Keith Watts Resume
A Senior Graphic Designer, Digital Creator, Motion Designer, Video Editor, and Production Guru with 8+ years of professional experience. A well-rounded individual with a successful history of directing multiple projects at a time from start to finish. Strong knowledge of trends, design, and an eye for what’s next. Dedicated to quality, maintaining strict adherence to deadlines, and customer needs. Excellent reputation, a team player, and possessor of a great personality.
—MY WHEELHOUSE—
• Expert skills with Adobe Creative Suite package: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat Pro
• Skilled with Adobe Premiere, Adobe Dreamweaver, WordPress, Autodesk Maya 3D, Windows software
• Solid understanding of web design, HTML, CSS, and Responsive Design
• Strong digital and print experience with 4 color processes and package design
• Possess talent in: Illustration, Photography, Video Production, Motion Graphics, Multimedia
• Optimized and clever with Social Media, B2B Marketing, eCommerce
• Project management, production, and organization
• Ability to solve problems, analyze and determine project needs with or without supervision
• Creative and knowledgeable on infographic trends and research
• A desire for high quality, integrity, and outstanding performance
• Up to date on current programs and trends
• Always excited to learn and improve my skills
• Skilled with Adobe Premiere, Adobe Dreamweaver, WordPress, Autodesk Maya 3D, Windows software
• Solid understanding of web design, HTML, CSS, and Responsive Design
• Strong digital and print experience with 4 color processes and package design
• Possess talent in: Illustration, Photography, Video Production, Motion Graphics, Multimedia
• Optimized and clever with Social Media, B2B Marketing, eCommerce
• Project management, production, and organization
• Ability to solve problems, analyze and determine project needs with or without supervision
• Creative and knowledgeable on infographic trends and research
• A desire for high quality, integrity, and outstanding performance
• Up to date on current programs and trends
• Always excited to learn and improve my skills
—FROM AN AMATEUR TO A PROFESSIONAL, WE ALL START SOMEWHERE—
Owner | KW Graphics
June 2003 to Present
June 2003 to Present
• Freelance design, digital graphics, web design, NFTs, and advertising
• Conceptualize and execute projects directly with customer
• Observe and listen to customer’s needs and expectations
• Developed and implemented marketing and advertising for business growth
• Promoted new marketing materials, design enhancements, and industry trends
• Help develop company brands and produce brand guidelines/materials
*Made By Kids, Non-Profit Organization (Volunteer) Mentor, promote and strengthen the idea behind Made By Kids. Design graphics and create ideas for web, print, and advertising to get the organization up and running. Brainstorm and research alongside other members with new ideas to create a sustainable way of life.
• Conceptualize and execute projects directly with customer
• Observe and listen to customer’s needs and expectations
• Developed and implemented marketing and advertising for business growth
• Promoted new marketing materials, design enhancements, and industry trends
• Help develop company brands and produce brand guidelines/materials
*Made By Kids, Non-Profit Organization (Volunteer) Mentor, promote and strengthen the idea behind Made By Kids. Design graphics and create ideas for web, print, and advertising to get the organization up and running. Brainstorm and research alongside other members with new ideas to create a sustainable way of life.
*Niche Technologies (internship) Creative design work on Internship Package and Employee Handbook for internet company. Teamed up and put together the idea Niche Technologies wanted to send out for future internships, designed and presented materials, research and organized many different trends and web pages to help businesses prosper online.
Senior Graphic Designer | Berkadia
Oct 2020 to Mar 2022
Oct 2020 to Mar 2022
• Design sales collateral for commercial real estate brokers (Offering Memorandums and Broker Opinion of Value Books)
• Assist, create, and edit videos applying motion graphics for property previews and special events
• Design and produce various print and electronic boilerplate/templates and branded sales materials
• Website creation for individual properties and team pages
• Member of the “Make an Impact” committee creating charitable opportunities and ways to give back to the community
• Assist, create, and edit videos applying motion graphics for property previews and special events
• Design and produce various print and electronic boilerplate/templates and branded sales materials
• Website creation for individual properties and team pages
• Member of the “Make an Impact” committee creating charitable opportunities and ways to give back to the community
Senior Graphic Designer | ICS (Ignite Creative Services)
Aug 2017 to Mar 2020
Aug 2017 to Mar 2020
• Concept and bring new ideas to the table for RFP proposals and LTO presentations
• Create and produce visual and HTML (brand) marketing communications
• Create and produce various print and electronic (e-mail/newsletter) campaigns
• Manage FTP site, all proprietary websites, and CRM data
• Execute tight deadlines, multi-task, and work well under pressure
• Work in team-oriented environment and possess a professional and positive attitude
• Work account team with online marketing strategies, branding, communications, and promotional campaigns
• Create and produce visual and HTML (brand) marketing communications
• Create and produce various print and electronic (e-mail/newsletter) campaigns
• Manage FTP site, all proprietary websites, and CRM data
• Execute tight deadlines, multi-task, and work well under pressure
• Work in team-oriented environment and possess a professional and positive attitude
• Work account team with online marketing strategies, branding, communications, and promotional campaigns
Art Director/Graphic Designer | EEG (Evening Entertainment Group)
Oct 2016 to Aug 2017
Oct 2016 to Aug 2017
• Lead team of designers in creating marketing materials for 12 different venues, restaurants, and nightclubs
• Concept, design, and approve campaigns for social media, concept art, and promotional materials
• Oversee the entire process of weekly promotion designs, including concept, creation, and production
• Work with general managers, chefs, restaurant managers, and owners on interpreting each venue’s needs
• Maintain project schedule, prepare artwork requests, and assign a team member to the project
• Negotiate with printers, maintain print schedules, and place print orders
• Concept, design, and approve campaigns for social media, concept art, and promotional materials
• Oversee the entire process of weekly promotion designs, including concept, creation, and production
• Work with general managers, chefs, restaurant managers, and owners on interpreting each venue’s needs
• Maintain project schedule, prepare artwork requests, and assign a team member to the project
• Negotiate with printers, maintain print schedules, and place print orders
Lead Designer | M.E.S.A. (Mobile Electronics Specialists of America)
May 2014 to Feb 2016
May 2014 to Feb 2016
• Create strategic initiatives and design sales collateral, web templates, digital newsletters, and emails for B2B Marketing such as promotional sales and events
• Assist with content management (CMS) for B2B Marketing and eCommerce sites (Shopify)
• Work directly with the marketing manager, account executives, vendor partners, and retail owners/members
• Collected printing quotes, maintained complicated spreadsheets, and executed print production timelines
• Assist with content management (CMS) for B2B Marketing and eCommerce sites (Shopify)
• Work directly with the marketing manager, account executives, vendor partners, and retail owners/members
• Collected printing quotes, maintained complicated spreadsheets, and executed print production timelines
Marketing Coordinator, Lead Designer | ELEMENTS
May 2011 to May 2014
May 2011 to May 2014
• Lead graphic/web designer delivering custom websites, sales collateral, digital media, and RFP/RFI Responses
• Implemented strategic marketing initiatives using info-graphics, digital media, social media, and print materials
• Coordinated with account executive teams and assisted with proposals, collateral, and content management
• Integrated new technologies and social media to promote ELEMENTS’ portfolio of products, services, and culture
• Implemented strategic marketing initiatives using info-graphics, digital media, social media, and print materials
• Coordinated with account executive teams and assisted with proposals, collateral, and content management
• Integrated new technologies and social media to promote ELEMENTS’ portfolio of products, services, and culture
Graphic Designer | National Sign Plazas-Arrow Graphics
Aug 2009 to May 2011
Aug 2009 to May 2011
• Design directional sign plazas and way-finding systems for companies throughout the US
• Interact with home builders, contractors, and real estate companies
• Create signs, brochures, logos, publications, and trade show displays
• Prepare all print projects including large format for pre-press
• Coordinate with and assist the production team with completing projects on schedule
• Interact with home builders, contractors, and real estate companies
• Create signs, brochures, logos, publications, and trade show displays
• Prepare all print projects including large format for pre-press
• Coordinate with and assist the production team with completing projects on schedule
Production Manager/Designer | Sign Specialists Inc.
Jan 2008 to Aug 2008
Jan 2008 to Aug 2008
• Design and produce a variety of signs, banners, logos, brochures, flyers, and any other print-related materials needed
• Coordinated production from start to finish including type of product, site locates, installation, and deadlines
• Coordinate with government officials, community leaders, and property owners
• Ordered materials and maintained a strict schedule for completion of product
• Coordinated production from start to finish including type of product, site locates, installation, and deadlines
• Coordinate with government officials, community leaders, and property owners
• Ordered materials and maintained a strict schedule for completion of product
—FRAMEWORK—
TECHNICAL:
• Computer: 3D Animation, Video Production, Graphic Design, and Web Design
• Illustration: graphite, ink, oils, acrylic, and airbrushing
• Multimedia: Ceramics, wood, and metal
• Computer: 3D Animation, Video Production, Graphic Design, and Web Design
• Illustration: graphite, ink, oils, acrylic, and airbrushing
• Multimedia: Ceramics, wood, and metal
EDUCATION:
• Ringling College of Art and Design: Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Computer Animation
• Minnesota State University, Mankato: Graphic Design Major
• Frontrange Community College: Dreamweaver Certificate Course
• Ringling College of Art and Design: Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Computer Animation
• Minnesota State University, Mankato: Graphic Design Major
• Frontrange Community College: Dreamweaver Certificate Course
PERSONAL:
• Graduated college and earned a degree in a field I am passionate about
• While attending college full time, I was promoted to a manager for being awesome!
• Started and operated my own profitable business
• Achieved goals that made my business prosper while helping others prosper as well
• Graduated college and earned a degree in a field I am passionate about
• While attending college full time, I was promoted to a manager for being awesome!
• Started and operated my own profitable business
• Achieved goals that made my business prosper while helping others prosper as well
MY MOTTO:
Life’s a garden, dig it. -Joe Dirt
Life’s a garden, dig it. -Joe Dirt