Loree Beth F. Sowards Email & Phone Number

Huntsville, Alabama, United States

I am a versatile resource for in-house agency and design teams in the CPG space. My current portfolio of projects includes deliverables such as packaging design, print production, in-store activations (POP Displays: End Caps, Floor Graphics, Shelf Talkers, Neckers, and Coupons), digital asset creation for web, social, and email, and marketing materials.

Boulder, Colorado

• Led and managed a high output team of 2 full-time designers, 1 full-time in-house contractor, 2 part-time contract designers and 5 High Household Income Brands (Earth Balance, Evol, Gardein, Glutino, Udi's Gluten Free) responsible for maintaining all brand design aspects for over 350 SKUs• Implemented a strategic package design development process that included: improved creative briefs, category audits, shelf analysis, design exploration, and design presentation, resulting in the in-house teams' ability to effectively design new product and category launches: Evol Modern Nutrition Frozen Meals, Evol Flavor Fusion Burritos, Evol Breakfast Bowls, Evol Breakfast Burritos, Udi's Frozen Meals, Udi's Delicious Gluten-Free Bread, Gardein Skillet Meals, Earth Balance Nut Butters Mix-Ins, Earth Balance European Style Butter and the complete brand refresh for Glutino from the in-house design team.• Managed post-acquisition transition of 1000+ Gardein creative assets from Vancouver and San Francisco creative teams to Boulder HQ• Implemented Evol package design renovation for all SKUs.• Oversaw production of all packaging elements including innovation re-formulations, FDA nutrition panel update, and supply chain driven changes for 6 brands.• Managed a design team budget of 100K while coordinating with cross-functional brand team members for additional funding to support resources.

Boulder, Colorado, United States

• Led design efforts for Glutino, Udi's Gluten Free, Udi's Gluten Free UK—package design, photography, in-store display, POP, digital assets, and trade show graphics• Designed packaging, directed photography

Boulder, Colorado, United States

• Led design efforts for Smart Balance, Earth Balance, and LEVEL Life Brands—package design, photography, in-store display, POP, digital assets, and trade show graphics• Designed package refresh and new category launches for Smart Balance Butter, Smart Balance Mayo, Smart Balance Oil Spray• Designed packaging and directed photography of new product launches for Earth Balance Mac N Cheese, Earth Balance Cheese Crackers, and Earth Balance Culinary Spreads

Boulder, Colorado

Greater Denver Area

• Led a team of four designers (direct-reports) in dual locations (Denver, CO and San Juan Bautista, CA)• Guided design implementation for Earthbound Farm Organic brand restage (300+ SKUs): package design and production, photography, in-store display, POP, and sales materials• Led design development with agency and in-house designers for new category launches of Chopped Kits, Salad Dressings, and Frozen Vegetables.• Led design and development of brand guidelines for newly implemented look and feel with agency.• Assessed and implemented new process, resources, project management and review software for design team, in a post-acquisition and upcoming merger climate

Greater Denver Area

• Re-invented format of industry award submissions by creating digital story books, resulting in over 10 industry awards in one awards season• Re-designed company logo suite, business stationary, menus, truck wraps, and sales materials• Led design and implementation of new website with agency• Designed and executed three seasonal print and digital media campaigns• Designed and executed custom accents as needed for high-profile events• Photographed details of events as needed for award submissions and company archives

Greater Denver Area

• Re-imagined two annual product catalogs, including photo shoot for 300+ products• Managed packaging production for 5 consumer product lines, 1000+ products printed both offshore and domestic

Columbus, Ohio Area

Primary accomplishment was concepting and executing the Slatkin & Co. home fragrance line re-launch with design team. My specific role during the re-launch phase involved packaging development, photography direction (research, shoots, and retouch), mechanical art production, on press approvals, post-production approval and establishing standards for continuous improvement for over 800 pieces of artwork in 6 weeks.

Artists on Art was an oral history project documenting Ohio artists through in-depth audio visual interviews, photographs of work, and artist statements. As coordinator of artists' materials for on-line content, my primary focus was advising outside organizations of best practices for creating and preparing web material, as well as managing the uploading process for new content. All material now archived at The Ohio Historical Society.

As the first in-house graphic designer, my primary role was learning. In this role, I learned how to take designs through all the steps of print production—pre-press, film and plate making, offset press check, bindry. This role is the why I comprehend all things print.

I had the pleasure of creating and teaching art projects for youth campers!