Creative Agencies

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Kurt vonnegut

Great food + fantastic people

Hello! My name is Nick and I am a visual storyteller + brand builder.

I firmly believe that Good Design Matters. Good design also originates in understanding. An understanding of the medium; constraints; application; and most importantly people. How something looks is less important than how it makes someone feel or think. Meaningful connection begins with empathy and research, otherwise it’s just decoration. Maintaining that mindset helps me craft/build visual stories & brands that are both memorable and purposeful.

A creative leader with over 10 years experience who has worked with national clients, contributed to award winning campaigns, and fostered strong innovative creative teams. I have a diverse background in design / marketing for, CPG, arts & entertainment, hospitality, F&B, and traditional markets. I take a tactful, detailed, and budget conscious approach to all creative challenges to maintain stakeholder confidence. Aside from an expert level of design insight, I also take a mindful approach to campaign development through the use of behavioral economics, data science, and an empathetic understanding of target audiences. I have first-hand experience building a myriad of campaigns on all levels of production: Integrated marketing, creative strategy, copywriting, design, video, digital advertising, & social media. I also remember a time when the term “multidisciplinary designer” simply meant designer. I stick by that sentiment and continue to hone my expertise across all mediums: photo, illustration, video, motion graphics, web design, user experience and beyond. There is no challenge too small or too large I am willing to tackle.

Overview: Creative agency that specializes in hospitality marketing. A client list that includes Wolfgang Puck, W Hotels, Hollywood Bowl, The Greek Theatre & more.

• Responsible for the creative output of Six Degrees LA, with oversight of the creative team and creative processes; the ideation, presentation and execution of client
  branding and marketing communications campaigns; the profitability and creative quality of client projects, and the readiness of the creative team.
• Collaborating and contributing to the creative process as a leader of the creative team, as well as a member.
• Work collaboratively with partners, participate and co-lead company strategy & make key recommendations for changes to the creative team and company goals needs.

Art Director ( Contract )

GRAPHIC DESIGN / CREATIVE STRATEGY / ILLUSTRATION / WEB DESIGN / BRANDING / GOOGLE ADS + ANALYTICS / VIDEO DIRECTION / TEAM MANAGEMENT / PROJECT MANAGEMENT / ART DIRECTION / ICON DESIGN / INTEGRATED MARKETING / LOGO DESIGN / UX DESIGN

Overview: A start-up van conversion company focused on balancing real world function with a high-level design aesthetic - a #vanlife disruptor.

• Helped grow the business revenue by 400% in the first year using targeted marketing, and tactfully researched brand direction.
• Started adapting an AGILE project management framework to the marketing / creative team.
• Launched an e-commerce platform / merchandising plan with the following specific goals: growing brand awareness + increasing customer engagement.
• Designed and strategized their entire identity system to set the company apart from their competitors, but also refined enough to retain customer confidence.

Creative + Marketing Director ( Freelance )

CREATIVE STRATEGY / ILLUSTRATION / SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY / WEB DESIGN / BRANDING / INFOGRAPHICS / LOGO DESIGN / INTEGRATED MARKETING / EMAIL MARKETING / LETTERING / MENU DESIGN / ART DIRECTION / PROJECT MANAGEMENT / DIGITAL ADS

Overview: Parent company for the Asbury Park Boardwalk, The Stone Pony, Wonder Bar, Convention Hall, and Paramount Theatre.

• Took over the Marketing Director + Manager roles. Covering email marketing, entertainment marketing, and social media.
• Contributed to the award winning campaign “Art Lives Here.” - An installation + digital series reimagining local creative leaders as famous works of art.
• Maintained and grew the Asbury Park Boardwalk brand despite a drastic reduction in staff during COVID contributing to a minimal loss in tenant sales.
• Designed the identity system for the Wooden Walls Project - A public arts commission and mural series spanning the Asbury Park Waterfront.
• Consistently produced high-quality and thoughtful creative under wildly fast-paced and unexpected deadlines.

Creative Director

Dead Seagull was a clothing line and eco-minded brand I founded in 2010. I handled all of the design, illustration, and marketing for the company. Maintaining a distinct focus on the ocean and the surf / skate community it was a mechanism for social change. A subtle reminder to respect the world around us, while also balancing an edgier feel and voice in terms of merchandising. I chose to close the online shop and suspend pop-ups during the pandemic.

Owner + Creative Director

GRAPHIC DESIGN / CREATIVE STRATEGY / BRANDING / SOCIAL ADS / VIDEO DIRECTION / TEAM MANAGEMENT / MOTION GRAPHICS / PROJECT MANAGEMENT / ART DIRECTION / INTEGRATED MARKETING / MENU DESIGN / CAMPAIGN DEVELOPMENT / ILLUSTRATION

Overview: Boutique hotelier with a focus on community immersion. I was primarily responsible for their properties - The Asbury Hotel + iStar’s Asbury Lanes.

• Successfully overhauled their identity to be more consistent and fluid without sacrificing their unique / refined style or sense of fun.
• I was able to grow their social media following by 200% in the first year - Through the use of thoughtful campaigns highlighting unique design elements + local culture.
• Fully executed multiple cross-platform campaigns for the Asbury Hotel. Including “Soundbooth Artist Spotlight” + “My Asbury” + “Made in Asbury”
• Oversaw the design and production of all print + digital collateral for multiple F&B establishments, corporate sales department, concert venues, and the hotel.

Creative Manager

I worked for Madison Marquette as a print + digital design consultant. I handled on-demand projects for multiple establishments and events in association with the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Event posters, larger scale branding concepts, restaurant signage, digital ads, infographics, and variety of print collateral.

Design Consultant

I was hired by the owners of ERGO Clothing and Lava Rubber to help them launch an in-house print shop. Carrying over the same methods I learned through Dead Seagull to provide water-based and more eco-friendly production methods than most standard print shops (at the time).

Print Shop Manager

I was fortunate to start my career working for the DSM Group. Under the direction of Ryerson Kipp I was given both structure and creative freedom. Tasked with creating both print and digital marketing materials for existing clients, as well as the ideation and development of new brands and materials - Including an identity that won an NJ Ad Award.

Graphic Designer

Find out detailed information about Nicholas Penta,  in Asbury Park, NJ

Nicholas Penta: in Asbury Park, NJ

Nicholas Penta

Maryland Institute College of Art