Nicole Rodríguez
¡Hola!
Experienced Designer and Art Director skilled in leading creative teams to deliver impactful visual solutions across print, digital, and multimedia platforms. Expertise in transforming abstract concepts into engaging designs that drive audience engagement and brand loyalty. Strong leadership and project management abilities, fostering innovation while meeting budget and deadline requirements. Dedicated to staying current with industry trends and integrating new technologies for superior design outcomes that exceed client expectations.
​
Fluent in Spanish and English
Based in Austin, TX
Expertise
Visual Design and Aesthetics, Brand Development and Management, Creative Problem-Solving, Communication and Collaboration, Content Creation and Strategy, Market and Trend Analysis, Quality Assurance
Experience
2018-2020
Freelance Art Director/Designer Grupo SM
-
Brand Solutions Leadership: Led the design and execution of product brand solutions across a diverse range of company print and digital properties.
-
Creative Direction: Directed the creative vision and execution of select high-impact projects.
-
Quality Assurance: Oversaw quality assurance, including reviewing and approving printer’s proofs for all materials to ensure top production standards.
-
Brand Consistency: Ensured all photography adhered to strict branding standards, maintaining a cohesive and professional visual identity
2012-2018
Art Director/Designer Grupo SM
-
Defined and Standardized Design Systems: Maintained design and brand standards, overseeing the execution of 13 textbook series and all related components for over 6 years. Spearheaded a complete redesign, resulting in a high-energy look-and-feel that increased school adoptions and boosted industry and brand awareness.
-
Product Brand Solutions Leadership: Directed the design and execution of product brand solutions across various company print properties,
both in-house and outsourced. Managed all design stages: conception, research, definition, prototyping, design execution, and implementation. Defined design elements including covers, photography, illustration, data visualization styles, and layout for textbook and trade book editions. -
Team Management and Mentorship: Managed and mentored an in-house team of creative professionals, including remote staff. Communicated brand guidelines and strategy to the creative team. Managed workload within specific timelines to ensure timely market-ready preparations and releases.
-
Market Research and Trend Analysis: Maintained awareness of new and competitor products entering the market. Conducted consumer-targeted research, forecasted, and studied design and market trends. Participated in the development of marketing and PR collateral.
-
Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Engaged in cross-departmental meetings with publishers, editors, production, marketing, and sales teams to pitch, scope, develop, and track project progress. Identified and reported on progress, quality issues, and challenges impacting project profitability or execution.
2006-2012
Designer Grupo SM
-
Brand Solutions Leadership: Directed the design and implementation of product brand solutions across various company print and digital properties.
-
Creative Direction: Steered the creative vision and execution for key high-impact projects.
-
Quality Assurance: Managed quality assurance, including the review and approval of printer’s proofs to ensure exceptional production standards.
-
Brand Consistency: Maintained rigorous adherence to branding standards for all photography, ensuring a consistent and professional visual identity.
2005-2006
Designer Primera Hora Newspaper
Designed and crafted editorial layouts and in-house imagery, including photo montages, spot illustrations, and infographics, for one of Puerto Rico’s leading newspapers.