John Palka Email & Phone Number

United States

Santa Cruz, California

• Managed and executed on all visual design aspects of the business. Including:
• graphic design and art direction for print and digital
• visual merchandising and product display
• development and design of interior spaces and retail fixtures
• managing and art direction of a jr. designer
• participated on additional internal teams to develop sales, events, and produce menu selections

Aptos, CA

Graphic Designer for small design studio specializing in corporate event design for tech companies in Silicon Valley. Projects vary from large format graphics, directional signage, corporate prospectuses, menus, web banner ads, email direct marketing and social media graphics.

Santa Cruz, California

I have maintained a healthy client list of freelance work throughout my career. Projects range from logo design to digital photo retouching; direct mail, posters, sportswear application design, t-shirts, hand lettering, illustration, social media graphics and sign painting.Clientele includes performance sportswear, specialty food and wine industry brands.

Current- Santa Cruz

• As a core member of the Marketing team, I was responsible for
• Working closely with the Marketing manager to increase WFM’s presence in the community through social media channels and public events while building brand value and awareness outside the retail environment with.
• Working closely with corporate Marketing and Design teams to create brand standard marketing materials used in retail stores throughout the Northern California region
• Participated as a graphic designer and chalk board artist in the opening of over 20 retail locations across Colorado and California
• Corporate trainer on brand standards and visual identity for over ten new graphic designers coming into the company
• Built and maintained large databases of all retail signs.

Santa Cruz, California

• Originally responsible for designing posters to advertising games, the role expanded with the League as the sport grew in popularity both locally and nationally. The new Art Direction roll included
• Development of a graphic identity and visual marketing plan
• Assembling a graphic standards manual for a cohesive look across all marketing and advertising platforms
• Created and managed advertising across social media channels, print and digital displays
• Design promotional posters for all games. Several of these designs were published in the book Bout Book- The He(ART) of Roller Derby

Louisville, Colorado

• I was part of the team that established and launched a new custom sublimation printing division for Pearl Izumi. Purchased and installed all print shop equipment. Set procedures, implemented standards and hired and.
• Represented Pearl Izumi custom apparel graphics at InterBike and Outdoor Retailer trade shows and consulted with clients on their custom sublimation design needs
• Worked closely with the product design team to design and implement graphics for everything from jerseys, shorts and socks to helmets, bags, gloves and vehicle wraps
• Designed the Tour de France uniform graphics for the USPS National Cycling Team in 1999

Bachelor’S Degree, Graphic Design

Certificate Degree- Website Design, Basic Html