Christopher Knowles Email & Phone Number

Chattanooga, Tn, Us

Maintained positive client relationships and delivered successful design and creative projects on budget and on schedule for 12+ yearsBranded identity for Michelin recommended Lyla Lila restaurant (Atlanta 2019)Freelanced on campaigns and branding projects for agencies Son & Sons (Atlanta), Pearlfisher (San Francisco), Wedge (Montreal)Recruited and managed a staff of designers and a roster of freelancers and vendorsBuilt, developed and maintained client roster including The New York Times, Colombia Records, Award-winning restaurants and agenciesManaged business including financial forecasting, tax filings, staffing, payroll, invoicing, business development, and partnerships

Chattanooga, Tn, Us

As a volunteer member of the board of directors for Stove Works, I work to advocate for the organization, aid in fundraising efforts and networking, assist with creative, design, and marketing needs, and work to help the organization successfully achieve its mission.

Brooklyn, Ny, Us

Led multiple cross-functional teams consisting of graphic designers, UX/UI designers, copywriters, strategists, developers, illustrators and content creators Managed campaigns and identity design projects for brands in startup through growth phasesDesigned and implemented agency-wide training system for nimble team arrangements by integrating AI tools into the creative process, enhancing creative output quality and productivityMentored junior team members by fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and learning in agency pod programsDirected successful brand launches for companies with a valuation exceeding $2.9 billion one fiscal year after market introductionCoordinated with key stakeholders and managed client relationships across all projectsFostered partnerships with outside media and marketing platforms to expand brands’ demographic reachEnhanced team efficiency by implementing new creative workshops, processes and project flows, including integrating new Figma tools leading to a 20% improvement in turnaround timesImplemented creative direction for multiple brands consistently meeting budget and timeline requirementsPromoted from Design Director to Creative Director after six months with agency

Brooklyn, Ny, Us

Directed brand strategy and development of visual style for organization’s key marketing materials contributing to a 15% year-over-year increase in brand awareness Managed cross-functional teams to ensure brand consistency across all touchpointsSpearheaded capital campaign marketing strategy with content teams and media partnerships resulting in annual donations exceeding $15kPresented visual strategy and brand evolution to board members that aligned with organization’s quarterly objectives and demographic target, which was praised for increasing donations and attendance to programsManaged marketing budget and coordinated with board for strategic spending in advertisingCurated and built design programming to assist in organization’s mission objectives

Athens, Ga, Us

Taught courses including Introduction to Graphic Design, Color Theory, Typography, Website Design, Art Direction and Image, Senior Exit Show, Branding, Packaging, Editorial Design, Campaigns, and History of Graphic DesignDeveloped curriculum reflecting current design industry trends incorporating new technology, professional standards, and effectivenessMentored students in professional development and portfolio refinement for job entryDirected creative workshops to instill best practices for student’s creative processTaught courses in creative portfolio development, professional practices, MFA application, and personal branding

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Directed social media strategy and development of visual style for key client accounts contributing to successful quarterly social campaigns Spearheaded studio rebrand including contstruction of new brand standards, website design and development, custom brand typeface, and social deploymentManaged cross-functional team of videographers, illustrators, writers, and photographers across all projectsInitiated and led learning series on design skills, creative workshops, conceptual develpment, project management, and cultural researchDirected branding projects for high-profile clients achieving cultural relevance in industry sectorsMaintained an ongoing series of editorial illustrations for use on social content campaignsMentored junior talent and aided in the collaborative process across teamsArt Directed commercials for local tv spots with high-profile Atlanta based celebrity figuresConverted creative process for more streamlined workflows increasing productivity by 15%

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Managed department budgetary allotment for educational programs, research trips, and materialsTaught courses including Introduction to Graphic Design, Color Theory, Typography, Website Design, Art Direction and Image, Senior Exit Show, Branding, Packaging, Editorial Design, Campaigns, and History of Graphic DesignLed department portfolio critiques and coordinated with agency recruiters facilitating job opportunities for studentsImplemented programmatic goals resulting in student job placements at 97% within one year of graduatingFacilitated professional practices and personal branding workshops

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Played key role in visual storytelling, branding, and collateral design for agency projects including TedTalks, Liberty Insurance, Progressive Insurance, Reuters, Atlanta Braves, and PrudentialDeveloped corporate identity package, increasing brand recognition by 30%Introduced innovative corporate trade show design with packaging assets and collateral hand outs leading to 15% increased foot traffic during eventWorked directly with creative director to overhaul agency website UX/UI for compelling visual narrative and increased usabilityCollaborted with lead strategist to develop brand materials for leading insurance companies communicating better benefits to marketContributed to the creation of visually compelling reports and presentations for high-profile clients

New York, Ny, Us

Designed collection of leading artworks for Sony’s artist roster on multiple labels including Epic, RCA, Masterworks, Sony, Colombia RecordsCollaborated with Creative Directors, Art Directors and Label Artists to develop point of purchase experiences, concert tour merchandise and promotional materials, editorial layouts, and record packagingAttended photoshoots for high-profile artists, assisting with the creation of design assets

New York, Ny, Us

Created key animations for studio client campaigns, websites, and advertisingDeveloped lecture series materials for studio owner’s book tourAttended client meetings and managed project milestonesInitiated studio website redesign for better user experience and categorization of projects, resulting in at 30% site visitor retention

New York , Ny, Us

Played a significant role in high-profile projects for the studio, contributing to successful projects delivered on time and on budgetAssisted studio owner with typographic design for books and installationsCreated editorial illustrations for article assignments from The New York Times, Boston Globe, and Bloomberg Businessweek

New York, Ny, Us

Implemented art direction and successful UX design for AT&T account, spanning digital advertising and 360 campaignsAssisted on key high-profile digital initiatives for multiple accounts within the agencyLed best practices initiative with other digital designers and presented to C-suite leadership for agency adoptionProactively identified and solved design issues, saving the team an average of 10 man-hours each week

Associate Of Arts - Aa, Graphic Design

Bs, History

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Psychology