With 20 years of design, illustration, creative direction, and graphic design experience, I have helped companies in the US and abroad not only achieve their goals but surpass them. I am an award-winning designer and illustrator, capable of both designing and illustrating, helping my clients with a dual sword. With experience in both agency and corporate in-house settings, I work hand in hand with clients as an owner, freelancer, and overall generous human being. I create and breathe life into art that can be used for corporate identity, portfolios, t-shirt, web, or print. My diverse clientele has allowed me freedom to work for a wide variety of companies, which has pushed me as an artist to expand my scope and creativity to meet clients' ever-growing design needs while helping them expand their horizons through design they didn't even know existed.

Blake M. Kandzer

PRO

With 20 years of design, illustration, creative direction, and graphic design experience, I have helped companies in the US and abroad not only achieve their goals but surpass them. I am an award-winning designer and illustrator, capable of both designing and illustrating, helping my clients with a dual sword. With experience in both agency and corporate in-house settings, I work hand in hand with clients as an owner, freelancer, and overall generous human being. I create and breathe life into art that can be used for corporate identity, portfolios, t-shirt, web, or print. My diverse clientele has allowed me freedom to work for a wide variety of companies, which has pushed me as an artist to expand my scope and creativity to meet clients' ever-growing design needs while helping them expand their horizons through design they didn't even know existed.

Available to hire

With 20 years of design, illustration, creative direction, and graphic design experience, I have helped companies in the US and abroad not only achieve their goals but surpass them. I am an award-winning designer and illustrator, capable of both designing and illustrating, helping my clients with a dual sword. With experience in both agency and corporate in-house settings, I work hand in hand with clients as an owner, freelancer, and overall generous human being.

I create and breathe life into art that can be used for corporate identity, portfolios, t-shirt, web, or print. My diverse clientele has allowed me freedom to work for a wide variety of companies, which has pushed me as an artist to expand my scope and creativity to meet clients’ ever-growing design needs while helping them expand their horizons through design they didn’t even know existed.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Graphic Artist at Russell Athletic Corporation
January 1, 1993 - December 31, 1997
Worked as a Graphic Artist creating designs for apparel and merchandise.
Graphic Artist at Mr. Tees T-Shirts
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 1999
Designed graphics specifically for T-Shirts and related apparel.
Senior Graphic Artist at Full Press Apparel
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2002
Senior role in designing apparel graphics with leadership responsibilities.
Senior Graphic Artist at T-Formation
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2007
Led graphic design projects, delivering creative solutions for clients.
Senior Graphic Artist at Compass Marketing & Consulting
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2009
Provided senior graphic design services supporting marketing and consulting efforts.
Owner/Designer/Illustrator/Consultant/Freelancer at Kandzer Design
January 1, 2009 - June 6, 2024
Owned and operated design company providing design, illustration, and consulting services.
Illustrator at Krieger Creative Group
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2014
Provided illustration services as a signed illustrator.
Illustrator at Inkwater Press
January 1, 2014 - June 6, 2024
Signed on to illustrate book covers.
Graphic Artist at Russell Athletic Corporation
December 31, 1997 - July 14, 2025
Worked as a Graphic Artist creating designs and illustrations to support corporate branding and marketing initiatives.
Graphic Artist at Mr. Tees T-Shirts
December 31, 1999 - July 14, 2025
Created graphic designs and illustrations focused on t-shirt apparel, engaging in creative development for the apparel market.
Senior Graphic Artist at Full Press Apparel
December 31, 2002 - July 14, 2025
Led design projects and delivered advanced graphic artwork primarily for apparel, enhancing product appeal and market presence.
Senior Graphic Artist at T-Formation
December 31, 2007 - July 14, 2025
Provided senior-level graphic design and illustration services for diverse clients, developing creative direction and detailed artwork.
Senior Graphic Artist at Compass Marketing & Consulting
December 31, 2009 - July 14, 2025
Offered high-level graphic design support, combining illustration skills to deliver compelling marketing materials.
Owner/Designer/Illustrator/Consultant/Freelancer at Kandzer Design
January 1, 2009 - Present
Owned and operated design firm providing graphic design, illustration, consulting, and freelance creative services for various industries.
Illustrator at Krieger Creative Group
December 31, 2014 - July 14, 2025
Signed on as an illustrator contributing artwork to client projects, supporting creative initiatives.
Illustrator - Book Covers at Inkwater Press
January 1, 2014 - Present
Illustrated book covers, adding creative visual elements for publication design and marketing.
Graphic Artist at Russell Athletic Corporation
December 31, 1997 - August 2, 2025
Worked as a Graphic Artist contributing to the design and illustration of various apparel and corporate identity projects.
Graphic Artist at Mr. Tees T-Shirts
December 31, 1999 - August 2, 2025
Created graphic designs for t-shirt apparel, ensuring strong visual impact and customer appeal.
Senior Graphic Artist at Full Press Apparel
December 31, 2002 - August 2, 2025
Led senior level graphic design work, including conceptualizing and illustrating apparel designs and marketing materials.
Senior Graphic Artist at T-Formation
December 31, 2007 - August 2, 2025
Provided senior graphic artist expertise for various client projects, focusing on creative solutions for apparel and marketing design.
Senior Graphic Artist at Compass Marketing & Consulting
December 31, 2009 - August 2, 2025
Designed and illustrated marketing materials as a senior graphic artist, delivering creative content for multiple campaigns.
Owner/Designer/Illustrator/Consultant/Freelancer at Kandzer Design
January 1, 2009 - Present
Founded and operate Kandzer Design, offering services in design, illustration, consultancy, and freelance graphic design work to a variety of clients.
Illustrator at Krieger Creative Group
December 31, 2014 - August 2, 2025
Contracted illustrator responsible for producing artwork and illustrations per project requirements.
Illustrator at Inkwater Press
January 1, 2014 - Present
Applied illustration skills to create book covers for Inkwater Press.
Graphic Artist at Russell Athletic Corporation
December 31, 1997 - August 18, 2025
Worked as a graphic artist creating visuals and designs primarily for apparel and merchandise within the sportswear industry.
Graphic Artist at Mr. Tees T-Shirts
December 31, 1999 - August 18, 2025
Designed graphic art for t-shirts, focusing on creative designs tailored for the apparel market.
Senior Graphic Artist at Full Press Apparel
December 31, 2002 - August 18, 2025
Led graphic design projects with senior responsibilities, producing high-quality apparel graphics.
Senior Graphic Artist at T-Formation
December 31, 2007 - August 18, 2025
Spearheaded creative design initiatives as a senior graphic artist in an agency setting, focusing on sports apparel and branding.
Senior Graphic Artist at Compass Marketing & Consulting
December 31, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Provided senior-level graphic design services focusing on marketing campaigns and consulting projects.
Owner/Designer/Illustrator/Consultant/Freelancer at Kandzer Design
January 1, 2009 - Present
Operated own design practice offering design, illustration, consulting, and freelance creative services to a wide range of clients across various industries.
Illustrator at Krieger Creative Group
December 31, 2014 - August 18, 2025
Engaged as an illustrator to create artwork supporting the creative needs of the agency during the contract period.
Book Cover Illustrator at Inkwater Press
January 1, 2014 - Present
Commissioned to illustrate book covers, contributing artistic designs that enhance the published works’ visual impact.
Graphic Artist at Russell Athletic Corporation
January 1, 1997 - August 18, 2025
Worked as a graphic artist creating visual artwork and designs for the corporation.
Graphic Artist at Mr. Tees T-Shirts
January 1, 1999 - August 18, 2025
Created graphic designs for t-shirt prints and related apparel.
Senior Graphic Artist at Full Press Apparel
January 1, 2002 - August 18, 2025
Led graphic art projects producing senior-level design work for apparel.
Senior Graphic Artist at T-Formation
January 1, 2007 - August 18, 2025
Delivered senior graphic design services and creative direction.
Senior Graphic Artist at Compass Marketing & Consulting
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Provided senior level graphic design and consulting services in marketing.
Owner/Designer/Illustrator/Consultant/Freelancer at Kandzer Design
January 1, 2009 - Present
Ownership and freelance role handling design, illustration, consulting, and creative services for a variety of clients across industries.
Illustrator at Krieger Creative Group
January 1, 2014 - August 18, 2025
Signed on as their illustrator producing commissioned artwork.
Illustrator - Book Covers at Inkwater Press
January 1, 2014 - Present
Illustrated book covers on commission for the publishing company.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at Florida State University
January 1, 1988 - December 31, 1992
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at Florida State University
January 1, 1988 - December 31, 1992
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at Florida State University
January 1, 1988 - December 31, 1992
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at Florida State University
January 1, 1988 - January 1, 1992
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at Florida State University
January 1, 1988 - January 1, 1992

Qualifications

Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2007 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2007 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2008 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2008 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2008 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2008 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2008 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2008 - August 18, 2025
Gold Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2008 - August 18, 2025
Gold Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2008 - August 18, 2025
Silver District Addy Award
January 1, 2008 - August 18, 2025
Silver District Addy Award
January 1, 2008 - August 18, 2025
National Addy Award
January 1, 2008 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Gold Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Gold Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Gold Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Best of Show Addy Award for Print
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Florida Print Award
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Gold Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2013 - August 18, 2025
Silver District Addy Award
January 1, 2013 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2014 - August 18, 2025
Silver District Addy Award
January 1, 2014 - August 18, 2025
Gold Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2015 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2007 - August 18, 2025
Gold Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2013 - August 18, 2025
Silver District Addy Award
January 1, 2013 - August 18, 2025
Silver Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2014 - August 18, 2025
Silver District Addy Award
January 1, 2014 - August 18, 2025
Gold Regional Addy Award
January 1, 2015 - August 18, 2025
National Addy Award
January 1, 2008 - August 18, 2025
Best of Show Addy Award for Print
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025
Florida Print Award
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025

Industry Experience

Consumer Goods, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Retail, Other, Non-Profit Organization