DIGITAL BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS
Nice Phone.
I see that you are attempting to view this on a small screen.
Would be a shame if someone improved your viewing experience.
DIGITAL BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS
HELLO
FELLOW HUMAN
I’m a senior graphic and web designer specializing in branding & illustration. With 7 years of professional experience in design and over 10 years in illustration, I am a results-driven, goal-oriented designer and a strategic coordinator with eye for detail.
My name is Ariel Brandon, and I craft compelling solutions through visual communication, branding & design.
What does that mean?
👁️ I oversee, manage, strategize, and work on projects from start to finish - having one eye on the big picture, and the other on the fine details.
👋 Having a varied skillset allows me to not only create more using various mediums but also communicate more effectively.
🔨 I meticulously work on brands from the inside and out - driving the design process and working with data, clients, and teams to develop thoughtful and expressive solutions.
💡 I carefully craft experiences and designs that are meaningful and memorable.
❤️🩹 I design to solve problems and make things more human.
ART DIRECTION
From the initial ideas to getting it done, I was right there in the mix, working with the VP and head of marketing and leading the creative team to make this project happen. My key contributions to this project involved working within a tight budget and creating all assets from scratch. I handled everything from package design, logo, website, and photography while also overseeing videography shoots, visual direction, scheduling, and project management.
tuff nano
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My Role: Art Director and Project Management
Project Concept, Art Direction, Branding, Production/Execution, Scheduling, and Team Management
Art Direction
Photography + Editing
Logo
Website Design & Frontend
Packaging
Illustration
Iconography
Project Management
BRAND + BRAND IDENTITY
There are some seriously cool things happening in the world today – from augmented reality, to AI technology – making multimedia experiences truly mind-blowing. That's why I love personal projects - it's all about letting loose and diving into that creative zone while trying out new things. I get to test new techniques, play around with fresh ideas, and constantly challenge myself creatively.
AUTHENTIC REPLICA
Dreamy, speculative, and nostalgic escapism meets premium fashion apparel. With nature-themed dreamscapes enshrouded in digital overtones, Authentic Replica aims to evoke delicate emotions and express a quiet rebellion through juxtaposing cynicism and visual poetry.
An art series and apparel brand for the entirely too hip and too cool.
My Role: Branding Specialist
Project Concept, Branding, Merchandising, Artwork
Art Direction
Concept
Branding
Artwork
Logo
Packaging
Merchandising / Apparel Design
FREELANCING
Sometimes I need a mental break - and let's be honest, maybe some extra cash too. Freelancing offers the opportunity to work with different clients on a diverse range of projects that I might not normally do in my day job. It's a great way to utilize other skills and mediums, or even learn something new.
GLOW: Skincare & Cosmetics
Natural, hydrating, organic, and cruelty-free, Glow is an affordable skincare and cosmetic brand focused on fun and vibrant cosmetics that are great for your skin. No more damaging you face with harsh chemicals or clogging your pores. Give your cosmetics a “Glow up” and let your beauty shine from nourished skin.
My Role: Branding Specialist
Project Concept, Branding, Packaging, Production/Execution
Art Direction
Concept
Brand Management
Brand Identity
Logo
Packaging
Pitch Deck
Key Visuals/Prototype Visuals
Illustration
Iconography
Photo Editing
COMING SOON
Stable Diffusion /AI Image Generation
Websites I’ve Built and Branded
HELLO FELLOW HUMAN
I’m a senior graphic and web designer specializing in branding & illustration. With 7 years of professional experience in design and over 10 years in illustration, I am a results-driven, goal-oriented designer and a strategic coordinator with eye for detail.
My name is Ariel Brandon, and I craft compelling solutions through visual communication, branding & design.
What does that mean?
👁️ I oversee, manage, strategize, and work on projects from start to finish - having one eye on the big picture, and the other on the fine details.
👋 Having a varied skillset allows me to not only create more using various mediums but also communicate more effectively.
🔨 I meticulously work on brands from the inside and out - driving the design process and working with data, clients, and teams to develop thoughtful and expressive solutions.
💡 I carefully craft experiences and designs that are meaningful and memorable.
❤️🩹 I design to solve problems and make things more human.
MY CREDENTIALS
WORK EXPERIENCE
Senior Web Designer
StonePress
July 2023 - February 2024
Remote
Craft branding, brand identity, logo, web design, and front-end web development for new sites from ideation to implementation
Lead the design of new websites, digital products, and brand assets, ensuring they are visually compelling, easy to use, and align with brand standards.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including developers and marketing professionals, to define and implement innovative solutions for product visuals, user experience, and brand identity.
Create wireframes, storyboards, user flows, process flows, site maps, and brand guidelines to effectively communicate design ideas and branding objectives.
Stay up-to-date with the latest web design trends, techniques, and technologies, and integrate them into designs and design practices.
Translate design vision into functional code using HTML, CSS, and intermediate JavaScript.
Present and defend designs, brand concepts, and key milestone deliverables to peers and executives.
Create one-off designs as needed to service other areas of the business.
Establish and promote design guidelines, best practices, and standards.
Key Details
Streamlined website operations by implementing a highly scalable web system, leading to the seamless conversion of 3 rebranded sites and creation of 3 new websites. Consistently delivered results with efficient project execution and expedited turnarounds totaling 6 webpages in a span of approximately 7 months.
Growth Designer
StonePress
August 2022 - July 2023
Remote
• A/B Testing ideation, research, analysis, collaboration and execution for web and mobile
• Web design and develop front-end work for new sites utilizing, CMS systems, HTML, CSS and Javascript
• Create one-off designs as needed for other departments
• Collaborate with the growth team to move projects forward from concept to execution
Lead Graphic Designer
CalDigit, Inc.
March 2018 - August 2022
Placentia, CA
• Conceptualize, drive, and execute the rebranding
• Art Direct, produce, and launch websites, amazon storefronts, logo, packaging, and social media visuals
• Modernize, build and maintain the main website while converting to a CMS system
• Implement a web system for the Knowledge Base and tech support
• Lead cross-disciplinary teams for product visuals, videography and brand identity
• Update Amazon storefront and A+ listings
• Design Apple compliant packaging
• Photograph visually stunning lifestyle and commercial product images
Key Details
Directed, managed, and coordinated cross-disciplinary teams for two major website migrations and pioneered the rebranding and reshaping of CalDigit’s brand identity. Resulted in a significant increase to website traffic and brand awareness. In addition to the growth in brand presence, consumer advocacy increased by over 350%.
Art Directed, produced, and launched the visuals for 11 total products (9 key major products, 3 minor accessories). This encompassed everything from concept, project management, photography, editing, illustrations, logos, webpages, social media, amazon graphics, and packaging concepts. As a direct result, a very sizeable growth in publication and reviews has been noted and recognized internally, in addition to the substantial increase in consumer engagement, content, and activity across online platforms.
Implemented a system for the Knowledge Base and online product support, which allowed users to not only find the help they need but also alleviated the stress and demand for the tech support team and produced more happy customers.
Oversaw internal and external teams while working directly with the Marketing Director, VP, and CTO. For several projects, some additional responsibilities included being the point of contact handling the design briefing, internal reporting, and design feedback.
Freelancer
April 2017 - Current
Remote
• Worked on a variety of paid freelance projects
• Logo, branding, illustration, prototyping, and mockups
• Ecommerce, Webdesign, UI/UIX, and other print and digital media
Key Details
Freelanced projects for clients of all sizes including small businesses, content creators, studios, game developers, and start-ups.
Graphic Design Intern
Branding Iron Worldwide
January 2017 - March 2017
West Hollywood, CA
• Designed logo concepts
• Worked with branding development
• Contributed to client mockups
• Created social media graphics
Key Details
Contributed to various graphic design work for the following entertainment brands:
Netflix, Marvel, WB Kids, and BUZZR
Work included the creation of brochures, web flyers, client mockups, social media posts, research & origami.
SKILLS
Branding & Marketing
• Brand Identity
• Branding
• Brand Strategist
• Art Direction
• Project Management
• Concept Creation & Ideation
• Content Marketing
• Presentation and Public Speaking
• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
• Discernment
Graphic Design+
• Logo
• Iconography
• Typography
• Pattern Making
• Infographics
• Social Media
• Slide Decks
• Illustration
• Drawing/Sketching
• Photography
• Photo Editing
• Intermediate 3D Modeling (Blender)
• AI Generated Images + Inpainting
Web & Digital
• Web & Mobile-First Design
• Web Accessibility
• Frontend Web Development
• UI/UX Design
• HTML & CSS
• Intermediate JavaScript
• Working with CMS Systems
• WordPress
• Webflow
• Elementor
• Wix
• Squarespace
• Shopify
• A/B Testing
• Ecommerce
• Package Design
• Print Design (flyers, cards, posters, books etc.)
• Merchandise
• Apparel
Motion & Video
• 2D Animation
• Motion Graphics
• Video Editing
• Story Boarding and Preproduction Scope
• Gifs
SOFTWARE & PROGRAMS
• Figma + FigmaJam
• Adobe CC
• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Lightroom Classic
• After Effects
• Shapr3D
• Adobe Dimensions
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Amazon Storefront and A+ Listing
• Canva
• Slack | Teams | Zoom
• Notion | ClickUp | Asana | Airtable
• Stable Diffusion
• ChatGPT
EDUCATION
FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Los Angeles, CA | Graduate
Associate of Arts Degree: Graphic Design, Cum Laude
SLCC/Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT | Courses taken
Associate of Arts Degree: Fashion Design
HONORS
FIDM Graphic Designer of Tomorrow
National Scholarship Competition Winner
CONTINUOUS SELF EDUCATION
• Staying up to date with the latest technology & design trends
• Devotion to learning new marketing, branding, and design practices
• Learning new skills in CAD, 3D modeling, motion graphics, and AI
HUMAN HOBBIES
• Gaming
• Sewing
• Reading (NonFiction)
• Consuming Media
• Sharing Great Memes
• Keeping Puns Alive - They’re the punicle of humor