RESUME | Kevin Stoohs

EXPERIENCE

Experienced creative leader with over two decades of expertise in art direction, production, branding, in-house photography, and AI applications. Strong background in prepress, retouching, and managing cross-functional creative projects for major consumer brands and agencies.

ARTEFFECT STUDIO, NEW YORK, NY: JULY 2009 – PRESENT

Headed and produced all creative work through the latest AI applications including, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, and Perplexity
Freelanced and owned business focusing on print, logo/branding, marketing, direct mail, packaging, POP, large scale indoor/outdoor signage, web graphics, and in-house photography.
Produced ad concepts, websites, and illustrations; developed conceptual interactive campaigns.
Created and designed award-winning sales presentations, direct mail pieces, e-mail promotions, media kits and sell sheets.
Clients included Nestlé Purina: Johnson & Johnson, Fidelity Investments. Fancy Feast, Friskees, Cat Chow, Tidy Cats, Purina One, Beggin’ Strips, Beneful, Busy Bone, Appleton Estate, Dewar’s, Grand Marnier, Möet Chandon, Bicardi, Fortunoff, Van Cleef & Arpel, Tumi, Sally Hanson, Prestige Brands: BC Powder, Goody’s, Fiber Choice, Yardley, Finess, Avrett Free & Ginsberg, Euro RSCG, Foote Cone & Belding, HarperCollins, GT Interactive, Guitar Magazine, Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners, Margeotes Fertitta & Partners, Madison Square Garden, McCann Erickson, Merkley & Partners, MTV, Photo File, Showtime, TBWA Chiat/Day and Young & Rubicam.

GREY NEW YORK, NY: JANUARY 2015 – DECEMBER 2021

Oversaw and headed all mechanicals for the Gillette and Venus accounts and generated package design templates for pre-press.
Improved file management and workflow, ensured internal processes were followed, and communicated with project managers throughout production.
Prepared design layouts into prepress files for offset, web and digital printing; checked content and artwork for correct specifications.
Responsible for product shot and beauty hi-res retouching; worked with tight deadlines and strict budgets.
Clients included AARP, Advil, Ally, Applebee’s, Braun, Cannon, Downy, Eli Lilly, Febreze, Folgers, Gillette, Häagen-Dazs, Herbal Essence, Nestlé, Pandora, Pantene, Pringles, Procter & Gamble, Revlon, Robitussin, Smuckers, Thermacare, Tums, Venus, Volvo, and Walgreens.

THE KAPLAN THALER GROUP, NEW YORK, NY: SEPTEMBER 2005 – JUNE 2009

Created and launched new updated look for Continental Airlines print campaign.
Presented and prepared inspirational ideas for comps, storyboards and new business pitches. Collaborated with creative account teams to develop concepts and marketing solutions.
Prepared final mechanicals for prepress and responsible for all control adherence.
Clients: Ad Counsel, Aflac, Champion, Church & Dwight, Continental Airlines, Girl Scouts of America, Kodak, Lunesta, Office Depot, Outback, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Shire, United Jewish Appeal and US Bank.

TUCKER, HAMPEL, STEFINIDES & PARTNERS, NEW YORK, NY: MARCH 2001 – AUGUST 2005

Compiled creative concepts for broadcast, print, outdoor, and direct mail.
Managed all accounts simultaneously. Worked closely with directors, talent agents and photo stylists.
Directed and supervised commercial edits. Formulated an improved and archiving system.
Clients: Dreyer’s/Edy’s, General Electric, Lucille Roberts, Quaker State, Steve Madden, Subway and Tag Heuer.

JORDAN, MCGRATH, CASE, & PARTNERS, NEW YORK, NY: JUNE 1996 – FEBRUARY 2001

Initiated all jobs from concept to print, meeting tight deadlines using effective time management skills.
Hired and directed for product shots. Sourced stock photography and illustration.
Reviewed and signed-off on press approvals.
Clients: First of America Bank, Juno, Procter & Gamble, Milton Bradley, Novartis and Upjohn.

UNITED STATES NAVY, NORFOLK, VA: JUNE 1989 – OCT 1992

BMSN Seaman Apprentice. 1990 Persian Gulf War Veteran.
Created new logo for Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA.
Awarded National Defense Service Medal.
Honorably Discharged October 6, 1992.

EDUCATION

LYNDA.COM

Online training focusing on website development using Dream Weaver, Flash, After Effects, and Final Cut Pro.

ADHOUSE, NEW YORK, NY

Attended a concentrated 10 week class with Greg DiNoto, CEO of DiNoto Lee Advertising emphasizing creative brainstorming.

SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS, NEW YORK, NY

Bachelor of Fine Arts, May 1996. Double major in Graphic Design and Advertising. Held 4.0 GPA and graduated top 10th percentile.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Expert in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Figma and Adobe Lightroom.
Experienced in the latest AI applications including, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, and Perplexity,
Highly skilled with HTML, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Animate, Keynote, Microsoft PowerPoint, Outlook, WordPress, Acrobat, Fetch, Adsend, FTP, and Microsoft Teams, Slack.
Highly skilled with photo retouching and file management.
Fully capable of trouble-shooting network problems.
Familiar with both Macintosh and Windows platforms.
Sharpened photography skills with knowledge of both Nikon and Cannon cameras with flash studio lighting.
Skilled with both product and portrait photography.
Strong organizational skills with great attention to detail and quality standards.
Advanced knowledge of Digital Prepress Print Production with Trapping, Dot Gain, Dielines, Gate Folds, Spot Colors, Color Separations, Color Correcting, Halftones, Digital Proofs, Binding, Press Checks, Proof Reading, Embossing, Varnish and UV Coating.

AWARDS, SHOWS AND AFFILIATIONS

Finalist for the 20th Annual John Caples Creative Award
Published in Graphis Design Book
One Show Exhibit displayed at the One Club
Alternative Advertising Show displayed at the Art Director’s Club
Winner of the Passion Poster Exhibit displayed at the Art Director’s Club
Member of the One Club, 21 East 26th Street, New York, NY
Member of the Art Director’s Club, 106 West 29th Street, New York, NY
Letter of Appreciation from B.E. Tobin Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA

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