Mike Silcher: Senior Graphic Designer | Creative Director in Santa Cruz, California
Work experience
MS Designs (Self-Employed)
Graphic Designer | Creative Director | 04/2023 - Current
As a Senior Graphic Designer and Creative Director, I engage deeply with clients to refine and elevate their brand identity. My professional focus spans various projects, including brand design, art directing product and lifestyle photography, strategic advertising campaigns, retail and trade show signage, packaging design, and developing print and digital marketing collateral. I manage the entire design process, from initial conceptualization to final production, ensuring a cohesive and impactful brand presence in the marketplace. My role encompasses comprehensive oversight of design elements and art direction to optimize visual communication and brand strategy.
BayPhoto Lab (Sensaria)
Senior Graphic Designer | 10/2019 - 03/2023
February 2013 to July 2014
(4 years 1 month)
As the Senior Designer at Bay Photo Lab, I rebranded to raise the visibility of one of the top Professional Photo Labs in the US, marketing to Wedding, Portrait, and Nature Professional Photographers. This included projects from initial concept creation to final execution, applying to magazine advertisements, cohesive branding, and displays for multi-scaled trade show exhibits with coordinated collateral, annual product catalogs, and promotional flyers. Art Directing assistance with the staff photographers to organize the creative strategy of the stylization of products (Metal Prints, Acrylic Prints, Wood Prints, Framed Prints) ensured the team succeeded in ”getting the shot.”
O'Neill Wetsuits LLC
Senior Graphic Designer | 08/2014 - 10/2019
July 2005 to January 2009
February 2009 to May 2010
(10 years)
As the Senior Graphic Designer for O’Neill Wetsuits, my creativity targeted the Surfing, Wakeboarding, and Stand-Up Paddling industries. I was responsible for the annual product catalogs, ad concepts, and execution of the marketing campaigns, seasonal hangtags, and interior/exterior point-of-purchase for the brand. I worked one-on-one with the VP of Marketing Communications and directly with our Production Manager to schedule and assign tasks to the creative staff. I used photographers and other outside vendors as needed to meet all deadlines and produce top-level imagery/branding.
Nordic Naturals – Omega-3 Fish Oil
Junior Graphic Designer | 07/2011 - 01/2013
As an in-house Junior Graphic Designer for Nordic Naturals, a leading brand in the Omega-3 Fish Oil brand, I managed a diverse range of design initiatives. My role encompassed the entire design workflow, from ideation to execution. I developed magazine advertisements and in-store and trade show signage that effectively communicated brand messaging. Additionally, I designed packaging displays and catalogs, focusing on usability and consumer education. I also produced promotional materials for events and various print collateral to inform retail customers, healthcare professionals, and patients about our products and their benefits.