DESIGNER & STRATEGIST For 30+ years, I’ve been producing results-driven creative for a diverse customer base. I am a strategist at heart and have a successful track record for bringing a variety of marketing messages to life — delivering through both social and traditional channels (print, radio, video, outdoor, etc).…

Jody Kolars

PRO
5.0 (2 reviews)

DESIGNER & STRATEGIST For 30+ years, I’ve been producing results-driven creative for a diverse customer base. I am a strategist at heart and have a successful track record for bringing a variety of marketing messages to life — delivering through both social and traditional channels (print, radio, video, outdoor, etc).…

Available to hire

DESIGNER & STRATEGIST
For 30+ years, I’ve been producing results-driven creative for a diverse customer base. I am a strategist at heart and have a successful track record for bringing a variety of marketing messages to life — delivering through both social and traditional channels (print, radio, video, outdoor, etc).

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Graphic Designer at Star Tribune
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 2004
• Concept and design layouts • Complete all rounds of creative changes from internal reviews and clients • Source artwork (stock sources or custom) • Choose photographers and lead photoshoots • Follow projects through to production
Freelance Senior Graphic Designer at Kolars Marketing
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2009
• Manage client relationships • Concept and design layouts • Presentations of creative work to key stakeholders • Complete all rounds of creative changes from internal reviews and clients • Source artwork (stock sources or custom) • Choose photographers and lead photoshoots • Follow projects through to production • Manage project budgets and billing
Co-Owner/Creative Director at Frank
January 1, 2009 - January 2, 2017
• Manage client relationships • Lead creative teams • Manage budgets • Coordinate with other freelancers/agencies and businesses • Concept and design layouts (when necessary) • Present creative and gathering feedback • Propose media placement • Source printing • Manage vendor relationships
Senior Graphic Designer/Art Director at Kolars Marketing
January 2, 2017 - Present
• Review necessary materials and information for projects • Concept/Brainstorm creative solutions for projects • Work with copywriters, as needed • Design initial creative layouts/options • Present creative and gather feedback • Communicate regularly with client • Make edits through completion on projects • Complete work on time and error-free • Maintain client relationships • Lead other team member(s); as needed

Education

BA Degree at Bethel University
September 1, 1989 - January 1, 1993
Graphic Design Major with a Business Minor

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services
    uniE621 Wedding Season_Digital and print ads for promote ballroom
    I was responsible for both the copy and design of this mini ad campaign for the Hilton Hotel in Bloomington, MN. Building off their signature blue brand color, I reimagined the familiar phrase by extending it to “let us be your ‘something blue,’” adding a fresh, memorable twist beyond the traditional line—and it resonated strongly with the audience.…
    uniE621 Employee Engagement Communications for Marathon
    From the logo (and tagline) development to the creative concept, I was the lead designer on an internal communications project for a large scale digital transformation project at Marathon. My goal was to help employees to "imagine their future" by using simple, kid-like images that turn into "big ideas" (cat to lion, child superhero to Superman, legos to refinery, paper plane to real plane, etc); all by way of an employee tapping into the diverse tools offered in the new software. It is key to involve employees in the success of large scale organizational projects.…
    uniE621 Tradeshow Booth for Renters Warehouse
    Renters Warehouse needed a tradeshow display for events. I selected the appropriate format—including size, setup, and components—then developed the creative concept and carried it through to final production.…
    uniE621 2000 Watt Society Website Design
    My client needed a website to communicate the mission to "Make your city the next 2000-Watt Society in the world." I completely designed the website experience, all graphic elements on the site and the digital brochure. I used SquareSpace to build this for my client. Visit the site: https://www.twine.net/signin…
    uniE621 "Order Now" Creative for the Minneapolis Airport (MSP/MAC)
    My client needed a creative concept—carried through from ideation to final production—that clearly communicated how travelers in Terminal 1 could scan a code to order food, pick it up, and head straight to their departure gate without waiting in line. Leveraging MSP’s graphic elements, the direction highlights a range of food and beverage vendors, each paired with concise descriptors for quick, on-the-go readability as travelers pass digital message boards throughout the terminal.…
    uniE621 LEHRN Logo Refresh
    My client wanted to modernize and simplify the logo to illustrate how HR technology (when implemented correctly) would lead to better analytics and results.…
    uniE621 Award-Winning Marketing Campaigns for Colleges
    From email to digital to print tactics, I concept and design campaigns for small- to mid-size colleges looking to attract the perfect demographic to their college. I acquaint myself with each of their individual brand standards/guidelines and develop campaigns that align with their branding.…
    uniE621 Guerrilla Marketing Tactic
    This was a guerrilla tactic meant to disrupt/surprise the recipient and educate them about Crafted ERP's features and benefits and encourage them to switch to their software. In doing so, they might just be the on the next cover of Beer Illustrated or Spirits Illustrated. In addition to designing the layout for the package, I found each prospect’s photo and placed it on the cover.…
    uniE621 Annual Report for the Minneapolis Airport
    I've partnered with the MSP airport on this project, in different capacities, since 2019. From concept to production, typically I put together 2-3 concepts/themes for them to choose from. Then, I build out the internal pages using elements from the chosen concept.…
    uniE621 Infographic about enterprise software success
    My former company worked in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) communications. This infographic was used to tell the story of how projects fail when they don't engage their employees in the "why" of their business decisions. Without change management, a company's project is left to fail as employees are the KEY in their success.…