Creative Director with 15+ years architecting brand strategy, visual identity, and integrated marketing campaigns across B2B healthcare, aerospace, and consumer markets. Expertise spans creative direction, motion graphics, packaging design, and AI-assisted creative workflows. Proven leader managing $2M+ budgets and 20+ person teams—delivering ROI-positive campaigns with measurable revenue impact and marketing ROI, while ensuring brand consistency and (where required) FDA-compliant creative execution.

TIMOTHY A. KOVAC

Creative Director with 15+ years architecting brand strategy, visual identity, and integrated marketing campaigns across B2B healthcare, aerospace, and consumer markets. Expertise spans creative direction, motion graphics, packaging design, and AI-assisted creative workflows. Proven leader managing $2M+ budgets and 20+ person teams—delivering ROI-positive campaigns with measurable revenue impact and marketing ROI, while ensuring brand consistency and (where required) FDA-compliant creative execution.

Available to hire

Creative Director with 15+ years architecting brand strategy, visual identity, and integrated marketing campaigns across B2B healthcare, aerospace, and consumer markets. Expertise spans creative direction, motion graphics, packaging design, and AI-assisted creative workflows.

Proven leader managing $2M+ budgets and 20+ person teams—delivering ROI-positive campaigns with measurable revenue impact and marketing ROI, while ensuring brand consistency and (where required) FDA-compliant creative execution.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Art Director / Creative Designer at Spirit Water
February 20, 2019 - Present
In-house marketing and advertising for hard spirits; developed 100+ hard-spirits styles; ensured label compliance with federal and local regulations; produced video, TV and social media content; supported relocation to Long Grove, IL.
Creative Director at Small Town Brewery / Spirit Water
March 1, 2012 - Present
Architected brand architecture and a 100+ SKU packaging design system, including sustainable print production and pre-press workflows; improved shelf impact by 40% and expanded distribution into 15 new markets. Developed motion graphics and studio production content strategy generating 2.5M+ organic video views and increasing engagement 35% YoY across TikTok, Instagram, and Connected TV. Directed environmental and trade show marketing for major national expos, earning Best in Show 2023 for an immersive booth experience. Established brand guidelines and digital asset management systems, reducing production turnaround time by 50% while ensuring consistency across 50+ retail touchpoints. Managed stakeholders and external agencies; secured $2M incremental funding based on brand performance metrics and marketing ROI. Produced and edited promotional video content, managed internal creative team and vendors, and led go-to-market strategy for new product launches.
Art Director / Creative Designer at Small Town Brewery
February 20, 2012 - January 1, 2019
Created national beer brand with 12 beers; launched a bourbon in 2015; produced on-location ads and promotions; traveled extensively promoting products (approx. 1 million miles/year; Europe trips).
Art Director / Creative Designer at Sysmex Corporation
February 1, 2003 - January 1, 2012
Directed brand and marketing programs: advertising, signage, packaging, direct mail, and e-commerce; live broadcasting for training; ensured brand standards; led deadlines and production schedules.
Art Director at Sysmex Corporation
January 1, 2003 - March 1, 2012
Led a creative department of 20+ designers, copywriters, and production specialists, implementing an Agile workflow to increase throughput 30% without quality loss. Developed multi-channel healthcare marketing campaigns (print, digital, email, broadcast) improving brand consistency scores from 72% to 98% across 12 international markets. Produced executive presentations, corporate video content, and training ecosystems using motion graphics and interactive media, reducing training time 25% for 5,000+ field sales representatives. Provided strategic leadership and mentorship to 8 direct reports, advancing them to senior creative roles within 3 years. Created FDA-compliant marketing materials and sales enablement tools for diagnostic equipment. Earned six-time Pinnacle Award recognition for creative excellence and led planning and cross-functional collaboration to ensure regulatory compliance.
Senior Graphic Designer at AAR Corporation
June 1, 1999 - January 1, 2003
Designed large-format environmental graphics and trade show booths for Farnborough, Paris, and Dubai Air Shows, contributing to $500M+ in new contract acquisitions and B2B lead generation. Modernized corporate brand standards across digital and print platforms, unifying brand presence for 6 operating divisions. Built proposal design systems and RFP response templates, reducing response time by 40% while improving win rates on competitive bids. Produced technical marketing materials, product catalogs, and sales collateral for aviation and defense clients.
Art Director / Marketing Specialist at AAR Corporation
February 1, 1999 - September 1, 2002
Supported corporate marketing with promotional materials worldwide; created multimedia presentations and print materials; helped establish new corporate look and feel; managed digital imaging operations.
Sr. Graphic Designer at Aon/Alexander & Alexander – Financial Solutions Services
February 1, 1996 - February 1, 1999
Prepared graphic artwork and visuals for insurance brokerage products; produced multimedia presentations; trained staff; supported upper management with road presentations; created ads and brochures.
Sr. Graphic Designer at Telular Corporation
January 1, 1994 - February 1, 1996
Supported Telular and distributors with promotional materials globally; prepared artwork and visuals; cataloged artwork on optical disks; developed manuals and brochures; trained staff.
Digital Imaging Liaison at Gamma Photo Labs, Inc.
February 1, 1993 - January 1, 1994
Supported digital imaging, Photo CD projects and design; created promotional materials; trained staff on digital photo enhancement; assisted sales staff and ad agencies with technical quotes.
Digital Graphic Artist at Northrop Corporation
May 1, 1989 - February 1, 1993
Prepared advertisements and brochures using computer graphics; produced artwork for electronic systems division; designed 35mm slides, viewgraphs, displays; contributed to cosmonaut-related materials.
Photographer / President at Photo Magic, Inc.
May 1, 1987 - May 1, 1989
Directed three commercial studios; studio portraits, enlargements, slides and videography; created store ads for major clients; managed operations and secured business contacts; sold company to form Photo Magic, Inc.

Education

BS in Photographic Production Technology, Graphic Arts, Marketing, Chemistry at Southern Illinois University
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
BS in Photographic Production Technology (Graphic Arts, Marketing, Chemistry) at Southern Illinois University
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Bachelor of Science at Southern Illinois University
January 11, 2030 - July 25, 2026
Bachelor of Science in Photographic Production Technology, Graphic Arts, and Marketing at Southern Illinois University
January 11, 2030 - July 25, 2026
Bachelor of Science in Photographic Production Technology, Graphic Arts, and Marketing at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
January 11, 2030 - August 26, 2026
Bachelor of Science in Photographic Production Technology, Graphic Arts, and Marketing at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
January 11, 2030 - August 28, 2026

Qualifications

Master Distiller
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Brew Master
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Agfa Copal Technical Program
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Technical Lab Administration
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Kodak Photo CD with Scitex APR
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
ML6000 Operation
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
ML6000 Management
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Master Distiller
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Brew Master
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Agfa Copal Technical Program
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Technical Lab Administration
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Kodak Photo CD with Scitex APR
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Productivity Point International Software Certifications in ML6000 Operation
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Productivity Point International Software Certifications in Marketing
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
Adobe Certified Instructor
January 11, 2030 - July 25, 2026
AI for Design Professionals (LinkedIn Learning)
January 1, 2024 - July 25, 2026
Figma Advanced Prototyping (DesignLab)
January 1, 2023 - July 25, 2026
Motion Design for Social Media (School of Motion)
January 1, 2022 - July 25, 2026
Sustainable Packaging Design (Packaging World Masterclass)
January 1, 2021 - July 25, 2026
Adobe Certified Instructor
January 11, 2030 - July 25, 2026
AI for Design Professionals (LinkedIn Learning)
January 1, 2024 - July 25, 2026
Figma Advanced Prototyping (DesignLab)
January 1, 2023 - July 25, 2026
Motion Design for Social Media (School of Motion)
January 1, 2022 - July 25, 2026
Sustainable Packaging Design (Packaging World Masterclass)
January 1, 2021 - July 25, 2026
Adobe Certified Instructor - Active
January 11, 2030 - August 26, 2026
AI for Design Professionals, LinkedIn Learning
January 1, 2024 - August 26, 2026
Figma Advanced Prototyping, DesignLab
January 1, 2023 - August 26, 2026
Motion Design for Social Media, School of Motion
January 1, 2022 - August 26, 2026
Sustainable Packaging Design, Packaging World Masterclass
January 1, 2021 - August 26, 2026
Adobe Certified Instructor (Active)
January 11, 2030 - August 28, 2026
AI for Design Professionals (LinkedIn Learning)
January 1, 2024 - August 28, 2026
Figma Advanced Prototyping (DesignLab)
January 1, 2023 - August 28, 2026
Motion Design for Social Media (School of Motion)
January 1, 2022 - August 28, 2026
Sustainable Packaging Design (Packaging World Masterclass)
January 1, 2021 - August 28, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Retail, Software & Internet, Telecommunications, Travel & Hospitality, Other, Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Transportation & Logistics, Life Sciences, Wholesale & Distribution