John Schlesinger
Creative director/cofounder · SURF CRIME, (Subtotal LLC)
San Clemente, CA
In My Own Words
John comes from a strong industrial and design background working for some of the most renowned companies in consumer electronics, entertainment, and action sports such as Catch Surf, Dolby Laboratories, NHS, Deluxe Distribution, and, OM Records. For the last 6 years, he has been Sr. Art Director and an integral part of one of the fastest growing and most dynamic surf brands; Catch Surf. In his career he has bridged the gap between Surf / Skateboarding and was an Art Director for the top companies and pros in both industries for the past 15 years.
Work Experience
Creative director/cofounder
SURF CRIME, (Subtotal LLC)2018 – Present
I started working for Surf Crime in 2018, they had just formed and needed someone to create the entire line and do all of the design/marketing duties to get this new surfboard brand off the ground . Surf Crime is the marker of a higher-quality soft board construction, that’s more of like a real surfboard. It has an extra layer of soft grip laminated on top of a hard epoxy core and will perform like a real surfboard and not intake water. www.surfcrime.com instagram @surfcrime
Sr Art Director
David August Inc2018 – 2019
David August Inc. is a custom bespoke luxury suiting clothier in California, with dedicated patrons like Clint Eastwood, Conor McGregor, Frank Gehry, Mossimo Giannulli, Jeff Koons, Rob Lowe, Elon Musk, Tony Robbins, Will Smith, and Kobe Bryant. D.A. is one of the most highly sought after bespoke clothiers in the industry. I was hired on to help seize the enormous growth opportunity that the brand is seeing and to design assets for product line, and marketing to push business expansion into the ready to wear market. The flagship David August Store is scheduled to open soon in Beverly Hills, CA. Design Services for David August Inc. - Website Re Design and Art Direction - Logo Design and Direction - Design first line of Limited T-shirts, hats, underwear textile prints, and accessories for collaboration clothing line with MMA fighter Conor McGregor. - Photo-shoot Art Direction and Photography for augustmcgregor.com Look-book, website, and social - Art Direction and Design for interactive custom suiting online configurator interface - Embroidered Labels, hangtag, and packaging design for both brands David August and August McGregor.
Sr. Art Director / Design Director
Catch Surf®2011 – 2018
I joined Catch Surf as Art Director in 2011 when they were a surf start-up with a big dream. To be a lifestyle brand leader with a strong line of clothing, hardgoods, and exceptional brand marketing in action sports. I helped develop and expand Catch Surf brands and product lines such as: • Odysea Surfboard • Wave Bandit • Beater Surfboards • Catch Surf clothing • US Fin Co. • The World Softboard League • The Womper Design Duties Included: • all brand / model logos • textile design • shirts / hat line • product cads • product packaging • advertising for online / publication / email • exhibit layout/design • catalog layout/design • photo shoots
Sr Graphic Designer
Dolby® Laboratories / San Francisco - https://www.dolby.com/2007 – 2010
My position was part of the A/V department. Our department supported marketing of licensed Dolby® technologies utilizing the latest entertainment. I worked on design and art direction for projects ranging from: • brand / technology logos • interactive media • exhibit design • print ads • Blu-Ray® interface / case design • trailers • 3d graphics for cinema and Blu-ray® • interactive demos for https://www.dolby.com/
Graphic and Web Designer
Deluxe2003 – 2007
Performed design services for one of the most prominent skateboard brand conglomerates. Design projects ranged from design for: • print / ad • product cads • web • skate hard good design; decks / wheels / trucks • shirts • stickers • POP displays • windows • embroidered label • posters • e-mail marketing campaigns Designed the web interface for DLXSF.com the most active website in professional skateboarding.
