Hi. I'm Clay.
A Designer.
About
I’m Clay, an experienced graphic designer. I specialize in creating functional and user-friendly design solutions with a strong emphasis on business-oriented design.
I gravitated toward graphic design to merge my interests in creativity, problem-solving, exploration, and business. Through design, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with founders of small businesses. Helping them shape their brand identity as their companies grow. This hands-on experience has broadened my skills as a generalist, allowing me to navigate various areas of design and understand its impact on business goals.
Whether it’s freelance or in my current role, I strive to improve design systems, increase output, and drive revenue growth. My best work happens when I’m helping new products and brands establish a visual identity and gain traction in the market while working closely with an ambitious team.
Strengths
I’m a generalist with a foundation in diverse design experiences, I bring a strategic approach honed over years of aligning design with business goals, stakeholder needs, and user expectations. My commitment lies in crafting purposeful designs grounded in research and insights. From collaborating directly with stakeholders to tackling varied design challenges across industries, I thrive on delivering impactful solutions that drive results.
Education
Bachelor of Science
Graphic Design, Marketing
Indiana State University
2009 – 2012
General Studies
Transfer
Purdue University
2006 – 2008
Experience
Art Director 🡪
RCA Commercial Electronics
2020 – 2025
Provided strategic leadership in product launches, team management, and expanding product offerings.
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Key Achievements
- Pioneered the successful launch of RCA’s inaugural consumer video game monitor line in late 2023. Collaborated with an external creative agency and PR firm to develop impactful ad campaigns and product reviews by leading tech industry experts. Led the establishment of the visual and brand identity, product packaging, and ensured multi-platform presence on TikTok, Instagram/Meta, Amazon, Newegg, Walmart, and Shopify.
- Worked with senior leadership to develop an RCA-branded line of PPE. Collaborating with manufacturers overseas, under tight deadlines to develop a full offering of healthcare products. Introduction of PPE led to 41% YoY growth in 2019.
- Onboarded multiple jr. graphic designers. Remotely managed through COVID WFH period, and successfully acclimated them to the design system, increasing production in year 1 by 3.2X the prior year.
- Developed a comprehensive lighting catalog to cover a 300% increase in product offerings since 2018. Conducted product & market research with sales leaders to develop new marketing copy for our products. Led photo direction, generating hundreds of new assets.
Senior Graphic Designer 🡪
RCA Commercial Electronics
2017 – 2020
Responsible for every level of design & the creation of process management, in a deadline-driven environment. Operating with full transparency to ensure business goals were being achieved.
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Key Achievements
- Created a master catalog for RCA Televisions. Ran the entire creative workflow solo, developed all layout designs, copy, technical specifications, photography, and managed print production.
- Executed brand awareness and customer acquisition strategies; organized 4 annual national exhibitions and multiple regional tradeshows, developed direct mailing, and print advertising.
- Successfully directed the creation of our flagship website, RCA Lights. Developed all web assets internally and collaborated with an outside agency to build a WordPress theme and backend.
- Email designer and campaign manager. Organically grew our initial list of 400 contacts to over 18K, with an average open rate of 30% that outperforms our industry.
Founding Designer 🡪
RCA Commercial Electronics
2014 – 2017
I joined the RCA Commercial team as their first true Graphic Designer, with limited brand assets. I developed an atomic design system, to increase production and design with scale in mind.
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Key Achievements
- Developed brand identity and atomic design systems across multiple brands to increase production by 150% over the first 3 years.
- Worked with Sales & Senior executives as a project manager and designer to create new POS materials and provide creative assets for our brands: RCA, DTS, and Continu.us
- Created a custom content management system to improve document retrieval for internal & external sales teams.
- With a built-out design system to support sales, helped increase revenue YoY in year 1 by 127%, and another 53% in year 2. 49% CAGR in the first 3 years.
Freelance Design 🡪
2006 – Current
I’ve worked on multiple projects across different verticals in both B2B and B2C models. I help new brands and products gain traction by developing brand identity and creating digital and offline campaigns for clients. As a designer, I focus on building functional, user-friendly deliverables, while keeping an eye on business goals.
Travel Mode
Switzerland 🡪
Kauai, HI 🡪
Iceland 🡪
exploring AI
/imagine 🡭
Offline Mode
Books 🡪
Currently Reading: Sprint by Jake Knapp
DIY 🡪
Novice woodworker. If I’m not crafting something digitally, you can find me building something in the garage.
Currently Building: Built-Ins
Hockey 🡪
Currently Playing for: Moosejaw Gold
Movies 🡪
Currently Watching: Trakt