I'm Dakota Whitney, a Sr. Creative with extensive experience in art direction and print production. Over the past decade and more, I’ve led design and packaging projects for major retailers and brands, driving cohesive creative across web, print, and in-store activations. I thrive at the intersection of design and production, turning bold ideas into manufacturable, retail-ready assets that move products off the shelves. I’m a collaborative, growth-minded leader who enjoys building strong teams and scalable processes. I’m passionate about mentoring, exploring new printing technologies, and optimizing workflows to improve quality and efficiency. I’m seeking a long-term opportunity with a forward-thinking company where I can bring strategic vision, hands-on leadership, and a positive, team-first attitude to help the brand stand out in a competitive market.…

Dakota Whitney

I'm Dakota Whitney, a Sr. Creative with extensive experience in art direction and print production. Over the past decade and more, I’ve led design and packaging projects for major retailers and brands, driving cohesive creative across web, print, and in-store activations. I thrive at the intersection of design and production, turning bold ideas into manufacturable, retail-ready assets that move products off the shelves. I’m a collaborative, growth-minded leader who enjoys building strong teams and scalable processes. I’m passionate about mentoring, exploring new printing technologies, and optimizing workflows to improve quality and efficiency. I’m seeking a long-term opportunity with a forward-thinking company where I can bring strategic vision, hands-on leadership, and a positive, team-first attitude to help the brand stand out in a competitive market.…

Available to hire

I’m Dakota Whitney, a Sr. Creative with extensive experience in art direction and print production. Over the past decade and more, I’ve led design and packaging projects for major retailers and brands, driving cohesive creative across web, print, and in-store activations. I thrive at the intersection of design and production, turning bold ideas into manufacturable, retail-ready assets that move products off the shelves.

I’m a collaborative, growth-minded leader who enjoys building strong teams and scalable processes. I’m passionate about mentoring, exploring new printing technologies, and optimizing workflows to improve quality and efficiency. I’m seeking a long-term opportunity with a forward-thinking company where I can bring strategic vision, hands-on leadership, and a positive, team-first attitude to help the brand stand out in a competitive market.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Director of Creative & Design at THE CREATIVE GURUS, LLC (Simple Living Solutions®)
November 1, 2022 - Present
Provide overall Creative Design & Operational Management for all CPG product & retailer packaging, displays, & schematics. Creative Development & Execution of digital/e-commerce/in-store assets to support our B2B & B2C Marketing & Advertising Strategies. Part of Executive Management Team (CEO & CFO) and leader of Creative & Marketing CPG packaging for major retail customer accounts. Strategist for brand & product marketing across web, email, social media, print, tradeshows, POP displays; create assets & drive creative visual marketing via print & web; design and produce all tradeshow materials; develop presentations for Sales; create in-store retail marketing (displays, banners, etc.); collaborate with Sales, Logistics, and Vendors.
Marketing & Print Manager at Driver Industrial Safety™
August 1, 2015 - Present
Marketing Manager – lead designer and strategist for all brand & product marketing across mediums (web, email, social, print, tradeshows). Manage all company marketing assets & guidelines; provide Sales tools; lead design and production of tradeshow displays; manage print production and large format graphics; oversee projects from concept to installation; manage team and production workflow; maintain and troubleshoot machines; lead in website development & digital marketing & e-campaigns globally.
Production Manager at IMAGE 360 - formerly Signs Now-Fort Collins
August 1, 2015 - October 15, 2025
Managed print & design team for all clients and internal workflow. Conducted daily production meetings, managed inventory, set processes for workflow efficiency, ran and troubleshot machines, designed & produced signage (dimensional letters, vehicle wraps, large format graphics), major signage projects for CSU and local clients; maintained a clean shop and fostered a productive team environment.
Sr. Designer & Production Manager at Industrial Decals Co.® / Add-A-Wrap
July 1, 2014 - October 15, 2025
Managed all in-house departments (sales, design, production, install) and led a team of designers and installers for all sign shop and vehicle wrap projects. Responsible for design, prepress, print production, equipment maintenance, inventory, purchasing, and customer solutions.
Graphic Designer & Print Production Specialist at Sign Design
August 31, 2012 - October 15, 2025
Lead designer & print specialist on all customer projects (tradeshow materials, packaging, banners, menus, signage, vehicle graphics). Set up jobs for prepress; operated & maintained printers/plotters; final assembly & finishing.
Art Director at GREY Group Korea
March 31, 2010 - October 15, 2025
Concept ideation and design across product packaging and all advertising mediums; client pitches; in-store marketing; launch campaigns; contributed to photoshoots and presentations.
Art Director Intern at Crispin Porter + Bogusky
January 31, 2009 - October 15, 2025
Concept ideation, production & layout mockups; client pitches; photoshoots; research for campaigns; supported Creative Directors on major client pitches.
Lead Designer at Essential Extractions Corp.
December 31, 2023 - October 15, 2025
Lead designer responsible for branding, product launches, tradeshow booths, and digital marketing assets.
Lead Designer at PhytoRemedies LLC
December 31, 2019 - October 15, 2025
Lead designer for branding and launch materials for multiple product lines.
Creative Director at Spark Distributors
December 31, 2019 - October 15, 2025
Creative direction for branding and packaging; development of marketing assets and campaigns for new products.
Designer at Cadeka Microcircuits
December 31, 2011 - October 15, 2025
Design internal marketing materials (brochures, catalogs, data sheets).
Director of Creative & Design at THE CREATIVE GURUS, LLC (Simple Living Solutions®) – Scottsdale, AZ
November 1, 2022 - Present
Provide overall Creative Design & Operational Management for all CPG product & retailer packaging, displays, & schematics. Lead creative development and execution of digital/e-commerce assets to support B2B & B2C Marketing & Advertising strategies. Part of Executive Management and leader of Creative & Marketing for major retail accounts. Strategist for brand & product marketing across mediums; design and produce assets for print and web; create tradeshow materials; develop presentations and marketing materials for Sales; manage in-store retail marketing displays; collaborate with R&D, Sales, and Logistics; coordinate with international and U.S. production factories to maintain packaging standards and merchandisers across large retailers.
Marketing Manager & Lead Designer at DRIVER INDUSTRIAL SAFETY™ (Driver Industrial®) – Phoenix, AZ
August 1, 2015 - Present
Lead branding/marketing strategy across web, email, social, print, and tradeshow assets. Develop and maintain marketing assets and guidelines; provide sales tools for teams and distributors; lead design and production of tradeshow displays and sales collateral; manage a 2021 website redevelopment and ongoing digital marketing/eg campaign efforts; supervise print/industrial signage production, shop workflow, installation scheduling, and vendor coordination.
Production Manager at IMAGE 360 – Fort Collins (formerly Signs Now) – Fort Collins, CO
August 31, 2015 - October 20, 2025
Managed print & design team, set workflow processes, and improved production efficiency. Collaborated with sales on deadlines and pricing, operated and troubleshot printers/plotters, maintained a clean shop, and delivered signage, vehicle wraps, large-format graphics, and related signage projects for CSU and regional clients.
Sr. Designer & Production Manager at Industrial Decals Co. / Add-A-Wrap – Phoenix, AZ
July 31, 2014 - October 20, 2025
Managed all in-house departments (sales, design, production, install). Led design, prepress, and print production for marketing graphics and vehicle wrap projects; oversaw shop workflow, equipment maintenance, inventory, purchasing, and client counsel; managed a team of designers and installers.
Graphic Designer & Print Production Specialist at Sign Design – Orange County, CA
August 31, 2012 - October 20, 2025
Led design and print production for tradeshow materials, packaging, banners, menus, signage, vehicle graphics, and storefront graphics. Set up jobs for prepress; operated printers/plotters; finalized finishes and installations.
Art Director at GREY Group Korea – Seoul, South Korea
March 31, 2010 - October 20, 2025
Concept ideation and design work for product packaging and advertising across multiple channels; contributed to client pitches, photoshoots, and large presentations; conducted market/ cultural research to inform campaigns.
Art Director Intern at Crispin Porter + Bogusky – Boulder, CO
January 31, 2009 - October 20, 2025
Participated in conceptual ideation, production and layout mockups; supported client pitches and internal campaigns; contributed to large campaigns for Dominos, Hulu, Burger King, and more.
Lead Designer at Essential Extractions Corp. (Freelance) – Denver, CO
December 31, 2023 - October 20, 2025
Lead designer responsible for branding launches, tradeshow booths, and digital marketing assets for a variety of clients; independently managed design and delivery timelines.
Lead Designer at PhytoRemedies LLC – Albuquerque, NM
December 31, 2019 - October 20, 2025
Lead designer responsible for branding launches, packaging, and marketing assets; developed branding guidelines and launched new products.
Creative Director at Spark Distributors / Fresh Horse Consulting – Loveland, CO
December 31, 2019 - October 20, 2025
Directed creative strategy across packaging, branding, marketing materials, and digital assets for multiple product lines; led design teams and project management for campaigns, packaging, and branding.
Graphic Designer at Cadeka Microcircuits – Loveland, CO
December 31, 2011 - October 20, 2025
Designed internal marketing materials (brochures, catalogs, data sheets) and supported design/production workflows for marketing communications.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design (Magna Cum Laude, GPA 3.87) at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), Savannah, GA
January 1, 2004 - May 1, 2008
Study Abroad Program in Cultural Advertising, Universal Media at SCAD London
August 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007
High School Diploma at Fort Collins High School
January 1, 2000 - June 1, 2004
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD)
May 1, 2004 - May 1, 2008
High School Diploma at Fort Collins High School
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2004

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Consumer Goods, Retail, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Wholesale & Distribution

Skills

Experience Level