Hi, I’m Lori Canon, an art director and brand strategist based in Wake Forest, NC. I bring 17 years of experience leading brand development, visual strategy, and multi-channel design execution, specializing in creative direction, branding, editorial design, and campaign development. I’ve built and scaled brands and products from concept through production, always with a focus on clear brand standards and thoughtful communication. I thrive on cross-functional collaboration, mentoring teams, and delivering elevated visual storytelling that drives engagement. I’m passionate about educating teams on brand guidelines, developing cohesive assets across digital and print, and creating measurable impact for organizations and communities.…

Lori Canon

Hi, I’m Lori Canon, an art director and brand strategist based in Wake Forest, NC. I bring 17 years of experience leading brand development, visual strategy, and multi-channel design execution, specializing in creative direction, branding, editorial design, and campaign development. I’ve built and scaled brands and products from concept through production, always with a focus on clear brand standards and thoughtful communication. I thrive on cross-functional collaboration, mentoring teams, and delivering elevated visual storytelling that drives engagement. I’m passionate about educating teams on brand guidelines, developing cohesive assets across digital and print, and creating measurable impact for organizations and communities.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Lori Canon, an art director and brand strategist based in Wake Forest, NC. I bring 17 years of experience leading brand development, visual strategy, and multi-channel design execution, specializing in creative direction, branding, editorial design, and campaign development. I’ve built and scaled brands and products from concept through production, always with a focus on clear brand standards and thoughtful communication.

I thrive on cross-functional collaboration, mentoring teams, and delivering elevated visual storytelling that drives engagement. I’m passionate about educating teams on brand guidelines, developing cohesive assets across digital and print, and creating measurable impact for organizations and communities.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Brand + Creative Design Strategist at Electricities of North Carolina
December 1, 2018 - November 1, 2025
Led brand stewardship for ElectriCities and NC Public Power, ensuring all visuals aligned with brand guidelines across 70+ member cities. Won the 2021 APPA Public Power of Excellence Award in Communication. Delivered custom creative solutions including logos, recruitment/retention campaigns, billboards, signage, Value of Public Power materials, and welcome kits. Designed statewide campaigns for Public Power Week and directed brand for internal departments and member communities. Served as lead designer for the Connections Summit, overseeing conference branding, templates, environmental graphics, and attendee materials. Developed logos, inserts, marketing collateral, social graphics, and web assets; created LED diagrams, infographics, and data visualizations. Created the branded PowerPoint template for organization-wide use. Shaped branding for the NCAMES Lineworker Rodeo, produced merchandise and signage. Managed external partners and produced editorial layout for the quarterly newslet
Creative Director at Midtown Magazine/Cary Living Magazine
December 1, 2014 - December 1, 2018
Headed full creative direction, layout, and visual identity for Midtown (164–230 pages) and Cary Living. Managed end-to-end production, directed ad production for 70+ advertisers, and maintained brand consistency. Planned editorial content, coordinated ad placements, and ensured deadlines. Led website updates and digital graphics for issue launches, and produced email marketing campaigns. Guided custom photography, developing supplemental marketing materials such as brochures, media kits, one-sheets, and trade show graphics.

Education

A.S. in Graphic Design at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Online Division
September 1, 2007 - February 4, 2026

Qualifications

APPA Public Power of Excellence Award in Communication
January 1, 2021 - February 4, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Government, Energy & Utilities, Professional Services, Education, Consumer Goods
    uniE621 Custom Illustration
    Various vector based illustration projects including: t-shirt designs, challenge coin design, etc. https://www.twine.net/signin…
    uniE621 Connections Summit Conference Brand Design
    Conference Branding redesign for a technology conference for the electric municipality community. The theme and imagery is based on the concept of integrating customers, communities, and technology. Navigating the landscape and wilderness of ever changing technology, with a tie back to the weather and how that also affects the grid. conferencedesign branding logodesign https://www.twine.net/signin…
    uniE621 Midtown Magazine (Editorial Design)
    For 4 years, I built magazines from cover to cover. graphicdesigner editorialdesign magazinelayout https://www.twine.net/signin…
    paper Connections Summit Conference Brand Design

    Conference Branding redesign for a technology conference for the electric municipality community. The theme and imagery is based on the concept of integrating customers, communities, and technology. Navigating the landscape and wilderness of ever changing technology, with a tie back to the weather and how that also affects the grid.

    https://www.twine.net/signin