aaron arthur graff
Damn fine design that delivers
Just about everything is fascinating … if you look closely enough.
I've always enjoyed discovering the quirky esoteric knowledge buried deep within any given subject. I feel like it’s that kind of curiosity that helps me approach problems from several different angles and make unique connections in my creative work. It’s in that type of exploration that you're most likely to find some magic.
my story
Designing since the turn of the century!
Sure, that's a nerdy dad-joke of mine, but it also means that I've been doing this long enough to have worked on most types of design projects. I know what it takes to carry a project from concept through completion.I'm currently an art director working remotely from my home in the rural Midwest where I like to chase hobbies and make messes with my four young children and my incredibly understanding wife.
“Aaron is a talented, intelligent and detail-orientated designer. He can easily be trusted with both high-profile strategic programs and quick daily requests. Aaron is a true go-to designer.”
– Mike S., Creative Director
my outlook
*I take pride in my craft. *
Graphic design is an incredibly powerful combination of logic and art. It's visual communication with fundamentals rooted in human nature that can drive people to action. That alone can get pretty damn heavy when you start digging into the potential impact it can have.But it doesn't always have to be so serious. Sometimes great design can simply be a clever logo or a rad little sticker that makes people smile, and that's a beautiful thing too.
“Aaron is one of the best concept people I’ve ever worked with. If there was a brainstorming session, he was the guy you wanted in the room."
– Jane O., Creative Director
portfolio
Category
logo design & brand guides
A clear visual identity + consistent presentation = brand impression. It's important.
Logo for an aviation startup.
Municipal Branding
Logo for an optics manufacturer, and the eye icon pulled from its core.
Agency Rebrand
Municipal Recycling Department Logo
Logo for a local bicycle club.
Breakdown of elements used to build logo.
Brand Guide for Higher Ed
Rebranded Electrical Service Company
“Aaron diligently listened to the client and paused to learn before diving into design. The end result leveled-up the brand in a big way but more importantly, fit with the client's vision."
– Brandon W., CEO
Category
packaging graphics & direct mail
Seeing something you've designed out in the wild never gets old.
Mock package design for label company.
Concepts for a new brand campaign.
Label design for a local restaurant's product launch.
Direct Mail and Landing Page
Fold-out Map Direct Mail
Direct mail coffee brand kits sent to social media influencers.
Packaging and website for album launch.
Updating an Old Fashioned
“First of all, THESE ARE AMAZING!!!! We are absolutely blown away by the look and feel of what you’ve presented. They’re beyond what we’d hoped for!"
– Maria H., Director of Product Development
Category
digital & multi-channnel
Websites, digital ads, social media content, and multi-channel. It's all here.
Digital ad set and new tagline.
A family of cheesy websites.
Social media content visuals.
Landing pages for various brands/campaigns.
Multi-channel campaign concepting.
“Aaron is an effective communicator, solid presenter, and has an affable personality which makes him an approachable team leader, co-worker, and client contact.”
– Vicki W., Copywriter
Category
long-form marketing materials
Organizing long-form content into digestible formats through information hierarchy and structure.
Case studies and ebooks.
Corporate sustainability report.
Informational and sales brochures.
“Aaron’s creativity and leadership make him an asset to any organization. Given the opportunity, I would hire Aaron again.”
– Bruno M., EVP
Category
illustration & photo composites
Humans process visual information much more quickly than written. See? Even science says art wins.
Hand painted & digitally composited gig poster.
Photo composite for typography concept poster.
Isometric sketching for trade show booth design concepts.
Watercolor and ink.
Manually-rendered 3D typography.
aaron arthur graff
I'm an experienced art director with a passion for the fundamentals of graphic design and developing creative concepts
Education
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS \ Graphic Communication at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, 2003
experience
| Employer | Title | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 10up | Visual Designer | Feb 2022 – Current |
| Element | Art Director | Aug 2015 – Feb 2022 |
| Kite & Anchor Studio | Owner/Creative | Mar 2014 – Jan 2016 |
| Spark Advertising | Creative Director | May 2013 – May 2014 |
| Brand Directions | Senior Art Director | Jul 2009 – May 2013 |
| Cannondale Sports Group | Senior Designer | Sep 2008 – Jul 2009 |
(See full career path on LinkedIn)
skills
Brand Identity, Print Collateral, Marketing Design, Packaging Graphics, UI Design, Trade Show Displays …
(Expert) Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Figma,
(Proficient) Adobe Premiere, MS Office, Various Project Management Software
(Familiar) Adobe After Effects
Creative Concept Development
Layout & Typography
Copywriting & Proofing
Studio Photography
Brand Consistency Audits
Teaching & Mentoring