Tyler Ruffino

Lead Graphic Designer at The Creative Space Group, Inc. · The Creative Space Group

Los Angeles, California

In My Own Words

Multi-faceted art director and graphic designer with 10+ years experience spanning 6 industries. Over 8 years of experience leading teams and helping companies scale, attract bigger budget clients, and reach millions of customers. At my core, I am a creative who fights for good creatives so they can make great creative. I take pride in my ability to research, strategize, collaborate, and mentor within teams and believe patience is still very much a virtue to live (and work) by. Always looking for opportunities to turn sketches into reality.

Work Experience

Lead Graphic Designer

The Creative Space Group

2020 – Present

• Lead creative strategy for 300+ design requests, annually, across 15+ clients • Ensure skill development and effective contributions from jr. staff through mentorship and management • Liaise between creative team and ownership, internal teams, and clients • Develop effective, scalable processes to minimize inefficiencies and avoid procedural bottlenecks • Grow and maintain open lines of communication with clients to ensure effective working relationships • Initiate planning and assist in the build-out of experiential design activations • Secure outside vendors to facilitate fabrication, print, and other needs within project budget constraints • Plan and direct photo and video shoots for clients (incl. sourcing crew, talent, and locations)

Senior Graphic Designer & UI/UX Designer

MNG Enterprise

2018 – 2019

• Co-lead all UI/UX efforts for 3 mobile apps and 2 company sites • Provided recurring reports to CTO and ownership to assess department needs and development progress • Reviewed functionality across apps and websites through close collaboration with development team • Established visual standards for 700+ product photos according to industry best practices • Created brand-specific motion and static graphics for all company mobile apps and websites • Lead design efforts to rebrand full catalogue of print and digital collateral for in-house delivery company

Senior Graphic Designer

Toolots

2017 – 2018

• Lead Toolots U.S. rebranding efforts through industry research and competitor analysis • Introduced updated visual standards for all marketing collateral to better appeal to U.S. consumers • Structured and built-out graphic asset database for more than 200 products from 50+ manufacturers • Worked closely with Toolots China to plan and implement design changes for Toolots websites • Kitted, outlined, and planned more than 20 video shoots for Toolots U.S. YouTube channel content • Established processes and visual standards for Toolots U.S. video series to maintain consistent output

Art Director

Aluminati Skateboards

2013 – 2017

• Developed all Aluminati branding, creative standards, and design processes • Regularly provided guidance and art direction for junior designers as well as independent contractors • Effectively collaborated with sales, marketing, and production departments to achieve company goals • Laid-out department timelines and workflows in accordance with product launch dates • Initiated, planned, and directed photo and video shoots for marketing efforts and product catalogues • Assisted in securing partnerships with NHL, NBA, select pro soccer clubs, and 80+ U.S. universities

Graphic Designer

Graves Advertising Plus

2012 – 2013

• Developed original graphics and print collateral for full roster of clients • Designed and built-out company newsletters • Provided graphic support to web designer on client websites and landing pages • Engaged with clients in meetings to establish scopes of work on new projects • Noted and logged feedback on projects in-progress to create progress logs and establish next steps • Leveraged business relationships to secure bids for local and special event design needs

Print Production Assistant

PrintWorks

2011 – 2012

• Assisted on typesetting, layout, and basic graphic design requests • Ensured correct color, page alignment, and misc. fine details on all print requests • Navigated bindery and large format print production, graphic design, and delivery tasks, simultaneously • Intercepted copier mechanical hiccups and provided basic troubleshooting • Vetted and contacted local businesses for print shop advertising and sales efforts • Delivered short and long distance order drop-offs

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

California State University, Fullerton

2008 – 2013

Skills: Timeline Management · User Experience Design (UED) · HTML · Typography · Digital Illustration · Graphics · Creative Problem Solving · Entrepreneurship · Project Planning · Communication · Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) · Adobe InDesign · Creative Concept Design · Color Theory · Adobe Creative Cloud · Concept Development · Graphic Design Principles · Graphic Design · User Interface Design · Branding & Identity · Adobe Acrobat · Time Management · Oral Communication · Adobe Illustrator · Visual Design · Creative Design · Managing Deadlines · Attention to Detail · Print Production · Emerging Trends · 2D graphics · Print Design · Visual Identity