Resume

WORK EXPERIENCE

Vera Aerov Graphic Design
Principal | Art Director | Designer
January 2009 - Present | San Francisco Bay Area, CA / Miami, FL
Branding & corporate identity, print & packaging design, social media design, and illustration for retail, fashion, lifestyle, and personal care companies and private labels worldwide.
San Francisco and Miami Elementary Schools
Art Program Committee Chair | Volunteer Art Instructor
September 2010 - Present | San Francisco Bay Area, CA / Miami, FL
Chairing "Meet the Masters" school program. Instructing children in art appreciation, drawing, painting, and multi-media. Developed hands-on art programs for children ages 4-6 and ages 7-9, with focus on learning how to draw and create using various media. Instructing children in discovering ability to translate their view of the world into art.
The Creative Group
Senior Graphic Designer
May 2012 - August 2014 | San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Concept, creation and visual identity of Stella & Dot marketing web assets for online ad campaigns. One of Inc. 500's fastest growing companies, Stella & Dot is a direct sales jewelry company that innovates flexible entrepreneurship for women. 
Branding, print and packaging design for San Francisco Bay Area clients.
Through Smoke Creative LLC.
Senior Graphic Designer
January 2012 - January 2013 | Sausalito, CA
Packaging design, production art, and prototype comping for high-end fragrance, cosmetics and food products. Clients included Gap, Disney, Restoration Hardware, 80 Acres of McEvoy Ranch, Olivina, Macademics, Gump’s, and Apothia Los Angeles (Missoni).
Alexandra Bridal Salon Inc.
Co-Founder | Creative Director
April 2003 - January 2009 | San Francisco, CA
Conceived and brought to life a brand new luxury retail store with unique positioning in the local and national bridal markets: San Francisco's first high-end modern bridal salon with hip, lounge ambiance, designed for cosmopolitan brides. Through extensive research and design analysis, created a clear store identity, a “brand” that quickly gained recognition in the US luxury bridal retail community. Implemented a concise creative vision for all facets of the new store, including floor design and layout, in-store signage, merchandising, product selection, marketing & advertising, media kits, PR campaigns & press releases, direct mail, logo design, corporate identity, stationery, web design, art direction of photo shoots, as well as all forms of collateral, packaging, and graphic design. Executed seamless transition of store identity from store design to print to web while working directly with all supporting parties. Designed ad campaigns, developed brand marketing strategy and executed against a $30,000 annual advertising budget, collaborating with and advertising in premier national and local industry publications, such as Martha Stewart Bridal and San Francisco Magazine. Teamed up with numerous diverse local businesses and vendors and designed and carried out a successful grand opening, which received many editorial mentions. Collaborated with business partner to perform market trend analysis against goals and budget, and stayed on the cutting edge of the luxury bridal industry, consumer needs and popular culture to continually develop and expand business opportunities. Played an integral role in successfully leading the store to acquisition by its largest vendor Priscilla of Boston, a national luxury retail chain and a Fortune 500 company.

PR Coverage & Advertisement in Print Media: San Francisco Magazine, 7x7 Magazine, PaperCity Magazine, Marin Magazine, Martha Stewart Bridal Magazine, In Style Weddings Magazine, Wedding Channel Magazine, Inside Weddings Magazine, The Knot Weddings Magazine, Wedding Bells Magazine, Your Wedding Day Magazine / PR Coverage on Television: WE TV Platinum Weddings, KRON 4 Bay Area Living, Food Network The Next Food Network Star / Interviews: KRON 4, San Francisco Magazine, San Antonio Express News, Pittsburg Post-Gazette, NY Daily News
Gap Inc.
Graphic Designer
August 2000 - March 2003 | San Francisco, CA
Responsible for design and development of product packaging solutions through packaging design, product themes and component design across Gap Inc. Personal Care lines. Collaborated with Old Navy Merchandising team on launch of the new Old Navy Cosmetics product line and Summer line, with Gap team on Holiday, Valentine’s Day and the new Gap Kids lines and Icon line redesign, with Banana Republic team on the redesign of Classic and EDT lines, and the new Home line. Responsible for concept initiation and development, as well as implementation of design directions through multiple phases. Produced comprehensive detailed drawings, 3D rendering, illustration and hands-on comping of prototypes. Presented multiple design concepts and solutions to Executive, Senior Management and Merchandising teams. Simultaneously responsible for multiple design projects, project phases and tight deadlines. Researched and implemented creative solutions to meet budget, schedule and production requirements. Worked closely with Art Director and Product Development, Sourcing and Visual Merchandising teams and outside vendors on a regular basis.
Gap Inc.
Production Artist
August 1999 - AUGUST 2000 | San Francisco, CA
Responsible for concept development and design of multiple product lines across Gap Inc. brands. Prepared precise and accurate mechanical artwork, color separation and correction, sizing of images and typesetting. Reviewed and signed off on proofs from film separators and printers; attended press checks. Assisted in production of 3D prototypes including preparing artwork for rubdowns and drawdowns. Supervised all aspects of prepress and printing processes with outside vendors. Coordinated design and production projects with freelancers. Worked closely with team members to establish print specifications and copy requirements. Worked under tight deadlines and managed multiple projects from comping through presentation to final production.
Epigraphx LLC.
Graphic Designer
January 1997 - July 1999 | Redwood City, CA
Redesigned this high tech start-up’s corporate identity, which included development of a comprehensive logo system. Designed collateral materials, data sheets, implementation guides, internal forms, stationery and a monthly newsletter. Responsible for concept development and design of advertisements for clients, as well as image enhancement of artwork provided by clients. Prepared printing projects for final output and supervised service bureaus and printers; attended press checks. Designed, illustrated, developed and maintained company's website. Worked closely with Account Managers and Executive team and worked with clients directly as required.

EDUCATION

San Francisco Art Institute
Coursework in Drawing and Painting
San Francisco, CA
California College Of The Arts
Coursework in Graphic Design
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco State University
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
San Francisco, CA

INTERESTS

graphic design / illustration / drawing / painting / photography / architecture / fashion / reading / art instruction / swimming / fitness
↑Back to Top