Rodrigo Hernandez
Summary
Dynamic Art Director with extensive experience at KPMG, LLP, excelling in brand strategy and project management. Proven track record of delivering high-quality collateral and training teams, enhancing creative accuracy and driving client engagement. Adept in digital design and fostering creative collaboration, consistently achieving impactful results in fast-paced environments.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Art Director/Design Manager
KPMG, LLP
Montvale
01.2012 - Current
- Served as account manager for national tax marketing team, strategizing on internal and external campaigns.
- Coordinated national ad production for print and digital media, training offshore teams in processes.
- Led governance for offshore design partners, overseeing training and onboarding initiatives.
- Delivered agency-level collateral using offshore teams to drive new client engagement and revenue generation.
- Onboarded and trained new hires to ensure effective integration into the team.
- Reviewed deliverables to maintain high-quality standards and compliance with brand guidelines.
- Functioned as creative leader and Art Director, supervising Associate Designers and Senior Designers.
- Instituted quality review process for over 200 deliverables monthly to enhance creative accuracy.
Art Director
Kaplan Publishing
New York
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Design and art direct over 20 trade and test prep titles per season to reflect Kaplan branding, oversee implementation into interiors and collateral material including marketing
- Supervise eBook conversion from print materials
- Create and lead production of art for mobile apps and digital products
- Lead and test PDF creation for printers
- Test and implement color management software in order to reduce correction costs
- Manage art department personnel
Associate Art Director, Pocket Books, Atria Books
Simon & Schuster
New York
01.1996 - 01.2006
- Managed 9 person art department staff.
- Responsible for over 20 New York Times Bestselling covers
- Chosen to design covers for numerous #1 bestselling authors, including Dan Brown
- Negotiated pricing schedules with photo agencies to reduce costs by 20%
- Tested software for compatibility with existing applications and workflow
- Trained and mentored new designers to incorporate existing brands
- Art directed freelancers and in-house staff.
- Coordinated with managing editors and production department to maintain schedules.
- Collaborated with editors, copywriters, and marketing staff to discuss cover strategy and ensure author brands
- Recognized for producing high quality Photoshop art for final output
Senior Designer, Pocket Books, Atria Books
Simon & Schuster
New York
01.1999 - 01.2005
- Designed original covers for Young Adult, Mass Market, Trade, and Hardcover books
- Collaborated with photo agencies and illustrators in conceptualizing and preparing art
- Composed high resolution art in Photoshop for final film output
- Art directed outside designers to supplement in-house staff
Designer, Pocket Books
Simon & Schuster
New York
01.1996 - 01.1999
- Designed original covers for Young Adult, Mass Market, Trade, and Hardcover books
- Collaborated with photo agencies and illustrators in conceptualizing and preparing art
- Composed high resolution art in Photoshop for final film output
- Art directed outside designers to supplement in-house staff
On-site Freelancer, Prentice Hall College Division
Simon & Schuster
Upper Saddle River
01.1995 - 01.1996
- Assisted art director in design of book covers and interiors
- Prepared cover and interior disks for press and composition to outside vendors
Junior Designer, College Division
St. Martin's Press
New York
01.1993 - 01.1995
- Managed and designed ongoing list of 15 titles (covers and some interiors)
- Hired freelancers and met with editors for design direction and approval
Designer, mechanical artist for publishers and ad agencies
Freelance Graphic Designer
01.1990 - 01.1993
- Berkley Publishing
- J.J. Michaels
- St. Martin's Press
- Random House
Designer
Lechner Design Group
Suffern
01.1989 - 01.1990
- Supervised three person design studio. Designed promotion pieces, logos, and signage programs
- Met with clients, coordinated with vendors on bidding, purchasing services, and supervising press runs
Education
B.F.A. - Graphic Design
School of Visual Arts
New York, NYSkills
- Art direction
- Project management
- Brand strategy
- Digital design
- Print production
- Creative collaboration
- Training and mentoring
Websites
Timeline
Art Director/Design Manager
KPMG, LLP
01.2012 - Current
Art Director
Kaplan Publishing
01.2007 - 01.2011
Senior Designer, Pocket Books, Atria Books
Simon & Schuster
01.1999 - 01.2005
Associate Art Director, Pocket Books, Atria Books
Simon & Schuster
01.1996 - 01.2006
Designer, Pocket Books
Simon & Schuster
01.1996 - 01.1999
On-site Freelancer, Prentice Hall College Division
Simon & Schuster
01.1995 - 01.1996
Junior Designer, College Division
St. Martin's Press
01.1993 - 01.1995
Designer, mechanical artist for publishers and ad agencies
Freelance Graphic Designer
01.1990 - 01.1993
Designer
Lechner Design Group
01.1989 - 01.1990
B.F.A. - Graphic Design
School of Visual Arts
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