1. alex watkins aswatkins@comcast.net | 763.458.1691
To whom it may concern,
With over 17 years of senior print and digital design and programming experience for a leading integrated marketing
communications firm serving national brand B2C and B2B clients, including 3M, Ecolab, Microsoft, Valspar, Cargill, Minnetronix,
and many other Middle Market firms in the medical device, industrial/logistics and financial marketplace, I would like to explore
new opportunities. My move was unanticipated and resulted from a difficult decision on the part of my long-standing employer
to initially reduce my hours and earnings, based on immediate operational and financial considerations. My employer, whom
I currently assist on a freelance basis, will gladly provide you with a strong letter of recommendation on my behalf, assuming
further interest.
As an award-winning multidisciplinary designer, I have extensive experience in creating brand driven and effective marketing
communications for both print and web, the latter including a strong understanding of HTML and CSS for responsive, CMS
websites. I believe you will find that my talents are a great fit for the core competencies/responsibilities you have outlined in
your position description.
Equally adept at both design and art direction, as well as in frontend web development. I am a go-to team player capable of
providing strategic, creative and production ready solutions on or off the web. Given my extensive experience and broad scope
of responsibilities, I also enjoy working with and mentoring less experienced designers and developers who often need a veteran
to guide them in producing a cohesive solution whether for a website, brochure or POP display. My helpful caring and sharing
attitude is a reflection of my lifelong commitment to the design profession and a passion to achieving thoughtful and creative
solutions regardless of the medium. Additionally, my solid understanding of time and project management, along with great
troubleshooting skills in workflow, hardware and print to web software, would benefit any company that retains me. I am also
comfortable in client facing situations where the goal is to communicate an effective design-to-production/programming solution
deriving from a process-based and quality assured workflow.
A current resume detailing my previous professional experience is attached for your review. I look forward to discussing this
opportunity with you and reviewing the needs of your company in greater detail. I appreciate your consideration and you may
contact me by e-mail or phone listed above. As noted, you are also free to speak with my current employer regarding my status.
I really look forward to learning more about your company and hope we can schedule a time to meet in the near future.
Sincerely,
Alex P. Watkins

2. OVERVIEW Proven success as an award-winning, multi-disciplinary Senior Art Director and Designer for a well know
national brand marketing communications and digital design firm serving Fortune 1000 and Middle Market
clients throughout North America. With over 17 years of progressively increasing design-to-production/
programming experience for leading B2C and B2B clients, including firms like 3M, Ecolab, Medtronic,
Microsoft, and Valspar, among others, strengths include the ability to concept, design, produce and
program both a wide variety of print and digital media. Well diversified in all areas of frontend website
design and programming for responsive, CMS websites as well as complete print-ready skills required for
advertising, sales promotion, tradeshow/POP and packaging graphics. Well versed in the application of
corporate brand identity guidelines required to produce creative and compelling websites, digital
marketing campaigns, advertising, and sales promotion for clients in E-tail, professional services, high-tech
manufacturing, logistics, and medical device industries. Excellent planning, organizational skills and
communication. I have an eye for detail and am very meticulous when it comes to the organization,
management and application of workflow procedures and techniques. I am a very effective team player
and work well under pressure. Known for detail, creativity, flexibility and a good sense of humor.
EXPERIENCE MVP Marketing + Design Inc.
Integrated Marketing Communications and Digital Design Firm
Senior Art Director/Designer Web & Print | 2007-Present
Implement design and creative direction from concept through completion for a wide variety of national
brand B2C and B2B web, print and branding projects. Key responsibilities include the concept, frontend
design/development (HTML & CSS) of Responsive WordPress websites, and programing/production of
own projects, as well as helping to guide and assure the quality and craftsmanship of third-party freelancers,
photographers and web developers. Participate in new business opportunities and ongoing client
presentations where my customer facing skills and can-do attitude have been a real plus. (In this role, I
worked collaboratively with the firm’s president and clients during the concept to programming/print
production process and have often assumed project management responsibilities as well.) Mentor both
design and project management staff as appropriate. Implement new departmental processes and procedures
in the print, web and I.T. areas of the firm’s business. Participate at the leadership level in the EOS Traction
entrepreneurial operating system process to achieve greater efficiencies in all aspects of firm’s business.
Senior Designer/Production Manager | 2000-2007
Creative development and design in all areas of web and print projects including taking projects from
concept to completion. Participate in client facing meetings. Worked closely with our creative director
and ensuring that the client’s vision is on par with the final creative. Attended and art directed photoshoots.
Oversaw print production files from creatives and made sure they were print production ready for the printer
and also attended press checks when needed. In communication with printers, vendors, photographers and
freelance professionals. Implemented a design and production folder structure for both print and web
projects along with a process and workflow of the creative, project management and production processes
that impact the company as a whole. Took on the inner workings of the company from an I.T. perspective
and implemented a server with raid and backup setup that changed the company’s productive output for
years to come.
Designer/Production Artist | 1998-2000
The first two years in the industry I was thrown into a multitude of design disciplines from learning all
facets of print to taking the first steps in the emerging field of website design. I worked closely with the
creative director providing print production and all aspects of print-ready design. With the growth of the
internet, I progressed to designing websites, web image production and early SEO web trends reports for
clients. Attended creative client meetings and provided art direction and supervision of photoshoots and
press checks.
Continued ↓
alex watkins aswatkins@comcast.net | 763.458.1691

3. ACHIEVEMENTS My work has been recognized repeatedly in American Graphic Design, Corporate Identity, International
Web Awards, Graphic Design USA and Web Design Awards.
CLIENTS 3M [multiple divisions including Office & Stationery (Post-it®
and Scotch®
Brands), Medical, Promotional
and more], Medtronic, Ecolab, Valspar, CH Robinson, TSI, Empi/DJO, Minnetronix, BRTI Life Sciences, G&K
Services, Malt-O-Meal (MOM Brands), Churchill Capital, GMB Mezzanine, Mold Craft, Meier Tool, Regency,
Country Choice Organics and Wild Delight, among others.
SKILLS Adobe CC, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat, After Effects, Dreamweaver, Edge Reflow, Edge
Animate, UX/UI, WordPress, HTML, CSS, Sketch, Omnigraffle, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Word, Excel,
and Powerpoint.
EDUCATION BFA, Graphic Design with a concentration on Marketing Communications.
Saint Cloud State University, MN - Honors Graduate - 1997.
Continuing Education in Website Design and Development including all aspects of HTML, CSS and
JavaScript for frontend website design and development.
PORTFOLIO www.linkedin.com/in/alexwatkins