Carolyn Gilde

Highly motivated design professional and brand ambassador with demonstrated ability to formulate high level creative initiatives and successfully execute hands-on design vision. Known in the creative network for the ability to approach complex projects and deliver unique, unexpected designs while still capturing the brand. Provide consistent design applications that drive measurable results and communicate effectively across corporate, agency and nonprofit B2B industries.

Often described by peers and leaders as a meticulous, efficient, and graceful collaborator.

Art Director/Graphic Designer - Gilde Designs, Inc. - Minneapolis, MN

(2003-11)

Provided art direction and design execution for print and digital collateral across non-profit, healthcare and corporate clients. Managed and coordinated workload for contractors and print vendors to create inspired solutions. A sampling of clients include: RSM, Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, MN Pride Football, Excelera, Credit One Bank, CBRE, Fairview Pharmacy and Incentive Health.

• Designed and executed a social media campaign calendar for MN Pride Football, organically increasing by 1K+ followers in the first year across Instagram and Facebook platforms
• Provided mobile optimized web and social media assets while with RSM
• Developed a brand and style guide for the launch of Fairview Pharmacy's white label product line
• Managed several graphic design contractors

Senior Production Designer - Target - Minneapolis, MN

(2022-07 - 2024-05)

Collaborate with creative and marketing teams in conceptualizing and creating layouts, executing design revisions, establishing toolkits, maintaining presentation decks for partner and leadership reviews. Manage project assets, oversee retouching and create proof to final files while working closely with global partners. Define and apply production execution rules to all work, layouts, and final files including message hierarchy, branding elements, type-setting, photography and illustrations while ensuring quality and accuracy of work per Target standards and best practices.

Lead and manage all production design details in order to meet project deadlines while successfully integrating and balancing big picture strategies with day to day work. Drive continual improvements by defining quality standards and best practices, take initiative to address critical issues as well as participate and lead special projects and committees that will impact the larger organization.

Senior Graphic Designer - Icario - Minneapolis, MN

(2021-01 - 2022-06)

Support the design and production of personalized, client-facing communications. Applies knowledge and experience to both digital and print direct mail materials such as surveys, cover letters, email digital screens and other engagement materials and collateral based on white label templates.

Art Director - Optum - Eden Prairie, MN

(2015-04 - 2018-05)

Responsible for design initiatives and execution of print and digital projects for Optum Life Sciences including email, web, wayfaring, tradeshow, brochure, and social media. Informed and delivered sophisticated creative solutions expeditiously. Collaborated with the creative team, integration managers and internal clients to produce consistent on-brand messaging.

• Demonstrated innovative design application by automating call to action to drive ebook users directly to the Life Sciences product website, dramatically increasing click thru rates
• Conceptualized several Life Sciences promotional campaigns across print and digital channels, with focus on email and direct mail for targeted C-Suite audiences
• Designed on-brand PowerPoint theme and templates for presentations, used by various levels within the organization at tradeshows and key leadership events
• Collaborated with internal creative team and external agency to flush out design, layout and photography to achieve a consistent look and feel for an annual print and digital campaign

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Graphic Design - Iowa State University

Certificate - Diversity and Inclusion - Cornell University