Chip Hultin: Brand Designer in Reno, Nevada

Support Marketing, Startup School, and Outreach teams; developing event branding, social media imagery, and presentation templates. Most projects include a mix of the above along with invitations and attendee badges, directional signage, and landing pages. Events include: Demo Day, Aspiring Founders Forum, Bi-annual founder retreats, Alumni Reunions and Startup School events throughout the year. Developed a grid system based on the updated logo which helps maintain consistency and legibility across sub-brands, event signage, maps, and the slogan "Make something people want."

Lead and collaborate on an assortment of projects ranging from print and digital design; marketing collateral, branding designs, apparel, layout, and UI/UX. I have worked closely with a variety of small businesses. Clients range from video production companies, musicians, and apparel companies; to agriculture operations, a wild-fire crew, fabricators, restaurants and hotels.

Assured that client art was output correctly for best print results. Colors separations were done in either Illustrator, Photoshop or Separation Studio 4. Custom artwork was made available for clients as well. Everything from playful illustrations for kids to refined artwork, often working within existing branding. These projects allowed us to stay within price constraints by limiting the number of colors used, and creating separation ready designs. Other office production included vinyl printed projects. This process began with exporting artwork to the vinyl cutter, often ganging-up designs to maximize material. After the vinyl was cut and weeded, designs were either heat pressed or in the case or stickers and window signs, sealed and packed for shipping. Aided press operators with screen set-up and break down. This involved cleaning flood bars, and squeegees; clearing ink and reclaiming screens. As a small shop many responsibilities were shared. These included: receiving, making supply runs, folding and boxing finished products, and general shop upkeep.

Primary design resource for the marketing team providing print and digital assets in an array of dimensions and applications. Print materials ranged from fridge-wraps and window signs, to t-shirts and water bottle designs. Because many of these materials were co-branded with Instacart partners, most involved working within both Instacart and their partner’s guidelines. Instacart partners included: Whole Foods, Green Zebra, Target, CBS, Petco, Lyft, Costco, and local businesses in cities across the country. Digital assets ranged from apartment lobby and in-store check-out displays, to social media and email images. These were typically used to highlight promotions, announce new city launches and ZIP code expansions. Notable in-house materials included a one-sheet brand guide, which was rolled out to support the 2016 re-brand. Assisted the HR team with design and layout of their New Hire Orientation Google Slides presentation.

Over the course of four months I worked closely with five early stage startups providing design support from re-brands, mobile and web design, presentation decks, and marketing assets. Met with company CEO’s and CTO’s to better understand their visions for their companies, researched their audiences, and frequently checked in to make sure we were moving in the right direction with their products. Collaborated with members of the product team as well as company founders to refine or entirely redesign their logos and other brand elements such as generating a custom icon set. Completed one ground-up re-brand, which included a new name, color scheme, and logo, as well as web and mobile UI/UX.

Developed Logos for Manifesta and the store’s pop up space 'Festa; this included secondary icons, and brand guidelines. Lead UI/UX collaboration with a Front End Developer to produce the Manifesta website. This included working together to create wireframes and HiFi mocks. Established styling of Manifesta’s stationery system; business cards, letterhead, menu of services, and appointment reminders. Assembled Grand Opening announcement materials, such as a promotional email, fliers, and signage.

Responsible for compiling and laying out Curse's first Brand Book. The process was a close collaboration with our Creative Director along our Marketing and Sales Teams. This was established during a time of growth to supported positioning across applications and Curse properties. Under guidance of our Creative Director I also took point on the UI/UX design of the Curse Corporate Site, with the goal of creating a one-stop information resource for Investors and Clients. This also acted as an online companion to the new Brand Book. Worked with the Sales executives to create an infographic brochure which illustrated response rates, industry positioning, and advertisement analytics. These were shared with Partners and Advertisers. Frequently supported UI/UX design and Branding of newly acquired Curse properties while keeping older Curse sites up-to-date. This included new logos, wireframes and frequent collaboration within the Curse Front-End Design and Dev Teams.

Collaboration with Marketing Department and our CEO to create Licensing Proposals, presented to automobile companies such as McLaren, Bugatti, and BMW. Assisted UI/UX design of Simracway’s home page along with RFactor statistics and ranking pages. In charge of design and production of Simraceway’s booth for the 2011 Game Developer’s Conference. Principle designer of HTML emails, Facebook advertisements, and online race announcements. Supported branding and package design for the Simraceway S1 steering wheel which was developed in collaboration with hardware brand SteelSeries: Built in house package models and digital mock ups of package concepts for presentation to our CEO, and SteelSeries. Collaborated with SteelSeries’ designers and in-house team to develop the object and choose materials, including windows, spot varnish, imitation velvet interior, and outer chip board. Teamed up with the Jim Russel Racing School in Sonoma, CA, to establish re-branding of the school as the Simraceway Performance Driving Center: Sat down with the school’s Facilities Project Manager and the head of a local sign shop to develop 50’ steal signage displayed on the school’s main building. Worked closely with the design team and executives on brand placement at the school, on school uniforms, and vehicles.

Worked side by side with our Operations Managers to provide design resources for Hotels and Restaurants. Design services included food and drink menu layouts, event announcements, and other printed materials. Lead design of Puccini marketing materials across event branding, signage, and happy hour invitations. I also had the opportunity to create the 2011 Puccini Group holiday card. Assisted the Sales Team with presentation decks for pitches to clients such as Kimpton Hotels, The Fairmont, The Hilton, and various San Francisco restaurants.