Skills

Creative Direction
Photo Art Direction
Art Direction
Graphic Design
Concepting
Problem Solving
Creative Strategy
Brand Experience Modeling
Brand and Visual Identity Work
Brand Development
Lead groups in brainstorming
Design layouts for variety of media
Storytelling
Inspiration Leader
Presentation of concepts to clients, partners and leadership
Break down large amounts of information and create bite-sized themes
Organization and synthesize information in real time
Draw out ideas
Confident decision-maker
Hit deadlines and budgets
Team Connector
Team Collaborator
Project Management
Create realistic schedules and deadlines
Communication in-person, online, hybrid
Proficient in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator

Experience

Target
Senior Art Director, Team Lead
2009-present

Concept, design and art direct product and lifestyle photography that drives the brand vision for seasonal campaigns and category marketing. Promotional vehicles including digital and print weekly ad, social, video and toy catalog

Digital Weekly Ad Team Lead
-New photography lead
-Designed and art directed for seasonal campaign alignments
-Managed 4 contract art directors and 3-4 contract production designers in execution
-Delivered on-brand impactful pages with no photo budget, while incorporating vendor assets
-Directed changes on all assignments
-Fielded a variety of late requests, missing information and change forms
-Managed relationships with planners and merchants
-Worked to guide team in creative leadership goals


Creative Strategy:
-Lead Innovation Design Team to offer solutions for the future of the Weekly Ad in design, functionality and user experience
-Made business case for Weekly Ad new photography by highlighting key wins with Creative Leadership
-Highlighted team wins with budget savings and tracking from vendor dollars and sales profits

Weekly Ad Senior Art Director
-Collaborated with and managed photo crew of 6-10 people on 4 week photo rotation for 10 years for weekly ad execution
-Created image quality standards and photography style guides to ensure the highest level of productivity and efficiency
are met
-Supervisor with direct report for two years
-Mentored junior art directors to hone teams for success
-Summer internship mentor 2011
-Exceeded forecasted sales goals by planning with merchandising teams to solve complex promotional strategies
-Presented and explained concepts to clients, lead brainstorms within creative team
-Hit creative and file management deadlines
-Executed last minute client merchant requests
-Collaborated with writers, production, creative producer / studio partners, creative leadership, planning partners and other art directors to create strong relationships and help cultivate our team connection
-Synthesized information in real time
-Broke down large amounts of information and create bite-sized themes
-Documented meeting information

Awards: Target

-Thought Leadership Award 2014: Developed content and best practices for work group intranet

-The Vicky Leadership Award 2014: Collaborated with development team to create script for more efficient workflow

Freelance
Graphic Designer, Art Director
1997-present

Andersen Windows
Senior Art Director
2006-2009 (3 years)

• Designed all branding initiatives for A-Series window and door launch products, including new photography, new color system, style boards, brochure, displays, ads, promotional videos for website and store-within-a-store displays

• Developed and designed print, online, retail strategies and interactive displays

• Designed a variety of print materials including invitations, product guides, brochures and sell sheets

• Led and art directed photoshoot in Colorado for national print ad to align Eagle and Andersen window lines

• Designed company-wide branding educational intranet including new content for introductory videos, directed custom audio and oversaw all interactive parts created for tool kit

  
  

Jostens, Inc
Art Director
2003-2005 (3 years)

• Designed marketing materials for graduation and school day photo lines

• Created concepts for yearbook and senior t-shirt lines

• Led creative work groups for large projects

  
  

The Nancekivell Group
Senior Graphic Designer
2000-2002 (2 years)

• Managed web team to create kit of interactive parts for website, as on-site consultant for Allianz Insurance client

• Designed large brochures, annual reports and websites

• Managed printing schedules, procured printing bids and attended press approvals

W design, Inc / iPares
Graphic Designer
1998-2000 (2 years)

• Designed invitations, logos, visual identity systems, brochures and annual reports

• Developed process workflow steps for client interaction and meetings

  
  

Education

Bachelor of Science, Design Communication and Mass Communication
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN

Community Involvement / Volunteer

• Behind the Camera, Target College Outreach and Education Event, 2024

• Career Pathways Advisory Board, Stillwater Public High School, 2024

• ArtReach St Croix: Member, 2024

• AIGA, MN Chapter: Volunteer, Mentorship Program, Portfolio 1 on 1, Design Explorers, Art Buddies

Unrelated Life Experience

• Can count back change from a $20 bill

• Can put together furniture with visual instructions

• Can list fifty states in alphabetical order

• Has keen sense of direction while hiking or finding parked cars

• Can balance bank account

• Has green thumb

• Can drive manual stick shift car

• Can untangle holiday tree lights

• Can make killer music playlist

Here's what other people are saying about me

Sara is an extremely talented art director and a true professional in every sense of the word. Not only does she deliver great creative, she can also problem-solve and take the lead on any kind of project, large or small, and do what it takes to get it done right. Smart, collaborative, strategic, articulate and fun, Sara is an incredibly well-rounded art director who would be a solid asset to any creative team.
Jacqueline Hoopman  Senior Art Director, worked directly with Sara at Target

Sara is a top notch art director. She is as organized as she is flexible, knows what she wants and conveys it well, trusts those she hires to do their jobs and proves it by seeking out and utilizing team ideas/solutions. She solves problems with no drama and appears to be unflappable! I also appreciate that she can embrace more than one answer to a creative question, exhibiting her confidence and imagination. I look forward to each opportunity I'm given to work with her!
Wendy Lewis  Photo Stylist, worked directly with Sara at Target

Very seldom in my career as a commercial photographer have I had the privilege of collaborating and working with an individual as passionate and empowering as Sara. Her ability to articulate the mission, combined with her profound design sensibilities, creates a working partnership that goes well beyond the expected. Sara's style is fresh and contemporary. She has the ability to recognize a team member's strength and work united and harmoniously to produce a concept on time and on budget. I wish Sara the very best and sincerely hope I have the privilege to work with her again soon.
Ron Crofoot  Photographer, worked directly with Sara at Andersen Windows

Sara is a great person to work with. She is always very organized and clear about direction and intent. Sara has a great eye for design and is able to easily convey her ideas either through written, visual or verbal communication. Beyond all that, she has a great sense of humor and is fun to work with.
Mike Newman  Photo digital tech / retoucher, worked directly with Sara at Andersen Windows

Sara worked on a variety of projects for us and quickly became a valuable part of our team. She communicates her ideas extremely well, presents multiple ways to solve a problem, and follows through with great design solutions. Sara has a great blend of design ability and communication skills that set her apart from many in the industry.
Damien Wolf  Chief Creative Officer, Branding and Communications Strategist, supervised Sara in freelance role

Sara has that rare combination of creativity and poise that instills confidence in both her clients and her management. A very capable designer who can collaborate with anyone, and win over the toughest clients. I hope to have the pleasure of working with her again.
David Mataya  Creative Director, supervised Sara at Andersen Windows

Sara is a self-starter who also takes direction well. In addition to her obvious abilities in layout and design, Sara brings a sense of style and a positive energy to every project. She is also an effective presenter, good with client contact and is extremely thorough–so much so that it is almost like having a second project manager and account exec on the job.
Ira Frank  Associate Creative Director, supervised Sara at Andersen Windows

Outstanding creative eye with strong design skills. Can take rough idea or concept and bring to life. Organized, efficient with superb project communication skills and ability to manage every detail. Easy to work with team player with great attitude. Not flustered by short timelines or other demands that are associated with working with major retailer.
David Nix  Director of Marketing, Creative and Digital Services, supervised Sara at Andersen Windows

Sara brings incredible creativity, design talent and skill, business aptitude, and interpersonal skills to her work. Her work ethic is inspiring and her attitude is contagious. I worked with Sara on a variety of projects and was continually impressed and inspired by her ability to find innovative yet pragmatic solutions to design problems and business situations.
Melinda Driscoll  Digital Designer, worked directly with Sara at The Nancekivell Group

sara halgrimson  •  design@sarahalgrimson.com