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I am a creative leader and design director with over two decades of experience driving visual storytelling and brand expression across publishing, editorial, and mission-driven platforms. I excel at guiding end-to-end creative processes—from concept development and art direction to production oversight and vendor management—delivering high-quality print and digital experiences that balance impact with usability and accessibility. I thrive in fast-paced environments, combining big-picture strategy with hands-on execution, and I bring a practical, collaborative leadership style to every project.…I am a creative leader and design director with over two decades of experience driving visual storytelling and brand expression across publishing, editorial, and mission-driven platforms. I excel at guiding end-to-end creative processes—from concept development and art direction to production oversight and vendor management—delivering high-quality print and digital experiences that balance impact with usability and accessibility. I thrive in fast-paced environments, combining big-picture strategy with hands-on execution, and I bring a practical, collaborative leadership style to every project.

Dagon James

Creative Director, Art Director, Designer, +2

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I am a creative leader and design director with over two decades of experience driving visual storytelling and brand expression across publishing, editorial, and mission-driven platforms. I excel at guiding end-to-end creative processes—from concept development and art direction to production oversight and vendor management—delivering high-quality print and digital experiences that balance impact with usability and accessibility. I thrive in fast-paced environments, combining big-picture strategy with hands-on execution, and I bring a practical, collaborative leadership style to every project.…I am a creative leader and design director with over two decades of experience driving visual storytelling and brand expression across publishing, editorial, and mission-driven platforms. I excel at guiding end-to-end creative processes—from concept development and art direction to production oversight and vendor management—delivering high-quality print and digital experiences that balance impact with usability and accessibility. I thrive in fast-paced environments, combining big-picture strategy with hands-on execution, and I bring a practical, collaborative leadership style to every project.

Available to hire

I am a creative leader and design director with over two decades of experience driving visual storytelling and brand expression across publishing, editorial, and mission-driven platforms.

I excel at guiding end-to-end creative processes—from concept development and art direction to production oversight and vendor management—delivering high-quality print and digital experiences that balance impact with usability and accessibility. I thrive in fast-paced environments, combining big-picture strategy with hands-on execution, and I bring a practical, collaborative leadership style to every project.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

DaVinci Resolve Studio

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Founder & Creative Director at The Waverly Press

January 1, 2010 - October 29, 2025

Lead an independent publishing house focused on preserving and amplifying voices from pop, counterculture, and activist histories. Direct the full creative and operational cycle—concept development, editorial, design, production, distribution—for limited-edition books and print series. Published over 25 titles now held in permanent collections at Yale, Stanford, SVA, Smithsonian Libraries, Andy Warhol Museum and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Center projects on cultural equity, justice movements, LGBTQ+ figures, and forgotten archives. Collaborated with icons such as Brigid Berlin, Glenn O’Brien, John Cale, Fran Drescher, Jimmy Page, and John Waters. Directed and curated major museum exhibitions (e.g., Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition). Produced and marketed longform content and visual narratives across platforms with a clear moral and cultural voice.

Founder & Principal Art Director at Hyphen-Hyphen (Creative Consultancy)

January 1, 2010 - October 29, 2025

Deliver bespoke visual strategy and design services for nonprofits, museums, publishers, and advocacy campaigns. Created identity systems and exhibition graphics for institutions advancing social and cultural change. Led full art direction for rebrands and editorial initiatives for mission-driven clients. Deep engagement with accessibility standards, inclusive representation, and values alignment. Managed complex timelines, budgets, and creative teams while maintaining excellence.

Art Director at Reel Art Press

December 31, 2016 - December 31, 2016

Oversaw visual development for high profile photography and art books focused on underrepresented, politically and culturally charged visual histories. Directed all phases of development, archival research, edit and design. Partnered with estates, artists, and institutions to tell untold stories in visual culture. Elevated marginalized narratives through rigorous editorial structure and clear, impactful design.

Art Director (Contract) at HarperCollins Publishers

December 31, 2014 - December 31, 2014

Designed and produced Joe Eula: Master of 20th Century Fashion Illustration, a critical exploration of fashion, identity, and modernism. Oversaw creative direction, edit and design with contributors Cathy Horyn and Melisa Gosnell. Managed production, proofing, and vendor coordination to deliver a museum-quality publication.

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Art Director at Lid Magazine

December 31, 2014 - December 31, 2014

Created and led a bi-annual magazine dedicated to elevating archival and contemporary art rooted in cultural disruption and liberation movements. Produced 17 issues, blending original commissions with curated historical work. Collaborated with photographers, writers, and editors to unearth forgotten creative legacies. Championed experimental, justice-driven content in a visually refined format.

Graphic Designer and Creative Consultant (Freelance) at Marc Jacobs

December 31, 2006 - December 31, 2006

Supported creative direction for apparel and visual assets across campaigns, retail, and e-commerce. Designed iconic “Blondie” t-shirt and brand-forward apparel visuals. Managed internal design projects and oversaw the redesign of the company website.