make
it
happen
"SIMPLICITY IS THE ULTIMATE SOPHISTICATION"
LEONARDO DA VINCI
some PROJECTS
Pop Stars & Pens
Levi Strauss & Co
Adobe Systems
Sakura of America - creating a buzz in the teen market
Sakura of America manufactures and distributes writing instruments and fine art supplies. In 1985, they introduced a revolutionary gel ink pen the Gelly Roll®. Closely watching buying trends, the Sakura marketing team determined Gelly Roll Metallics were catching on among teens, and turned to Imagine That, a design and advertising group to help expand their brand.
As the senoir graphic designer we responded with the launch of the "Power to Express" campaign - in Teen People inaugural issues - integrating advertising, promotions and web site contests. The promotion drew thousands of submissions, and four compelling ads were developed around the winning entries. Demand for Gelly Rolls continues to soar each time the ads hit the newsstands.
In addition, we and Sakura co-developed the Gelly Roll Journal, which packages Gelly Roll pens, removable pages, and fun drawing templates together, enticing even the novice to try their hand at creative self expression. The journals launched in November of 1999, selling more than a million units in outlets from Barnes & Noble to Target.
Projects for LS&Co
Environmental Graphics for Levi Plaza, San Francisco. Project included design and fabrication of signage, showcasing of products, large-scale murals, posters and historical exhibits of Levi’s influence on American culture.
Retail merchandising and display design and development for Levi's retail displays to optimize sales and increase product capacities. My responsibilities included: branding, design and development of point of purchase (POP), floor plans for retail space, national identity standards, design of fixtures, product locator posters, and design of merchandising display units.
Influencing the Global
Design Community
Adobe Illustrator is a popular, powerful illustration software and industry standard. I worked closely with Adobe's marketing communications team to design the packaging and promotional graphics for the software new release for international marketing.
Our goal was to get people excited about the many new tools and features Adobe Illustrator offered. One of my illustrations was featured in MacWorld, I could not be more pleased. I also helped develop some of features and tools that is used today by professional designers, illustrators and digital creatives.
ABOUT
BILL
OWEN
(Selfie)
Honors and Awards:
-
Communications Arts, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002.
-
MacWorld-Adobe Systems, Inc. 1996.
-
ADDY: Gold, Silver and Citation of Excellence, National 1998, 1999,
-
West Cost 1997, 2002 Silver, 2003 Gold (AAF)
-
American Graphic Design USA, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004
-
Cooper Hewitt Museum (Exhibt: Mixed Messages), New York 1998
Education:
BFA, Graphic Design,
California College of the Arts
20 Years of Experience:
Here's a few of the positions I had before going solo.
-
Art Director at Invision Design Group, Inc., San Francisco
-
Designer at Akagi Remington, San Fransico
-
Graphic Designer at Zimmerman Crowe Design/Vehicle SF, San Francisco
-
Designer at Adobe Systems