Gia Romano gentilessa@angelfire.com Click here for my online portfolio!
	Mission		I am a Design Director. I design and manage the production of media design - of all realms used to market fortune 1,000 companies, working with tight budgets, and tighter deadlines. As a Design Director it is my job to co-ordinate the efforts of several technical and creative disciplines, while working to develop a client's dream. I am also an artist, and have worked from the marketing side of this profession, creating illustrations, graphics, web sites, retention marketing initiatives, and other promotional materials. My background in these fields of design as well as an early interest in the concept of direct-marketing (target audience, response & retention marketing) led me into the world of creative E-Commerce.
	Background Summary		An accomplished Design Director responsible for the conceptual design, stylistic direction and development of client applications and sites. I serve as a creative lead and manage teams on major accounts directing all phases of creative work for from concept through final production. Assists the Senior Director in the management of the creative department by project planning, determining staffing, evaluating and coaching creative staff. Accountable for developing and directing creative work of the highest caliber that expertly addresses client needs and enhances our company portfolio. Leads presentations to existing and new clients. Prior to joining Qwest, I was at the Polk Company where managing a team of technical and graphic production specialist that produced over 1,300 Internet sites and developed retention campaign and collateral materials for various clients including CEMA, Pioneer, Sony, Samsung and Sega. A graduate of the Colorado State University BFA program and has additional post graduate course work and certification in XML and Internet Development.
	Professional Experience		Design Director Qwest Interactive Denver, Colorado 2000- Present Managed and led the creative efforts of interdisciplinary teams to plan, strategize, design, and implement large-scale digital initiatives. Responsibilities included direct client management, team management, and project pricing and workflow development. Performed role of creative lead for the Western Region (CA, CO, UT, WA, OR, AZ, NV, and WY), representing and leading the regional efforts of the regional office to the worldwide company and other disciplines as a whole. Member of Company's Employee Retention and Wireless Initiative Committees. Ability to be flexible but strong in response to client changes, and to understand how to manage and design projects to intersect the business opportunities creatively.
				Led creative teams, working closely with the interdisciplinary teams of strategists and technologists. Led all aspects of the creative work on individual projects.
				Developed creative strategies based on business goals, market research of existing offerings, focus groups, and consumer need.
				Size of project engagements ranged from $300,000 to two million, with durations of six weeks to five months. Team sizes varied from five to 35.
				Clients included Merril Lynch, Wells Fargo, Fedwin, Qwest, Coregenix, Realeum, TEI, GetApproved, and Microsoft.
				Developed complex project work architectures, process, and methodologies, integrating them with strategy and technology procedures.
				Reviewed potential creative consultants to be assigned to projects, and determined appropriate staffing and assignments based on individual's skills and knowledge base. Supervised individual creative team members, developed their assignments, managed time allocations, conducted cross-team project reviews, wrote and delivered final creative member reviews.
				Directed as well as physically developed the efforts of brand development, design, and production. Facilitated brand development workshops for clients. Prepared and presented creative concepts, brand strategies, and prototypes to clients.
				Integrated and supported user experience focused design methodologies into project processes, to insure the achievement of project business goals.
				Constructed and designed an engaging creative prototype demonstrating a business proposition, which was responsible for winning the investor's approval for moving the project forward.
				Performed role of "Advocate" for several employees. Responsible for the individual's growth and development plans, objectives, skill and knowledge profiles, annual reviews, and recommendations for role advancement and salary increases.
				Actively recruited and conducted behavioral interviews for prospective employees.
				Awarded the Regional Contributor of the Quarter Award for work completed on e-Learning channel's web-enabled user experience prototype.
			Web Design Manager Equifax/PolkVerity Los Angeles, California & Denver, Colorado 1995 - 1999 Directed the Web Development division of PolkVerity/Equifax, overseeing all creative initiatives and projects. Responsible for the design integrity of exceptionally large complex brands, and their extension to the internet. Manage the day-to-day content production of client web sites. Responsibilities included the development of an overall web site specification, management of development and quality assurance to guarantee delivery to meet customer expectations.Create marketing initiatives that drive target audience to sites. Build relationship with consumers via personalized incentive programs, rebate offers and common interests. Manage a team of Technical & Graphic Production Specialists. Design and oversee the successful production of registration websites. Interact with clients and other technical teams to deliver quality and relevant development. Specialized in print advertising design and production of affinity marketing for exceptionally large complex brands. Create marketing initiatives that drive target audience to respond. Build relationship with consumers via personalized incentive programs, rebate offers and common interests via direct mail, email marketing and rebate programs. Design brochures, letters, postcards and direct mail packages for clients such as, CEMA, Pioneer, Sony, Samsung, Virgin, Sega etc.
				High profile clients included Sega, Sony, and Pioneer.
				Managed the work flow for the Art Department, assigned responsibilities, and oversaw the creative work of the designers.
				Personal involvement and influence was through all stages of a project: sales, project conception, production, and implementation.
				Designed and was responsible for corporate identity logo design, illustrations, graphic production and information architecture for more than 1,300 registration/data collection sites.
				Consulted closely with technical team to discuss new technologies and implement when appropriate.
				Acted as print production coordinator for all client projects.
				Developed and managed print advertising budgets and estimates.
				Supervised and trained new graphic artists joining the company.
				Created customized photo illustrations for major national print campaigns. Attended photoshoots and presschecks for projects as creative lead.
				Gained expert level knowledge at digitial photo manipulation and detailed pre-press color corrections.
			Freelance Designer Hodges & Associates Denver, Colorado 1997 - 1999 Create full company identity; logos, company brochures/letterhead/business cards, website design and magazine ads. Create marketing initiatives that drive target audience to respond. Build relationship with consumers via personalized incentive programs, rebate offers and common interests via direct mail, email marketing and rebate programs. Design brochures, letters, postcards and direct mail packages.
				Developed and managed print advertising budgets and estimates.
				Created customized photo illustrations for major national print campaigns. Attended photoshoots and presschecks for projects as creative lead.
				Gained expert level knowledge at digitial photo manipulation and detailed pre-press color corrections.
				Key Success: Created full corporate identity and product packaging, and website for Opt-In Email which was acquired by DoubleClick for 22 million dollars.
	Portfolio			Click here for my online portfolio!
	Education		Bachelor of Arts Degree Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 1992
	Web Experience		Strategic Consulting, Initial Design Art Direction, Initial Design Comps Art Direction Art Direction, Design Art Direction, Design Art Direction, Strategic Consulting, Branding Marketing Art Direction, Strategic Consulting, Branding Marketing Art Direction, Design, Coding, Data Capture Art Direction, Design, Coding, Data Capture
	Personal Interests		Watercolor, rollerblading, snow boarding, soccer, golf.
	References		Available upon request.