I am a creative professional with 30+ years of experience in graphic design, art direction, and multichannel branding. Expert in leading large-scale campaigns across digital, print, motion, environmental, and retail experience systems. Skilled in transforming concepts into immersive visualizations that support brand and project goals. Strong collaborator and strategic thinker with proven success leading creative teams, streamlining processes, and delivering impactful campaigns for national retailers and global events.…

Cory Speets

I am a creative professional with 30+ years of experience in graphic design, art direction, and multichannel branding. Expert in leading large-scale campaigns across digital, print, motion, environmental, and retail experience systems. Skilled in transforming concepts into immersive visualizations that support brand and project goals. Strong collaborator and strategic thinker with proven success leading creative teams, streamlining processes, and delivering impactful campaigns for national retailers and global events.…

Available to hire

I am a creative professional with 30+ years of experience in graphic design, art direction, and multichannel branding. Expert in leading large-scale campaigns across digital, print, motion, environmental, and retail experience systems. Skilled in transforming concepts into immersive visualizations that support brand and project goals. Strong collaborator and strategic thinker with proven success leading creative teams, streamlining processes, and delivering impactful campaigns for national retailers and global events.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Art Director / Senior Environmental Designer at Party City Holdings, Inc.
September 1, 2020 - December 1, 2024
Directed and mentored a cross-functional creative team of designers, motion artists, editors, and producers, ensuring high-quality execution across all channels. Led the development of large-scale seasonal campaigns, packaging systems, and immersive in-store experiences that elevated brand storytelling. Partnered with executives and the Creative Director to align creative strategy with business objectives. Established standards and review processes that improved efficiency, reduced errors, and elevated deliverables. Integrated motion design, video, and UX into campaigns to expand multichannel impact.
Senior Designer / Design Team Manager / Print Production Manager / Photo and Video Studio Manager at Studio NEXT (a division of PCHI)
June 1, 2013 - September 1, 2020
Built, managed, and coached a multidisciplinary creative team across print, photo, and video production. Directed global trade show installations from concept through execution, managing vendors, contractors, and stakeholders. Standardized production workflows, reducing turnaround times and ensuring brand consistency. Oversaw budgets and vendor negotiations for photo/video shoots, maximizing value while controlling costs. Acted as liaison between executive leadership, marketing, and creative teams to align messaging and visual storytelling.
Freelance Designer / Production Artist at Freelance
July 1, 1999 - June 1, 2001
Delivered on-site design and production support for clients including Anagram International, Carlson Companies, EcoLab, and Prudential. Produced marketing, print, and digital deliverables under tight deadlines. Supplemented in-house teams with creative execution and project support.
Designer / Production Artist at Anagram International, Inc.
June 1, 2001 - June 1, 2013
Produced seasonal catalogs, packaging, and sales collateral that boosted product visibility and retail sales. Ensured consistency of brand messaging across print, retail, and digital platforms. Provided design support for video editing and interactive assets. Supported sales teams with trade collateral that strengthened retailer relationships.
Creative Designer / Production Artist at Red Star
May 1, 1993 - May 1, 1999
Partnered with senior art directors and account managers to execute creative concepts for ad campaigns and publications. Managed prepress production and image editing for high-visibility client campaigns. Contributed ideas in client strategy sessions, enhancing creative presentations.
Senior Art Director/Senior Environmental Designer at Party City Holdings, Inc.
September 1, 2020 - December 1, 2024
Directed and mentored a cross-functional creative team of designers, motion artists, editors, and producers, ensuring high-quality execution across all channels. Led development of large-scale seasonal campaigns, packaging systems, and immersive in-store experiences that elevated brand storytelling. Integrated motion design, video, and UX into campaigns to expand multichannel impact.
Senior Designer/Design Team Manager/Print Production Manager/Photo and Video Studio Manager at Studio NEXT (a division of PCHI)
June 1, 2013 - September 1, 2020
Built, managed, and coached a multidisciplinary creative team across print, photo, and video production. Directed and designed global trade show installations from concept through execution, managing vendors, contractors, and stakeholders. Standardized production workflows, reducing turnaround times and ensuring brand consistency. Oversaw budgets and vendor negotiations for photo/video shoots, maximizing value while controlling costs.
Freelance Designer/Production Artist at Freelance Creative
July 1, 1999 - June 1, 2001
Delivered on-site design and production support for clients including Anagram International, Carlson Companies, EcoLab, and Prudential. Produced marketing, print, and digital deliverables under tight deadlines. Supplied in-house teams with creative execution and project support.
Designer/Production Artist at Anagram International, Inc.
June 1, 2001 - June 1, 2013
Produced seasonal catalogs, packaging, and sales collateral that boosted product visibility and retail sales. Ensured consistency of brand messaging across print, retail, and digital platforms. Provided design support for video editing and interactive assets. Supported sales teams with trade collateral that strengthened retailer relationships.
Designer/Production Artist at Red Star
May 1, 1993 - May 1, 1999
Partnered with senior art directors and account managers to execute creative concepts for ad campaigns and publications. Managed prepress production and image editing for high-visibility client campaigns. Contributed ideas in client strategy sessions, enhancing creative presentations.
Senior Designer / Design Team Manager / Print Production Manager / Photo & Video Studio Manager at Studio NEXT (a division of PCHI)
June 1, 2013 - September 1, 2020
Built, managed, and coached a multidisciplinary creative team across print, photo, and video production. Directed and designed global trade show installations from concept through execution, managing vendors, contractors, and stakeholders. Standardized production workflows, reducing turnaround times and ensuring brand consistency.
Freelance Designer / Production Artist at Freelance Creative
July 1, 1999 - June 1, 2001
Delivered on-site design and production support for clients including Anagram International, Carlson Companies, EcoLab, and Prudential. Produced marketing, print, and digital deliverables under tight deadlines. Supplemented in-house teams with creative execution and project support.
Designer / Production Artist at Red Star
May 1, 1993 - May 1, 1999
Partnered with senior art directors and account managers to execute creative concepts for ad campaigns and publications. Managed prepress production and image editing for high-visibility client campaigns. Contributed ideas in client strategy sessions, enhancing creative presentations.

Education

AA Graphic Design and Marketing at Brown Institute
October 1, 1990 - October 1, 1992
AA at Brown Institute
October 1, 1990 - October 1, 1992

Qualifications

Portfolio of Excellence, Senior Show 1992
October 19, 1992 - March 25, 2026

Industry Experience

Retail, Media & Entertainment, Consumer Goods, Professional Services, Manufacturing, Software & Internet, Other

Skills

Experience Level