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Don Gura
Art Direction, United States Idaho Boise
 
1012 Berkeley Street
Boise, ID 83705-2133
Tel: 2083717683
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Brief Summary
There’s no such thing as a hitting a brick wall for ideas.
Calm and quiet is better than aggressive and loud.
My right hand always knows what my left foot is doing.
Being a good mentor means more practice on your own.

As a creative leader at a global direct sales company with annual sales of nearly $500 million, I led a team of designers and illustrators through an extensive company rebrand. I invented ways to concept and lay out bi-annual catalogs on an aggressive timeline. I unified a creative team to build an annual convention to showcase new products and selling materials.

I’ve ran my own company where I once gave a talk at a PubWest book publishers conference while standing on my head. Literally. I made my point visually and captured everyone’s attention. I was offered two book design projects after that speech.

I’d love to talk to you about your senior art director position. I think I might be your guy.

Visit me at www.donguraportfolio.com and send me an email at [email protected] to learn more. 
Clients
» FTI Corporation
» Compass Lexecon
» Civic Enterprise
» Jacksons Foods
» Albertsons
» Hewlett Packard (through Oliver Russell and Assoc.)
» Weyerhaeuser
» Special Olympics – 2009 World Winter Games
» Iyengar Yoga Association of the United States (IYNAUS)
» St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
» Syngenta Seeds, Inc.
» Brunswick
» Sawtooth Society
» Brokers International Mountain States
» Dowdy’s Automotive
» Idaho Inclusiveness Coalition
» The American Cancer Society
» J Crist Gallery
» ProClarity Corp.
» Dalrymples Condiments
» Sara Lee
» Jakers Bar & Grill
» Motorola
» Verizon
» Publicis
» Treasure Valley YMCA
» Populas Furniture
» Wood River Cellars
» Remedy Skincare
» Smooth Stride
» VeloPress
» Parvatti Productions
» Glenn Oakley Photography 
Professional Experience
DON GURA
CREATIVE DIRECTOR/LEADER/DESIGNER
1012 Berkeley Street
Boise, ID 83705-2133
208 371 7683
[email protected]
www.dongura.com

EXPERIENCE

SCENTSY INC | DEC 2013 – PRESENT | MERIDIAN, ID
DIRECTOR OF DESIGN
Promoted to this position within 3 months of hire (as a senior designer), I manage a creative team of 12 staff, directing all phases of project planning, concept-formulation, and design. Specifically, my key responsibilities include:
• developing creative processes and work plans that foster collaboration and on-strategy results
• building a corporate portfolio of eye-catching and successful advertising to promote multiple brands
• leading complex projects on tight deadlines
• balancing decisive creative direction with nurturing in the course of leading a team of designers, writers, printers and marketing representatives
Projects and duties include:
• designing catalog and event campaigns that support separate brands
• managing ongoing, monthly promotions, email and social media campaigns, and
catalog updates
• bolstering creative ideas with cutting-edge technology to devise enticing and effective marketing materials
• wielding design tools to tell compelling stories about company products

DON GURA GRAPHIC DESIGN | APRIL 2004 – DEC 2013 | BOISE, ID
PRESIDENT | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
As owner of a small and nimble graphic design agency, I served a diverse clientele, providing a broad portfolio of print and web design strategies for customer satisfaction. Key projects involved:
• developing brand strategies across multiple platforms including print and web-based media
• providing three-dimensional solutions, such as packaging, vehicle wraps and premium
• creating book cover and interior designs, particularly for the endurance sports industry
CLIENTS: Hewlett-Packard, FTI Consulting, Compass Lexecon, Weyerhaeuser, VeloPress,
Jacksons Foods, Icon Credit Union

BHI | OCTOBER 1999 – APRIL 2004 | CHICAGO, IL
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
At this full-service communications design firm I managed a team of designers, servicing well-established clients. My key responsibilities included:
• creating tradeshow booths, business collateral and advertising campaigns
• supervising production and generating annual reports
• developing brand identities
• designing websites
CLIENTS: Brunswick, Cisco, First Industrial Realty Trust, Verizon, ShopperTrakRCT

BCN COMMUNICATIONS | JULY 1996 – MAY 1999 | CHICAGO, IL
ART DIRECTOR
At this strategic, creative firm, I developed and managed collateral to satisfy high-level,
corporate client needs. My key responsibilities included:
• designing award-winning advertising campaigns
• producing annual reports
• creating corporate identities and branding campaigns
CLIENTS: Sara Lee, Motorola, Boston Market, Einstein/Noah Bagel Corp., G. Leblanc Corp.

BAGBY AND COMPANY INC. | SEPTEMBER 1995 – JULY 1996 | CHICAGO, IL
ART DIRECTOR
At this graphic services company, I gained early experience in the service of well-established
clients. My key responsibilities included:
• designing annual reports
• developing fragrance and body care packaging
• creating identity programs
CLIENTS: Spiegel, Inc., Eddie Bauer, Coty, Graycor

COKER GOLLEY | SEPTEMBER 1993– AUGUST 1995 | ATLANTA, GA
As a budding industrial designer, I gained my first skills in the business. My key
responsibilities included:
• developing product designs
• creating drawings for production
• creating packaging designs
CLIENTS: Coca-Cola

EDUCATION

PORTFOLIO CENTER | MARCH 1995 | ATLANTA, GA
At this graphic design school, I gleaned the skill set necessary to transition from a career in
industrial design to graphic design.

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY | DECEMBER 1985 | KENT, OH
Earned Bachelor of Science in industrial design


Awards and Recognition
AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

PUBWEST

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF GRAPHIC ARTISTS (AIGA)

AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION (AAF)

MIDWEST REGIONAL AWARD—INCLUDING 1999 BEST OF SHOW
Leblanc ad campaign

1997 TRIAD AWARD
Sara Lee Annual Report

PORTFOLIO CENTER
Two-time scholarship recipient

INDUSTRIAL DESIGNERS SOCIETY OF AMERICA
Atlanta Chapter Treasurer/Secretary 1989-1993

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