Tom Deja Email & Phone Number

Oak Park, IL, US

Oak Park, IL

• Nearly two decades of experience collaborating with a long and varied list of clients, and a wide variety of design projects, both large and small.
• Logo and Marketing Design: created marketing materials encompassing logos, branding systems, one-sheets, brochures, CD and DVD packaging, advertisements, posters, and more for clients including Nissan, Lever, Meijer.
• Publication Design: designed and laid out books, book covers, and magazines for clients such as Simon & Schuster, ReaderLink, Bazillion Points, CSP Business Media, and Flavour Cooking School.
• Digital Design: worked on website, mobile and banner ads, and HTML email concepts and designs for companies like Vivaki, redbox, Jump with Jill Productions, 10 Clicks Touring, Flavour Cooking School, and others.
• Editorial Illustration: hired to create illustrations for such newspapers and magazines as Disney Adventures, New York Newsday, Highlights, Chicago Parent, Washington City Paper, Daily Southtown, Delaware Today, and.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• In-house graphic designer for a start-up that produces allergen-friendly foods.
• helped develop and enforce brand standards
• designed and updated packaging for several different products including thins, crispbreads, crackers, and dips
• created marketing and sales materials, including brochures, one sheets, and investor presentations
• designed print and online ads, social media posts, website images, and created HTML emails

American Midwest

• Founded with Christian Fuller and Chris Tait
• Featuring t-shirts, posters, hoodies, and more, all designed by me.
• Retail presence at The Rustbelt Market, Ferndale, MI
• More designs and products to come

Oak Park, IL

• First-ever graphic designer hired by the library. Implemented a consistent branding program, created logos, event posters, and marketing materials, while contributing to my community.
• revised and updated the decade-old Oak Park Public Library logo, and created the library’s first branding style guide
• created graphics, posters, logos, and banners for a record-breaking (3500+ kids) summer reading program
• designed the logo, online branding, and posters for Genre X, an award-winning literary program, credited with growing the library’s patronage
• presented with two Best of Show awards from the American Library Association for patron-oriented work

• Hired as senior marketing designer for this media company with over 15 properties in development and production, including publishing, television, licensing, and new media.
• created Halloween-themed product concepts and merchandising materials for all 1500 Target Stores; an exclusive program which generated more than $6M in retail sales in an eight-week period
• designed or led design of property logos, book covers, promotional materials, web sites, and graphics for the Edgar & Ellen animated series
• developed property style guides, marketing materials, and all corporate communications
• hired, managed, and served as mentor to a team of graphic designers and design interns

Chicago, IL

• Designer for a small, but successful studio. Worked directly with client contacts, printers, and freelance copywriters to create logos, advertising, annual reports, and corporate identity programs.
• developed ground-up identity programs for new clients, including brainstorming company names and developing brand plans
• designed packaging for several clients in the food industry
• conceptualized and designed promotional giveaways for clients as well as the studio itself

Chicago, IL

• Led graphic design for this multinational HR software developer, with offices on five continents and a sales staff in the hundreds.
• reassessed the dated brand and created a new, contemporary, and coherent visual identity and style guide
• created a logo, advertising program, and marketing materials for their first product launch in over a decade
• managed, reviewed, and hired design staff

• Hired as an art director for Thompson Target Media’s ground breaking children’s website FreeZone, promoted to senior graphic designer in charge of all print within a year.
• managed design and production of nationally syndicated newspaper insert, found in over 100 markets — reaching 4 million homes and 5,000 classrooms
• sat in on editorial meetings and pitched content for both the newspaper insert and the site, including special promotions, animated shorts, and stories
• hired and directed freelance illustrators and designers

• Brought in largest client—Meijer Inc.—and served as creative mentor to the client’s design team, holding weekly critiques of their work.
• Created successful retail campaign for Meijer Inc. Halloween program, including logos, store signage and print advertising. Renamed and created logo for Meijer Inc. sporting goods department.

• Designed a new logo for the UHL hockey team, the Muskegon Fury, which quickly grew into a popular license.
• Conceptualized, wrote and designed outdoor advertising campaigns.

• Created promotional logos, print advertising, store signage, advertising promotions, and special projects. Art directed five in-house magazines, directed numerous photo shoots, and managed their production.
• Hired and supervised freelance designers, illustrators and copywriters.