CREATIVE DIRECTION, STRATEGY & DESIGN
Enabling, evolving, and maintaining
the creative visions of companies
and their brands, delivering on-target
strategic design solutions that create value.
the creative visions of companies
and their brands, delivering on-target
strategic design solutions that create value.
SKILLS
Creative direction, Creative strategy, Design leadership, Brand development,
Brand management, Cross-collaboration, Process development, Design mentoring,
Presentation, Visual storytelling, Visual communication, Integrated marketing,
Graphic design, Photography, Illustration, Packaging
Brand management, Cross-collaboration, Process development, Design mentoring,
Presentation, Visual storytelling, Visual communication, Integrated marketing,
Graphic design, Photography, Illustration, Packaging
EXPERIENCE
Principal & Creative Director
Staples Studios Inc. Seattle, WA March 2010 – Present
Staples Studios Inc. Seattle, WA March 2010 – Present
Operated and managed hands-on all aspects of the design studio including business
development, strategy, creative direction, project management, and design. Using a
collaborative methodology to ensure every project garners a lasting positive impact,
the studio works as a creative extension of the client’s business.
development, strategy, creative direction, project management, and design. Using a
collaborative methodology to ensure every project garners a lasting positive impact,
the studio works as a creative extension of the client’s business.
Creative Director
Artitudes Design Issaquah, WA April 2008 – February 2010
Artitudes Design Issaquah, WA April 2008 – February 2010
Responsible for strategy, account management, creative direction, and design on presentations,
print, online and brand development solutions for corporate accounts and non-profits.
Work also included the development and implementation of new processes, and the
management of the design team, project managers and contractors.
print, online and brand development solutions for corporate accounts and non-profits.
Work also included the development and implementation of new processes, and the
management of the design team, project managers and contractors.
Creative Director / Designer
Contract / Freelance Seattle, WA November 2005 – March 2008
Contract / Freelance Seattle, WA November 2005 – March 2008
Work included strategic design and branding, integrated print/online campaigns, project
management, creative direction and design for corporations, agencies, and non-profits.
management, creative direction and design for corporations, agencies, and non-profits.
Creative Strategy Manager
Rauxa Direct Seattle, WA June 2005 – October 2005
Rauxa Direct Seattle, WA June 2005 – October 2005
Responsible for helping guide the work on new and existing direct marketing accounts.
This included strategic briefs, project management, creative direction, design, and development
of new processes to streamline the workflow and better serve the clients’ needs.
This included strategic briefs, project management, creative direction, design, and development
of new processes to streamline the workflow and better serve the clients’ needs.
Art Director / Designer
Contract / Freelance Seattle, WA June 2004 – May 2005
Contract / Freelance Seattle, WA June 2004 – May 2005
Work included the art direction and design of branding and marketing solutions for print
and online media, catering to corporate accounts and agencies.
and online media, catering to corporate accounts and agencies.
Creative Manager / Designer
Allied Telesis Bothell, WA July1999 – May 2004
Allied Telesis Bothell, WA July1999 – May 2004
Hired as a designer, the role quickly advanced to becoming a key member of the management
team evolving brand positioning, perception and awareness across North America and Europe.
Responsibilities included oversight of the design team, development of new processes, creation
and management of brand standards and assets, product design, packaging, engineering
diagrams and the design of sales and marketing collateral.
team evolving brand positioning, perception and awareness across North America and Europe.
Responsibilities included oversight of the design team, development of new processes, creation
and management of brand standards and assets, product design, packaging, engineering
diagrams and the design of sales and marketing collateral.
Graphic Designer
Contract / Freelance Seattle, WA February 1997 – June 1999
Contract / Freelance Seattle, WA February 1997 – June 1999
Beginning in the professional skateboard/snowboard industry, assignments initially included
product and apparel design. Followed by design, production, illustration, and photography work
for some of the industry’s leading manufacturers and magazines.
product and apparel design. Followed by design, production, illustration, and photography work
for some of the industry’s leading manufacturers and magazines.
NOTABLE CLIENTS
Alaska Airlines, Altered Earth, Amazon, Apptio, Ballard Station, Big Fish, Blacksky, Bulletproof, Caradigm,
Ceresa, Ciena, CloudCheckr, Coca Cola, Comcast, Corega, Ericsson, F5, Fauna, Gates Foundation, HP, INRIX,
KPMG, Merillian Games, Microsoft, Okta, OnRequest, Proxim, SAP Concur, Sprint, Starbucks, T-Mobile,
Trifilm, Tripwire, UIEvolution, Usermind, Venafi, Visible Brands, WaMu, Xbox, Xesole
Ceresa, Ciena, CloudCheckr, Coca Cola, Comcast, Corega, Ericsson, F5, Fauna, Gates Foundation, HP, INRIX,
KPMG, Merillian Games, Microsoft, Okta, OnRequest, Proxim, SAP Concur, Sprint, Starbucks, T-Mobile,
Trifilm, Tripwire, UIEvolution, Usermind, Venafi, Visible Brands, WaMu, Xbox, Xesole
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Focus on Graphic Design and Visual Communications
Cornish College of the Arts Seattle, WA
Focus on Graphic Design and Visual Communications
Cornish College of the Arts Seattle, WA
Michael Staples | 206-427-5415 | staplesdesign@msn.com