Creative Director · Brand, Product, and Marketing Strategy
Chicago Suburbs, Illinois | Open to Full-Time Remote Work.

Hello! I’m David (He/They).
I’m a creative professional with 20+ years of experience shaping ideas, products, and stories through design. I work across brand identity, packaging, marketing campaigns, and photography, guiding projects from concept to delivery. I lead teams and collaborate hands-on, building brands and experiences that feel cohesive, intentional, and human. When I’m not designing, I’m playing board games, exploring new foods, and wrangling our household of pets and houseplants — bringing the same curiosity and creativity from life into my work.

Career Highlights

  • Directed visual design and marketing for multiple successful product launches.
  • Built and managed creative teams and freelancers to hit tight deadlines with consistent quality.
  • Produced photography, layouts, and campaign assets that strengthened storytelling and engagement.

OUTSIDE OF WORK
I enjoy board game nights and spending time in the city with my girlfriend, roleplaying with friends, watching anime and movies, exploring new foods, and playing games with my kid.

Resume

Marketing Director
NorthStar Game Studio
Remote | Full-Time | Feb 2026 – Present

Lead brand strategy, product marketing, and multi-channel campaigns for a small consumer products publisher, overseeing the full lifecycle from concept to market.

  • Manage product launches and relaunches, including listings, content, and packaging for e-commerce and retail channels
  • Drive community engagement, customer loyalty, and brand visibility across social media, events, influencer partnerships, and PR
  • Coordinate conventions and demo teams to showcase products and strengthen customer connections
  • Oversee creative production and cross-functional execution, ensuring consistency across all brand touchpoints
  • Develop marketing strategies that increase product awareness, drive sales, and support long-term brand growth

Marketing Consultant and Manager
Son of Oak Games
Remote | Contract | Jun 2025 – Present

Initially joined as a consultant to guide the retail launch of Legend in the Mist, shaping campaign strategy, messaging, and creative assets. Promoted to Marketing Manager to lead the game’s full marketing and communications rollout. After launch, returned to a consulting role to continue providing strategic and creative support across the Mist Engine brand ecosystem.

  • Directed marketing and communications for Legend in the Mist, from pre-launch to post-release retail strategy.
  • Developed brand-aligned content including copy, graphics, and video to engage and grow the community.
  • Coordinated timelines and deliverables across creative, production, and leadership teams.
  • Advised on campaign optimization, brand consistency, and long-term positioning for Son of Oak’s product line.

Owner | Creative Director
MADBOC Design Studio (Formerly, Game Bocks)
Chicago, Illinois | Freelance | Nov 2019 – Present

Lead end-to-end creative direction, branding, and product strategy for consumer products, guiding projects from concept through production and market launch. Deliver end-to-end solutions for publishers and studios, continuing the legacy of the former Game Bocks.

  •  Design cohesive packaging, components, and marketing materials that communicate product identity and appeal
  • Produce digital assets for campaigns, community engagement, and social media
  • Develop branding, logo, and typographic systems to ensure visual clarity and consistency
  • Provide product strategy support, including play-testing, usability, and instructional materials
  • Manage and mentor creative teams to deliver high-quality work across multiple projects
  • High-profile clients include Cephalofair, Ravensburger, Red Raven, Incredible Dream, and Arcane Wonders.
  • Selected projects: Frosthaven, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, Skull King, Thief’s Market

Selected Clients: Cephalofair Games, Ravensburger, Son of Oak, PickPocket Games, Incredible Dream, Red Raven Games, Grandpa Beck’s Games, Pandasaurus Games, Eagle‑Gryphon Games, Arcane Wonders

Selected Projects: Frosthaven, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, Thief’s Market, Kinfire Chronicles, Dinosaur World, Dinosaur Island: Rawr n’ Write, Skull King, Knight Fall, Ramen! Ramen!, Rocket Ranchers

Graphic Designer and Web Developer
Red Raven Games
Remote | Contract | May 2021 – Feb 2026

Provide graphic design for Red Raven Games across products, marketing, and game materials. Maintain and expand the company’s website, ensuring consistent visual identity and user experience. Support ongoing marketing efforts with design, copywriting, and photography services.

Managed Red Raven’s social media presence across Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, creating consistent photography and marketing content. Designed and maintained the company website, ensuring cohesive brand presentation across web and social channels.

  • Maintain and update the company website, ensuring an optimized user experience and consistent brand presentation.
  • Support web development projects, including layout design, content management, and updating Shopify storefronts.
  • Integrate photography into marketing assets to enhance visual storytelling.
  • Created and managed engaging social media content to grow brand presence across platforms including: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
  • Designed digital marketing assets, maintained website content, and tracked analytics to optimize audience reach.
  • Coordinated visual and written materials to support marketing campaigns and community engagement.

Owner
Binxadinx Games
Chicago, Illinois | Self-Employed | Jan 2022 – Feb 2026

Founded and managed an independent publishing business, overseeing product development, creative direction, and end-to-end production. Led all aspects of game design, visual design, brand strategy, and partnerships, coordinating artists, printers, and distributors to deliver high-quality products.

  • Oversaw the successful launch of Rocket Ranchers, Herding Cats in Space, securing $25,000 in funding for a new brand through strategic partnerships
  • Negotiated the sale of intellectual property to PickPocket Games in 2026, supporting ongoing editions, community engagement, and wider market reach
  • Managed global distribution and localization partnerships, ensuring consistent quality and brand experience
  • Transitioned the company from publishing to product design, focusing on creating new intellectual property for future development

Graphic Designer
PickPocket Games
Remote | Part-Time | July 2024 – Apr 2025

  • Developed game visuals and layouts for product packaging.
  • Created layouts and designs for a successfully funded Kickstarter campaign.
  • Directed visual elements such as logos, icons, and card templates, ensuring a cohesive and consistent design language.
  • Collaborated with the production team to streamline data and oversee print-ready file preparation, maintaining accuracy and quality throughout the production cycle.

Graphic Designer
Cre@te
Remote | Freelance | Aug 2024 – Mar 2025

  • Created high-impact graphic designs for point-of-sale displays, banners, and advertising campaigns targeting consumer retail markets for major beverage companies.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of materials that drove product visibility and sales.

Tabletop Games Industry Consultant
Incredible Dream
Remote | Contract | Jan 2022 – Oct 2023

  • Offered expert consultation on product development, visual design, and manufacturing processes.
  • Advised on marketing strategies and provided graphic design support to enhance product appeal and marketability.
  • Facilitated communication between creative, production, and marketing teams to optimize project outcomes.

Creative Director
Whimzipop, LLC
Remote | Part-Time | Jul 2021 – Jun 2023

  • Directed the visual and brand strategy for company products and digital presence, ensuring cohesive aesthetics and messaging.
  • Developed logo and brand standards
  • Oversaw the production of a variety of upcoming game projects.
  • Oversaw creative workflows to meet customer needs and brand standards.
  • Company progress has been paused.

Art Director
Grandpa Beck’s Games
Remote | Contract | Jun 2020 – Jun 2021

  • Provided end-to-end graphic design and art direction across multiple product lines, revamping the entire product lineup for a consistent look aligned with the “big box” retail market.
  • Managed illustrator collaborations and led product photography shoots.
  • Created marketing graphics and supported website development.
  • Played a key role in product development discussions and maintaining brand consistency.

Social Media Manager
Arcane Wonders
Remote | Contract | Sep 2019 – Feb 2020

  • Created and managed social media campaigns designed to foster community growth and engagement.
  • Designed visual content and monitored social media analytics to inform strategy and improve performance.
  • Cultivated an online culture aligned with brand values and audience interests.

Marketing and Communications Manager
Japanime Games
Remote | Full-Time | Feb 2019 – Dec 2019

  • Managed all aspects of marketing communications, including social media, community building, graphic design, and customer service.
  • Developed and executed digital marketing strategies to increase brand visibility.
  • Represented the company at industry conventions, conducting interviews and engaging with retailers and distributors.
  • Assisted in Kickstarter campaign planning and product development.

Photojournalist
Cathy and David Photographers
Remote | Full-Time | Dec 2007 – Oct 2020

  • Captured award-winning documentary wedding photography emphasizing authentic storytelling.
  • Created premium-quality albums, designed layouts, and coordinated with clients to produce lifetime keepsakes.
  • Managed client relationships and coordinated second shooters.
  • Organized logistics for destination weddings and high-profile clients.
  • Developed company brand identity and digital presence by integrating photography, graphic design, and web development to enhance client engagement.

Graphic Designer
Freelance
Remote | Freelance | Feb 2001 – August 2012

  • Designed wedding invitations, branding materials, and promotional assets for photographers and event professionals.
  • Developed print-ready artwork and managed vendor relations to produce high-quality letterpress products.
  • Delivered tailored graphic design solutions to clients across healthcare, small business, publishing, and photography sectors.
  • Produced print and digital materials, including branding and marketing collateral, ensuring client goals were met with creative precision.

EDUCATION
Purdue University
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications Design
Minor in Creative Writing
Graduated: 2007

SKILLS
Graphic Design
Branding
Logo Design
Visual Identity
Packaging Design
Manual Layout
Game Components
Website Design
Photography
Photo and Video Editing
Creative Writing
UX Design
Game Development
Playtesting
Marketing
Social Media
Email Marketing
Community Building
Crowdfunding
Fulfillment
Customer Support
Client Relations
Project Management
Team Leadership
Collaboration
Adobe Creative Suite
Photoshop
Illustrator
InDesign
Google Sheets
Google Docs
Slack
Asana

HOBBIES
Camping
Hiking
Game Nights
Photography
Film
Theater
Anime
Korean Dramas
Foodie
Tabletop Games
Dungeons & Dragons
Halo
Aquariums
Terrariums
3D Printingng

EXTRAS
Game Night Host (10 Years)
Convention Demos
Convention Booth Work

VOLUNTEER WORK
Politics (Graphic Design)