Donna Gentile Email and Phone Number

Develops marketing strategies. Designs creative solutions to fulfill objectives, strengthen brand and grow business. Provides art direction, graphic design, website design, branding, identity systems, sketches, project management, supervision of photography, vendor liaison. Creates original designs, illustrations and content for digital, print, web, social media, eCommerce, eCommunications, tradeshows, product packaging, collateral, presentations, promotional items and more.HIGHLIGHTS• Brand, collateral and website redesign helped Safe & Together Institute (formerly David Mandel & Associates, LLC) triple in size and transform from a small, local business into a global institute with training programs, conferences and partner agencies in North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe.• Redesign of the Plan B Burger Bar brand, logo and identity system in 2010 helped Plan B grow from a small company with two Connecticut locations to a bold leader in the hospitality industry with nine locations across Connecticut and in Springfield, MA, Washington, DC and Ashburn, VA.• Logo and identity system design, comprehensive branding, and visual communication strategy for "Resilience Grows Here" (RGH) helped Farmington Valley Health District win a grant for $100,000 from the Prevention Institute for the RGH mental health initiative for veterans and community.CLIENTSAdvocacy Unlimited, B Restaurants (Plan B Burger Bar), Bullhorn Media, Capital Community College, The Children's Museum, Circle Media, Critical Edge Group, CT-Alive, CT Health Foundation, Dinosaur State Park, Durham Group, Farmington River Financial Group, Farmington Valley Health District, Galata Chemicals, Global Test Equipment, Group Four Design, Hartford Performs, Mintz & Hoke Ad Agency, Morgan Marketing, Ray Charles Jr., Safe & Together Institute, Saxe Doernberger & Vita P.C., The Bushnell of Hartford, Vizionara, United Way, WebMD, WSI Marketing.

Designs, develops and teaches Mandala (designs that radiate out from a unified center) and other therapeutic art workshops that restore a sense of wholeness and wellness to people, communities, relationships and the workplace — think yoga and meditation, but with art! Has worked with incredible B2C companies and organizations in Connecticut and around New England including Advocacy Unlimited, AIM for a Better Tomorrow, Avon Senior Center, The Bushnell of Hartford, CancerCare, Catalyst Foundation, CT Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS), The Connecticut Women's Consortium, CT-Alive, CurArt, Cut Out Cancer, Farmington Valley Health District, Hartford Performs, schools (K-12), assisted living centers, senior centers, veteran's services and more.

Designed, developed and taught visual art workshops at public and private schools in Hartford, CT via Hartford Performs. Attended professional development sessions to enhance teaching abilities, strategies and effectiveness. Aligned all workshops to Connecticut state and national core curriculum standards and requirements for art, science, English, math and social studies.

Reviewed design briefs, designed concepts and executed designs for print, digital and web. Created content for web, print, digital and social. Prepared and released mechanicals. Created photo illustrations and vector logos. Edited copy. Developed identity systems and applied graphic standards.

Developed curriculum and instructed art courses for students age 5-6. Developed curriculum and taught photography courses for students age 9-10 and 11-12. Aligned curriculum to Montessori philosophy and standards. Organized art show featuring students work and engaged students to participate in running the show exhibiting their work and reflecting on all experiences.

Developed, designed and performed sales, marketing, advertising and publicity initiatives. Presented design and illustration portfolios. Maintained and tracked database systems. Met and corresponded with clients to oversee projects through the design process. Served as vendor liaison and performed press approvals. Provided design support.

Developed and implemented design concepts and standards. Designed packaging systems and collateral. Prepared electronic mechanicals for printing. Developed, implemented, trained and monitored production process and guidelines. Performed press approvals, functioned as vendor liaison. Managed, calibrated and maintained computer systems.

Collaborated with Art Directors, Senior Designers and Copywriters to develop advertising solutions from concept to finished visuals. Designed layouts for client presentation. Designed and illustrated logos, brochures and posters. Wrote ad copy.