Karen Schmidt Email & Phone Number

Chicago

VP leader of the design team—responsible for managing and mentoring the group’s designers, staffing and running the day-to-day projects and work allocations. I led comprehensive large-scale branding projects as well as omnichannel brand campaigns from concept development through to execution, with a focus on earned media and culturally relevant creative for existing clients and new business opportunities. Clients included and not limited to:Kellogg's, Samsung, Hologic Women's Health, Pfizer, Lilly, Field Roast, Bush's Beans, Principal Financial Group, Scholastics, KFC, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, Horizon Pharma

Chicago

Freelance art director and designer, responsible for concept/campaign development, layout and design, execution and production.Agencies to note: Geometry Global, Akimbo, EdelmanClients: Kraft, GSK, General-Mills, Mondalez, Phillip-Morris; Anheuser Busch, Barilla PastaCreated the brand identity for various restaurants/bars. Collaborated with architectural designers—from initial concept/vision to logo design and visual identity/graphic extensions, to final execution of website, collateral and graphics within the physical space.

Chicago

Planned and executed marketing events for Francesca's RestaurantsCreated Brand Identity for Glazed & Infused Doughnuts:– Crafted the brand identity, brand personality and standards for the restaurant.– Designed all graphic elements; logo, menus, signage (outdoor and indoor), posters, coffee cups and sleeves, promo pieces, boxes, bags, stamps.– Concept design for the website

Chicago

Co-lead of the Kraft-JELL-O account:Campaign concept and development, creative direction, layout and design and production for TV, print, OOH, ambient and digital executions. Campaigns to note are Jello-Make Fun, which tested as Kraft's highest scoring TV commercial to date, and HELLO JELLO, another very successful campaign.I also worked on digital and shopper campaigns for Coca Cola Sprite and 7-ElevenOther project to note:Valspar Creative collaboration in Shanghai.

Design work: In collaboration with architectural designers, created brand identities for various restaurants, bars and small businesses. Skills include Brand development, strategic design thinking, logo design, design leadership, packaging design, visual communication, environmental graphics and installations. Adept in specialized print production.ACD work: Concept and campaign development, layout and design for print, TV, OOH, Experiential, and Digital platforms.Ad Agencies of note:DDB, iLEO, BBDS, Bozel, Campbell Mithun, Ketchum, Burrell, Element 79, Draft, Suhail Design Studio

First American Bank, Corona, Zenith, Popeye's Chicken

Chicago, Il

McDonald's

Bfa, Design. Minor Photography

Graphic Design + Advertising

specialized portfolio classes in advertising and design