J. L. | Paladin New York Candidate
Art Director/ Creative Director
Available for:
All types of positions.
Ideal Position:
I'm a pro at taking established magazine brands toward a more clean, bright, and modern visual aesthetic, but I also like the idea of finding a position that would allow me to move slightly outside of my usual "comfort zone" of editorial–advertising agencies for example. After 10+ years at the glossies, I know how to pitch, package, and sell!
Ideal Environment:
Typically I enjoy a lively, energetic, almost chaotic atmosphere where there’s a freedom of idea exchange, especially in the early stages of planning. But once a direction is determined, I prefer to work quietly and independently with minimal distraction, showing my works-in-progress to an individual person or a small group at regular intervals.
Past Experience:
As the Creative Director of a major women's health and fitness magazine in New York, I initiated a complete redesign, resulting in a 16% increase in newsstand sales after my first year on staff. Before, I oversaw another high-profile redesign while managing a 10-member art and photo department at a New York publisher's young men's fashion monthly.
Current:
In the fall of 2008, I traveled from Berlin to New York to assist the Design Director at a major women's fashion monthly in putting together a special "fashion preview" edition. My duties there included conceptual planning, photo shoot directing and editing, and cover and page design for what became the year's best-selling issue for the magazine.
Additional:
I tend to think and design logically, meaning that though I love all the details that go into making a visually pleasing piece, I won't get lost in theme, I can quickly guide others to the best visual solution. And I know how to communicate. P.S. Though living in Berlin has been exceptional, I'm very eager to get back to work in the United States!
