Erika-https://grindmonkeydesign.com/portfolio-EK/linkedin.com/in/erikakubli/
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Translating marketing objectives into compelling visual designs aligned with strategic sales goals.
20 years’ experience managing high-volume in-house production projects.
Expert at achieving brand consistency across integrated cross-channel initiatives.
Adept at multi-channel website marketing design and use of performance metrics.
Known for superior project management skills, accurate time/cost estimations, and the ability to handle any production issue.
Print & Web Design • Packaging Design • Social Media Branding • Digital Marketing
Videography • Photo Editing • Tradeshow Collateral • Adobe CC • Microsoft Office Suite
Professional Experience
Creative Director, GRINDMONKEY, INC., San Diego, CA2015–Present
Contracted by Palamon Costumes, a Li & Fung Products Company.
Recruited to guide design process for 350-500 products per season, including product development, graphic design, photography, packaging, and in-store layout. Partner with overseas cross-functional teams on project delivery and solution development functions.
Expanded license portfolio from 2 to 15 over a 3-year period, more than doubling revenue.
Introduced Gant chart with seasonal benchmarks / milestones for creative teams to meet.
Developed dashboards to provide quick answers on cost, retail, and margin, enabling quicker and more effective decisions for increasingly time-sensitive projects.
Planned and opened domestic showroom and photography studio, coming under budget by 20%.
Brought photography in-house, with an ROI of 85%.
Present to clients (Walmart buyers, mom & pops, e.g.), documenting and reporting feedback for design, development, and sales teams.
Creative Services, Disguise, Inc., Poway, CA-
Division of JAKKS PACIFIC, a leading U.S. toy and consumer products company.
Creative Services Manager-
Graphics Production Manager-
Production Assistant-
Advanced steadily to develop and lead team of 4 graphic designers, 3 production artists, and a packaging engineer. Directed production of 500-page catalog responsible for 70% of annual sales, and worked with C-level on planning, scheduling, and meeting benchmarks and goals.
Reduced catalog production costs 66% over two years by researching, evaluating, and negotiating with overseas and domestic printers.
Negotiated 20% savings with external contractors supporting existing graphic and production positions.
Developed sustainable packaging solutions for new products, working with packaging engineers to create visually compelling products while maintaining a small footprint.
Oversaw corporate website marketing imagery, messaging, digital copy, and pricing.
Spearheaded large-scale technical project, transitioning print catalog to a mobile iOS app approved for inclusion in App Store.
Design Coordinator, Novatel Wireless, San Diego, CA-
Wireless broadband access solutions for personal & handheld computers, and mobile devices.
Established brand identity for IPO/start-up through product art, packaging, marketing collateral, videography, and trade show displays.
Designed print advertising for use in Red Herring, Wired, PC World and airline in-flight magazines to launch next generation products.
Created point-of-purchase displays for retailers nationwide and coordinated marketing program initiatives.
Produced/edited corporate-based videos and multimedia presentations including Sprint PCS training videos and airport teaser-trailers.
Education
Certificate, Multimedia (Digital Graphics), Palomar College, San Marcos, CA 1998
M.A., Film & Television Studies, University of Warwick, England 1995
B.A., English & American Literature, University of California, San Diego 1993
