Alana Waters Creative
Creative Director
Chicago, IL
1/2024 – Current

Freelance and contract roles. Providing creative leadership and strategic consulting to Fortune 500 brands and agencies, optimizing digital engagement, and enhancing user experience. These roles are typically picked up between full-time engagements.

Creative Consultant, United Airlines

Designed process for their in-house food photography workflow.

UX Consultant, Kendra Scott

Optimized eCommerce checkout flow, designed personalization and wishlist functionality

Associate Creative Director, Walgreens.com | B2C

Led UX/UI architecture, messaging, and digital strategy for Walgreens' online properties.
Spearheaded concept-to-launch for Walgreens' buy online, pickup curbside model, resulting in a 200% increase in adoption.

Senior Art Director, Pfizer | Pharma

Directed integrated creative solutions across digital, print, and photography, ensuring brand consistency and engagement.

Director of Interactive Services, Marketing Support, Inc. | Agency, Events

Managed digital strategy and production for the Dalai Lama's event at the University of Wisconsin, enhancing engagement through interactive Q&A and social media.

Alma Lasers, Medical Device Manufacturer Chicago, IL
Creative Director 10/ 2022 – 1/2024

Developed and implemented cross-platform digital marketing campaigns.
Established and streamlined marketing department processes, enabling the team to manage increased workflow efficiently.
Mentored and developed creative talent, fostering a culture of growth and innovation.
Led video/photo production projects that enhanced brand storytelling and customer connection.
Instituted data-driven weekly collateral reviews, optimizing marketing effectiveness.

Explanation of Gap 2019-2022
I moved to Texas to care for senior family members, maintaining freelance/contract work. During this time I worked on agency projects for Procter & Gamble (Crest, Zevo brands), Naturalizer, Texas Mutual Insurance, and Palm Beach Tan.

Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL
Adjunct Professor 9/2015 – 6/2019

Taught classes in the evenings, parallel with daytime employment
Taught Digital Image Design, mentoring first-year students in Adobe Creative Suite, HTML, and CSS.
Reinforced leadership and teaching skills while staying abreast of emerging technologies and design trends.

Claire’s & Icing Stores, Retail Chicago, IL
Global Creative Director 4/ 2017 – 3/2019

Oversaw content creation, digital design, UX, copy, photography, video, packaging, and print for global retail brands.
Managed a 22-person cross-functional team across Chicago and Birmingham, UK.
Achieved a 150% increase in digital engagement through strategic content initiatives.
Created design processes, reducing project turnaround time by implementing agile workflows.

Media Made Great, Agency Chicago, IL
Associate Creative Director 9/2015 – 6/2019

Directed all creative efforts for clients such as Time Warner Cable, Marriott Hotels, Paynet, Sears, and Kmart.
Led a 7-person multichannel creative team, producing content, UX/UI design, and digital advertising collateral.
Developed winning pitches through comprehensive research and project intake.
Implemented streamlined design processes, reducing project turnaround time.

Previous Roles

Unilever, Design Manager: CPG, oversaw all primary, display, and line extensions of Dove & Degree brands

Harp Interactive, Art Director: Agency, Client work included Sony, Disney, OfficeMax, and Enesco

Pearson Scott Foresman, UX Art Director: UX designer, Educational Technology for textbook publisher

Skills & Interests

Technical:

Design Tools: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD), Figma, Typography, Logo Design, Video Editing, Photography/Videography
Marketing: Digital Marketing, Social Media Marketing, B2B Marketing, B2C Marketing
Leadership: Team Leadership, Coaching & Mentoring, Creative Problem Solving, Vendor Management
Technical: UX/UI, Agile Methodologies, 508 Compliance
Other: Concept Development, Copywriting, Corporate Identity, Process Design & Optimization, Video/Photoshoot Production & Editing

Language: English, fluent/native

Interests: Camping, restoring vintage campers, classic boats, music, photography, filmmaking, illustration & painting

Awards

American Advertising Federation Addy: Gold, Cinematography/Videography

Palm Beach Tan: USVI Campaign. Art Direction, wardrobe/hair/makeup & prop design, on-set wardrobe/styling. (Agency: Archer Malmo, Memphis)

American Advertising Federation Addy: Silver, Local Television Campaign

Southland Resort & Casino: Creative concept, storyboards, and on-set AD for their Now Open campaign. All multi-channel creative. (Agency: Archer Malmo, Memphis)

American Business Awards Stevie Award

Client: Procter & Gamble, Crest Whitening Emulsions social media campaign. Role: Video Editor.
(Agency: MMI, Houston)