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Nik VanDenMeerendonk
Art Director - Senior Graphic Designer
Minneapolis,MN
Summary
Art Director and Senior Graphic Designer with 20+ years of experience translating ideas into thoughtful, compelling visual communications. Background spans brand development, creative direction, integrated campaigns, digital design, web, print, and video. Equally comfortable establishing the big-picture creative vision and working through the details, with a practical understanding of marketing strategy, UX, production, and what makes creative work effective.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Creative Art Director
Welland Laike Communications
Des Moines, IA
06.2025 - Current
- Direct creative development, art direction, and media strategy for advertising clients, overseeing account operations, visual production, and digital initiatives.
- Developed a complete visual identity for a new market product launch, including logo, typography, and brand style guide.
- Conceptualize and produce integrated creative across print, digital, outdoor, and video, maintaining consistency across channels and applications.
- Direct broadcast media planning and buying, including rate negotiations, campaign scheduling, performance tracking, and post-campaign analysis.
- Manage creative and media partnerships with printers, digital platforms, streaming providers, and major sports organizations.
- Lead SEO and Answer Engine Optimization initiatives while overseeing website content and editorial scheduling.
Creative Art Director
Let America Know
Minneapolis, MN
06.2025 - Current
- Lead visual identity, web design, and integrated marketing for a consumer rights advocacy organization.
- Developed the organization's visual identity, including logo, color palette, typography, and supporting brand elements.
- Modernized flagship e-newsletters, You Should Know and In Your Interest, overseeing editorial design and brand consistency.
- Designed and built custom website layouts and newsletter templates, supporting subscriber growth and engagement.
- Produce executive presentations, promotional materials, business collateral, and other multi-channel creative assets.
- Provide remote creative support for corporate conferences, preparing and formatting presentation materials.
Graphic Designer / Art Director
Independent Creative Consultant
Minneapolis, MN
05.2004 - Current
- Built and maintained long-term client relationships, including an ongoing partnership spanning more than two decades.
- Partner with marketing directors, agency founders, and business owners to develop creative concepts and execute campaigns from initial strategy through final production.
- Create brand identities, visual concepts, and marketing materials tailored to individual business objectives.
- Develop integrated advertising assets across digital display, social media, print, outdoor, and other platforms.
- Write and develop campaign content, translating marketing objectives into clear, engaging creative communications.
- Design and package brand assets supporting business repositioning, new market initiatives, and evolving pricing models.
- Edit and produce promotional, educational, and event video content using Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Final Cut Pro.
Marketing Media Manager
Bellwether Media, Inc. - FlutterBee Education Group
Minneapolis, MN
03.2015 - 05.2025
- Progressed from Marketing Media Specialist to Marketing Media Manager, reflecting expanded responsibilities and increased ownership of creative and marketing initiatives.
- Directed integrated marketing, visual identity, and digital strategy across a multi-brand children's publishing portfolio encompassing four-plus distinct brands.
- Managed content, UX, and vendor relationships for eight websites, including e-commerce and safe-search platforms supporting more than 7,000 products.
- Developed high-volume creative assets, including digital advertising, email graphics, social campaigns, and promotional book trailers.
- Built and elevated multiple brand identities from the ground up, including GoGo Library and FlutterBee Education Group.
- Led a comprehensive Factsurfer brand and UX redesign, refreshing its visual identity and digital experience.
- Designed and produced 2-4 product catalogs annually for sales teams, distribution partners, and direct-mail campaigns.
- Developed promotional partnerships with School Library Journal and Booklist to support marketing initiatives and sales leads.
- Developed promotional partnerships with high-profile industry partners, including School Library Journal and Booklist, resulting in increased sales leads.
- Directed trade show booth design and promotional production for annual industry events.
- Regularly traveled onsite to run product booths at trade shows and annual industry conferences.
Art Director
Curly Creative Communications
Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
06.2014 - 08.2022
- Developed visual brand strategies and multi-channel creative for regional cultural heritage initiatives and major community events.
- Designed large-format billboards, event signage, promotional materials, and merchandise to increase event visibility and audience engagement.
- Established brand guidelines and visual systems for recurring annual festivals, strengthening consistency and recognition.
- Produced digital marketing content across web, social media, and email while managing print specifications and vendor relationships.
Creative Graphic Artist
Lillie Suburban Newspapers, Inc.
North St. Paul, MN
09.2007 - 11.2013
- Created award-winning editorial artwork, special-issue covers, and feature graphics under demanding publication deadlines.
- Developed advertising concepts and produced print and digital advertisements from initial design through final production.
- Managed creative production across six-plus community newspapers, balancing editorial design with revenue-generating advertising.
- Developed campaign copy and supported company social media initiatives.
Graphic Designer
Earlier Creative Experience
09.2004 - 09.2007
- St. Paul Saints Baseball – Graphic Design Intern | April 2007–September 2007
- The Minnesota Daily – Creative Designer | September 2005–September 2006
- Minnesota Student Association – Graphic Designer | September 2004–May 2005
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Art & Advertising
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN01-2006
Skills
- Design & Creative Software: Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, CapCut
- Web Design & CMS: WordPress, Dreamweaver, GoHighLevel, HubSpot, Magento, Drupal, Prismic, TitleLeaf, custom CMS platforms
- Additional Tools: Figma, Canva
- Core Competencies: Art Direction, Brand Identity Development, Creative Concept Development, Integrated Campaigns, Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Web Design & UX, Digital Marketing, Print & Digital Production, Video Editing, SEO & AEO, Project Management, Vendor Management
Accomplishments
- MNA Better Newspaper Contest 2010-2011: First Place – Design Portfolio
- MNA Better Newspaper Contest 2010-2011: First Place – Use of Information Graphics & Graphic Illustrations
- MNA Better Newspaper Contest 2010-2011: Second Place – Use of Information Graphics & Graphic Illustrations
Timeline
Creative Art Director
Welland Laike Communications
06.2025 - Current
Creative Art Director
Let America Know
06.2025 - Current
Marketing Media Manager
Bellwether Media, Inc. - FlutterBee Education Group
03.2015 - 05.2025
Art Director
Curly Creative Communications
06.2014 - 08.2022
Creative Graphic Artist
Lillie Suburban Newspapers, Inc.
09.2007 - 11.2013
Graphic Designer
Earlier Creative Experience
09.2004 - 09.2007
Graphic Designer / Art Director
Independent Creative Consultant
05.2004 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Art & Advertising
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities