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I started drawing as soon as I was able to hold a Crayon. Coloring books never appealed to me, I always wanted to create my own thing. After graduating from The American Academy of Art, I've had a long and successful career as an art director and creative director in the Chicago market. After moving to Minneapolis and being in the late stage of my career, I started to pursue illustration as a change of pace to the advertising world. Since then, I've completed illustrating and designing two children's books, and am currently working on a third that's geared towards the middle school market.…I started drawing as soon as I was able to hold a Crayon. Coloring books never appealed to me, I always wanted to create my own thing. After graduating from The American Academy of Art, I've had a long and successful career as an art director and creative director in the Chicago market. After moving to Minneapolis and being in the late stage of my career, I started to pursue illustration as a change of pace to the advertising world. Since then, I've completed illustrating and designing two children's books, and am currently working on a third that's geared towards the middle school market.

Mark Grudzinski

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I started drawing as soon as I was able to hold a Crayon. Coloring books never appealed to me, I always wanted to create my own thing. After graduating from The American Academy of Art, I've had a long and successful career as an art director and creative director in the Chicago market. After moving to Minneapolis and being in the late stage of my career, I started to pursue illustration as a change of pace to the advertising world. Since then, I've completed illustrating and designing two children's books, and am currently working on a third that's geared towards the middle school market.…I started drawing as soon as I was able to hold a Crayon. Coloring books never appealed to me, I always wanted to create my own thing. After graduating from The American Academy of Art, I've had a long and successful career as an art director and creative director in the Chicago market. After moving to Minneapolis and being in the late stage of my career, I started to pursue illustration as a change of pace to the advertising world. Since then, I've completed illustrating and designing two children's books, and am currently working on a third that's geared towards the middle school market.

Available to hire

I started drawing as soon as I was able to hold a Crayon. Coloring books never appealed to me, I always wanted to create my own thing. After graduating from The American Academy of Art, I’ve had a long and successful career as an art director and creative director in the Chicago market. After moving to Minneapolis and being in the late stage of my career, I started to pursue illustration as a change of pace to the advertising world. Since then, I’ve completed illustrating and designing two children’s books, and am currently working on a third that’s geared towards the middle school market.

Skills

Illustration

Editorial Illustration

Book Cover

Branding

Logo

Experience Level

Illustration

Expert

Editorial Illustration

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Art Director/Designer at Creative Circle

January 1, 2020 - Present

Led and directed design projects from concept to execution, managed design and production of marketing materials including brochures, ads, websites, and social media assets, mentored junior designers, and presented design concepts to clients. Collaborated with creative teams to develop visual concepts and design strategies for print and digital projects. Developed and maintained design systems, executed art direction for high-profile projects, worked closely with clients to translate visions into impactful designs, led design reviews and collaborated with marketing and development teams, and oversaw photo shoots providing creative direction to photographers, stylists, and models.

Contract Assignments at Ascentis

December 31, 2022 - July 8, 2025

Collaborated with creative teams and developed visual concepts for print and digital, maintained brand design systems, executed art direction, translated client visions into designs, led design reviews with cross-functional teams, and directed photo shoots.

Contract Assignments at Career Education Corporation

December 31, 2020 - July 8, 2025