KARMEN LIZZUL
KARMEN@KARMENLIZZUL.COM >> 917-861-0560 >> KARMENLIZZUL.COM
Creative professional with 15+ years of experience producing and leading award-winning work, with a focus on design-thinking, strategy, and storytelling. Keen branding, editorial content and design expertise, thriving in environments with a need to re-brand, grow or launch a new brand.
EXPERIENCE
OWNER, The Kick-Ass Brand COmpany kickassbrand.co
December 2019 to October 2022
Recent projects include:
Social media campaign for ALICE, for The United Way of New Jersey
Novel Planner App (in PRogress)
Publishing support and book design for independent publishers
Book-a-zines for Hearst Corporation
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, CALLISTO MEDIA, NEW YORK, NY
December 2019 to October 2022
Produced successful data-driven publishing products such as kids’ activities books, children’s non-fiction,
cookbooks, self-help, and health by leading the full creative process from concept to publication and
garnering approval from executive management.Evaluated data and competitive sets to drive the design process and create successful strategy for products
in fast sprints, achieving high-quality customer reviews for all publications.Led creative team, including a designer and art director, and supported the art direction by sourcing images
and providing guidance on photography and illustration to ensure effective design.Leveraged broad library of design expertise to tailor design aesthetics to each project and create detailed
strategy decks, delivering design concepts efficiently and effectively.Drove the visual strategy for design direction by collaborating in meetings to discuss concepts, compiling
final presentations for the C-suite.
DIGITAL ART DIRECTOR, SCHOLASTIC NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, NEW YORK, NY
August 2017 to December 2019
Key Clients: Lego, Facebook, NIDA, NIGMS, Levi’s, BLOOM! (Seed Your Future), Wells Fargo, Sony Pictures
Steered brand strategy and design for digital, interactive and video educational projects including printed board games, websites, videos and digital games and activities for grades K-12.
Spearheaded visual projects to achieve high level of engagement and 100% client renewals on product contracts, adding bottom-line revenue to the department.
Conceptualized a key “Space Camp” program initiative for Lego & NASA by planning the branding for website & classroom materials & working with an interactive team to create an interactive online game.
DIGITAL ART DIRECTOR, KARMEN LIZZUL GRAPHIC DESIGN, NEW YORK, NY 09.2015 >> 08.2017
Rebranded Albany Pine Bush website and other small businesses
Consulted on and/or implemented Facebook paid search strategies and email campaigns for small businesses
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MEREDITH CORPORATION, NEW YORK, NY 07.2005 >> 09.2015
Executed a rebrand for the failing “Family Circle Magazine” by partnering with editors and hiring a new creative team to strategize changes for attracting younger users and better advertising.
Managed a team of 7-10 and brainstormed project strategy with the publisher, marketing team and chief editor to ensure appeal for new target audience without losing existing readers.
Boosted average monthly sales from 600K-700K to 850K, with some months topping 1M+ units sold at newsstands during difficult time for competitors.
Developed and articulated clear strategies and guidelines for branding, photo and graphic art direction for Family Circle Magazine, familycircle.com, and social media.
Coordinated, inspired and oversaw creative team of top photographers, art directors, stylists, photo editors, designers, videographers and postproduction artists for 250+ photo shoots.
Utilized new creative approach to gain visibility in the advertising community and increase ad revenue.
Won several industry awards (Ad Age A-List; AD WEEK Hot-list; SPD Awards; Folio).
EDUCATION B.F.A. School of Visual Arts in Graphic Design; MFA Creative Writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts; General Assembly: User Experience Design Certificate Program; IPEC Professional Coach Certification Program.
AWARDS Society of Publication Designers, AIGA, Graphis, Folio, and the Society of Illustrators
SKILLS Social media expert for all platforms; Video editing; Adobe Creative Suite (Expert): InDesign; Illustrator; Photoshop; Adobe XD; UX/UI Design (Proficient): Figma; Sketch; Research & Development; Personas: Prototyping; Keynote; Cloud Sharing; Tech Savvy; Google Slides;
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES Fort Greene Park Conservancy