Kevin Yasutake: Director Of Graphic Design and Branding in Ellicott City, MD

Lead, manage, and direct a talented team of designers for the Team Sports categories of Under Armour.

I taught a 300 level Package design course in 2019, that focused on developing and delivering effective design solutions for three dimensional structures. Then most recently participated as a visiting professional in MICA's 2020 Flexible Design Studio, focusing on Apparel Graphic Design. Senior Design Manager, Pro Leagues Under Armour Jan 2017 - Jan 2019 (2 years 1 month) • Spearheaded UA's first foray into the Professional Sports Leagues arena, starting with the NFL Combine, followed shortly by the NBA Combine and MLB On-Field outfitting. • Built a new design and production team from the ground up, under a compressed timeline. Including the hiring of all my managers, designers, and production artists which currently total 14 employees. • Supervised the creation of the MLB Authentic Collection Uniforms, training, and dugout line from ideation (story build and art direction) and execution (tech design, sourcing, merchandising), to presentation and negotiation with League leadership. • Initiated new processes to effectively manage UA's relationships and communications with our partners Fanatics, Gear for Sports, Outer Stuff, and others. • Implemented the first, joint MLB Licensed Design Summit to strengthen and inspire two different company design teams, into merging as a collaborative whole. • Engaged directly with MLB Team Creative directors and marketing groups building relationships and selling in our brand DNA. • Researched the depths of Pro Sports as well as that of culture, tech, and fashion. • Directed the apparel and graphic teams while simultaneously overseeing management of the production team. All in an effort to maximize efficiency and profitability. • Managed budgets, hiring, travel, samples, and calendar adherence in as part of operational excellence.

Guiding, inspiring, and developing an extremely talented TEAM of graphic designers in delivering curated storytelling visuals that speak the unique language of the athlete. We do this on premium products head to toe, training time to game day, rain or shine!

• Curated the visual direction of the Under Armour Team Sport division for our International (EPL, Liga MX, WRU, etc.), Collegiate, and Licensed properties. • Advanced Under Armour's authenticity in the marketplace by distilling brand initiatives while telling Team/School relevant stories. • Introduced new branding and styling to our partners through deep research and a calculated eye for what makes each institution unique. • Directly hired and managed a team of 6 graphic designers.

Designed and lead the charge as the founding member of the Team Sports graphic design team as well as for the Inline category. • Applied a 360-degree methodology to tell story driven design through apparel, accessories, and inflatables to environments, vehicles, and more. • Responsibilities included apparel graphics, branding, prints, illustration, and trims.

Researched, developed and designed concepts for multiple sports and categories like Olympic Basketball, Major League Baseball, and Collegiate Events.

Created new designs for all packaging related to the OPB Xerox printer lines, including their inks/ media and replacement parts. • Developed enhanced graphic standards for both packaging and technical illustrations related to the Office Printing channel of the Xerox business.

Developed a new and innovative branding package based on their existing corporate identity package.

Designed and produced the spring/summer retail print campaign under the direction of the Senior designer.

Produced and assisted in the design of the footwear sales catalogs. I also designed the LE (limited edition) catalogs for that season in partnership with the senior designer.