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I'm Ryan Swanson, a seasoned Art Director and Graphic Designer with experience creating compelling visual narratives for national publications and diverse brand clients. I balance creative excellence with budget efficiency to expand creative capabilities, and I thrive on leading cross-functional teams, managing multiple projects, and maintaining brand consistency across print and digital platforms. I'm hands-on and proficient with emerging AI tools for visual content creation. I'm passionate about delivering high-quality design that meets tight deadlines while expanding creative boundaries, and I enjoy collaborating with editorial, sales, marketing, and production teams to bring bold ideas to life.…I'm Ryan Swanson, a seasoned Art Director and Graphic Designer with experience creating compelling visual narratives for national publications and diverse brand clients. I balance creative excellence with budget efficiency to expand creative capabilities, and I thrive on leading cross-functional teams, managing multiple projects, and maintaining brand consistency across print and digital platforms. I'm hands-on and proficient with emerging AI tools for visual content creation. I'm passionate about delivering high-quality design that meets tight deadlines while expanding creative boundaries, and I enjoy collaborating with editorial, sales, marketing, and production teams to bring bold ideas to life.

Ryan Swanson

Art Director, Graphic Designer, Designer, +3

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I'm Ryan Swanson, a seasoned Art Director and Graphic Designer with experience creating compelling visual narratives for national publications and diverse brand clients. I balance creative excellence with budget efficiency to expand creative capabilities, and I thrive on leading cross-functional teams, managing multiple projects, and maintaining brand consistency across print and digital platforms. I'm hands-on and proficient with emerging AI tools for visual content creation. I'm passionate about delivering high-quality design that meets tight deadlines while expanding creative boundaries, and I enjoy collaborating with editorial, sales, marketing, and production teams to bring bold ideas to life.…I'm Ryan Swanson, a seasoned Art Director and Graphic Designer with experience creating compelling visual narratives for national publications and diverse brand clients. I balance creative excellence with budget efficiency to expand creative capabilities, and I thrive on leading cross-functional teams, managing multiple projects, and maintaining brand consistency across print and digital platforms. I'm hands-on and proficient with emerging AI tools for visual content creation. I'm passionate about delivering high-quality design that meets tight deadlines while expanding creative boundaries, and I enjoy collaborating with editorial, sales, marketing, and production teams to bring bold ideas to life.

Available to hire

I’m Ryan Swanson, a seasoned Art Director and Graphic Designer with experience creating compelling visual narratives for national publications and diverse brand clients. I balance creative excellence with budget efficiency to expand creative capabilities, and I thrive on leading cross-functional teams, managing multiple projects, and maintaining brand consistency across print and digital platforms. I’m hands-on and proficient with emerging AI tools for visual content creation.

I’m passionate about delivering high-quality design that meets tight deadlines while expanding creative boundaries, and I enjoy collaborating with editorial, sales, marketing, and production teams to bring bold ideas to life.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Beginner

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Art Director at World Publications (Bonnier Corp. / Firecrown Media)

February 1, 1999 - December 31, 2025

Direct all visual elements for nationally distributed boating publication, including award-winning cover designs, feature layouts, columns, and departments. Collaborate with editorial staff to develop innovative content concepts that enhance reader engagement and strengthen brand identity. Manage freelance photographers and illustrators, and leverage AI platforms to create photos and illustrations, ensuring cohesive visual standards across all issues. Oversee complete production workflow from concept through printer delivery, maintaining quality control at every stage. Execute product photography for editorial features and advertising needs. Successfully deliver high-quality design while adhering to strict issue budgets.

Art Director at Red Mat Publishing

April 1, 2003 - Present

Art Director for Milford Living magazine: Design quarterly 64-page layouts including typography, spacing, cover design, and feature spreads. Additional publications include Personal Development, Q Magazine, UX Magazine, and Be Well Magazine. Design professional stationery systems including letterheads, signature lines, and embossed seals.

Freelance Graphic Designer & Art Director at Self-Employed / Freelance

January 1, 1996 - Present

Freelance Graphic Designer & Art Director providing logo design, brand identity, magazine and ePub design, press materials, product catalogs, direct mail campaigns, and digital asset design for clients including Boating Magazine, LEGO, SeaWorld, Milford Living Magazine, and more.

Art Director at Boating Magazine

January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2025

Directed all visual elements for a nationally distributed publication, including cover designs, feature layouts, columns and departments. Collaborated with editorial staff to develop content concepts that enhance reader engagement and strengthen brand identity. Managed freelance photographers and illustrators; leveraged AI platforms to create photos and illustrations; ensured cohesive visual standards across issues. Oversaw production workflow from concept to printer delivery with strict quality control. Executed product photography for editorial features and advertising needs. Delivered high-quality design within issue budgets. KEY ACHIEVEMENT: Boating Magazine recognized as Bonnier’s “Brand of the Year” in 2015.

Art Director at Salt Water Sportsman Magazine

January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2014

Led creative direction for America’s premier saltwater fishing publication. Developed distinctive visual standards that strengthened brand recognition and subscriber loyalty. Designed layouts balancing technical content with aspirational imagery.