THE RUNDOWN.
Howdy. Aloha. I’m Ty. I am a multi-disciplinary creative (designer, art director, and associate creative director) raised in many places called home over the years; Hawaii is the most treasured, whereas Texas remains the dearest to my heart. While attempting to enrich the world through storytelling and design, I’ve had the chance to work on some amazing teams and extraordinary projects for brands/clients such as: Hulu, Vans, Mercedes-AMG, The U.S. Marine Corps, NCSOFT, Coca-Cola, Shell, Verizon Wireless, TGI Fridays, and Burn Energy Drinks.
I love graphic design, and never take for granted the opportunity to use my talents in a way that can be beneficial to others. I draw my inspiration from many sources that include: personal projects, the wild outdoors, playing and viewing a vast range of sports, martial arts and ancient warrior cultures, back-issue comic books (mostly Batman), the Star Wars of old, anything James Victore, Chris Do, and Michael Bierut has to say, writers like J. R. R. Tolkien, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Grant Morrison, filmmakers like Richard Linklater, Wes Anderson, and Christopher Nolan, podcasts such as the JRE, Design Matters, Creative Pep Talk, Having a GAS, and The Nine Club. I am a design samurai with the desire to turn my inspirations and passions into purpose and meaning.
THE MINDSET.
NEVER GROW UP.
I can vividly remember spending hours, sometimes days as a child playing with action figures. No matter the environment or atmosphere, I often sought to create new worlds in which my characters could interact. There was always a real sense of freedom to create new logical and illogical stories full of adventure, exploration, dangerous missions, and treasure hunts. Consequently by being so immersed in play I entered a space where time became irrelevant through the power of perpetual motion and supplemental creativity. By virtue of unfiltered joy and enthusiasm I was experiencing real timelessness. I later found that same connection through art and design. Hours can pass with serene ease while sketching thumbnails, assembling color harmonies, browsing imagery, playing with anchor points and line weights, and adjusting type or shifting pixels across the screen.
The challenge as an adult now lies in the ability to connect with that same child-like mindset of play or flow and use it to create better work and discover new styles. Design, more often than not grants me the freedom to explore, play, adapt, move, and create beautiful visuals everyday; regardless of the medium, restrictions, or style. With such freedom I’ve always felt the responsibility to bring as much of myself as I can to every project while also taking the time to dive deep, explore further, research more, and seek out solutions when they lie beyond my savvy. Thankfully as a creative professional, I still get the chance to play, invent, build connections, shake things up, create new experiences whether digital or tactile, make people feel things, share stories, and create new worlds everyday. The only thing that’s changed is the tools and toys…okay, maybe just the tools.
THE EXPERIENCE:
Graphic Design Manager | Visit Huntington Beach
August 2024 – Present
Huntington Beach, CA
Responsible for collaborating and strategizing with multiple teams on a wide range of digital and print materials, leading and developing exceptional design work that meets business goals, and taking ideas from concepts to final deliverables that connect and maintain a cohesive brand presentation across all VHB departments.
Associate Creative Director, Design | Wunderman Thompson
March 2022 – July 2023
Atlanta, GA • Remote
Responsible for leading primary design practice and working with local, national, and global clients across a variety of industries to deliver thoughtful brand ideas and elevated design experiences–from traditional advertising to emerging technology–that inspire audiences while solving complex business and marketing challenges.
Clients include: U.S. Marine Corps, SCANA Energy, Shell, Sprite, and Gold Peak.
Associate Creative Director, Design | Tillys
April 2021 – February 2022
Irvine, CA
Translated brand voice and innovation strategy into powerful creative concepts with the overall goal of elevating and unifying the brand experience and emerging content, provided more impactful storytelling, and aided in growing the retail customer base across multiple touch-points that include digital, social media, environmental, and print. Led teams consisting of designers, photographers, freelancers, content creators, and third-party vendors throughout yearly campaigns, product launches, and digital marketing for online and local retail stores across California.
Senior Visual & Web Designer | NCSOFT
July 2018 – March 2021
Aliso Viejo, CA
Worked as part of an in-house publishing team responsible for original projects from concept to production, creative strategy, brand positioning, and the creation of high quality custom assets for marketing efforts across the entire video game portfolio. More specific duties include: UX/UI design of new and current game sites, logos for in-game features and currency, logos for expansions and new player campaigns, game launchers, in-game banners, and social media content for MMORPG’s and select AAA games.
Senior Digital Designer | Vans, a VF Company
November 2017 – May 2018
Orange County, CA
Created branded imagery and digital content for Vans.com, Vault by Vans, email, and partner sites within the Digital Creative Services Team. Other duties included the delivery of concepts, static visual comps, mock-ups, and final layout or design executions; assistance with brand creative toolkits, motion design, product photography, photo re-touching, partner site display ads, and flyers for in-store events and promotions within the Global Marketing Team.
Art Director | Rauxa
January 2017 – November 2017
Orange County, CA
Responsible for the development, creation, conceptualization and design execution of digital projects, client presentations, and direct marketing campaigns for web, social media, email, signage, and publications.
Clients include: Verizon Wireless, Gap Inc. Brands, Blue Shield of CA, Allergan, & TGI Fridays.
Senior Visual Designer | HUGE
August 2016 – January 2017
Los Angeles, CA
Partnered with the Visual Design Team to concept, collaborate, and create digital media and large-scale product experiences for web, mobile, desktop, and home console applications. Created and optimized complex user flows while developing intuitive and engaging experiences for the product. Collaborated closely with product managers and their respective teams, UX designers, and engineers. Routinely designed visual mockups/prototypes from wireframes and final designs to be delivered as production-ready assets for development. Part of small team tasked with development and maintenance of overall brand content library and visual identity system.
Clients include: Hulu & CKE
Senior Designer | blacQube
January 2015 – August 2016
Atlanta, GA
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Graphic Designer | blacQube
January 2013 – January 2015
Atlanta, GA
Worked as part of a team to concept, strategize, and design digital, interactive, and traditional pieces—which includes global and marketing assets for web and mobile presence across multiple platforms, interactive media, digital and print ads, print and e-brochures, way finding, trade-show/private events and launch graphics, infographics, copywriting, and social content across multiple channels for the following brands: Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Benz USA, Cigarette Racing, AMG Private Lounge, AMG Driving Academy, NAPA, Flexdrive, & Ehrmann USA.
Graphic Designer | Sagepath Inc.
April 2012 – January 2013
Atlanta, GA
Worked as part of a team to concept, create, and produce both traditional and interactive pieces—which includes marketing assets for web and mobile presence, print ads, package design, brand identity, look-books, infographics, copywriting, and social content across multiple channels for the following brands: Coca-Cola, Salvation (Hurley), The World of Coca-Cola, Candoni Wines, NAPA, Burn Energy Drinks, Home Decorators Collection, & Home Depot.
THE VOLUNTEER:
AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization)
Marketing Lead & Graphic Designer (Irvine 213)
February 2021 - August 2024
Serve as the lead designer on high-level pursuits and efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and increase kids soccer registration (5U-12U) or participation in AYSO programs across Southern California. Collaborate closely with marketing, coaches, and other internal teams of volunteers to ensure alignment and cohesion across all design materials and transmedia storytelling.
THE EDUCATION:
The Creative Circus
Graphic Design
January 2010 - December 2011
Atlanta, GA
University of the Incarnate Word
B.A. Computer Graphic Arts Major (Print & Web)
Minor - Theatre Arts
August 2004 - May 2008
San Antonio, TX
THE PROFICIENCIES:
Adobe Creative Suite
UX/UI
Branding & Identity
Critical Thinking / Problem Solving / Strategy
Art Direction / Creative Direction
Sketch / Figma
InVision / Prototyping Tools
Illustration / Storyboards
Creative Writing
Digital Marketing
Photography / Photo Direction
Photo Retouching / Editing
Video Direction / Video Editing
Motion Graphics / Motion Direction
Microsoft Office
Pop Culture Historian & Star Wars Guru
THE NOTEWORTHY:
Gold ADDY, 2023 Public Service Television
USMC—Toys for Tots Holiday PSA
Wunderman Thompson (ATL)
Gold ADDY 2023Computer Generated Imagery
Silver ADDY, 2023 Reg./Natl. Television Commercial
Bronze ADDY 2023Integrated Ad Campaign
USMC—Shifting Threats
Wunderman Thompson (ATL)
Site of the Month – Feb 2014 (Mercedes-AMG GLA 45)
kreativeshowcase.com
blacQube
OMMA 2013 — Website Excellence: Winner Automotive (Mercedes-AMG S 63)
blacQube
Gold, Silver, and Bronze Student Awards —
Creative Circus | 2010-2011
DSVC Student Show 2008 Category Winner
(Brochures & Catalogs)
