RESUME
Resume
760-688-6011
vanessavanhawkins@gmail.com
As a creative director, I bring a wealth of skills in visual arts, design, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship to the table. My strategic approach to creativity drives me to spearhead impactful brand campaigns with dedication. I thrive on conceiving volume-boosting ideas by blending my passion for art, storytelling, and brand development. Integrating design expertise with the latest in technology and digital marketing is where I excel.
Whether directing a creative & marketing team or implementing design and executing campaigns myself, I'm a strong creative leader with the ability to get into the trenches. I thrive in both roles—leading with vision and strategy while also rolling up my sleeves to handle the nitty-gritty details. My adaptability allows me to pivot seamlessly between high-level leadership and hands-on execution, ensuring that every project meets the highest standards, whether I'm guiding a team or doing the work myself.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6671906d5f30bad84872cebe/6671906d5f30bad84872cf20_unnamed-2-.jpg)
Skills
• Leadership & Team Building
• Branding & Identity Design
• Website, App & Landing Page Design
• Brand Marketing
• Digital Marketing
• Email Marketing
• Social Media & Influencer Marketing
• Campaign Execution & Management
• Tech Product Development
• Forecasting Market Analysis
• Strategic Budget Planning & Forecasting
• Catalog Curation & Merchandising
• Conversion Rate Optimization
• Consumer Packaging Design
• Catalog & Magazine Layout
• Photo Editing
Platforms & Technology
• eComm: Shopify Plus
• Web: Webflow, Squarespace
• CRM: Klaviyo, Attentive
• Paid Channels: Meta, Google, Youtube & Pinterest
• Analytics: G4, Triplewhale
• Comms: Slack, Trello, Monday
• CRO: Shogun, Hotjar, Microsoft Clarity
Experience
Alchemy Fine Home
Creative Director
2015—2024
Successfully transformed Alchemy into a prominent luxury furniture brand, achieving remarkable growth and revenue exceeding $11 million. Evolving into an eCommerce virtuoso, I seamlessly integrated technology, creativity, branding, marketing, and team building into my skill set, all while maintaining a sharp focus on profitability.
• Creative Direction & Branding
• UX / UI Design of Website & App
• Managed a Team of 9 Direct Reports - Designers, Marketers and Developers
• Grew Organic & Direct Traffic to contribute a combined 75% of revenue
• Grew Sales by 105% YOY for 2 consecutive years
• Oversaw Annual Campaign & Promotional Content Calendar
• Conversion Rate Optimization - 35% Lift
• Influencer Marketing - Engaged Celebrity Designers to Create Content / 3k+ Influencers
• Forged Strategic Partnerships With Real Estate & Staging Companies
• CRM - Email, SMS & Push - Grew a 300k+ List / 45% of Total Onsite Revenue
• Social Media Marketing - Curated & Grew Instagram Account to 88k Highly Engaged Followers
• Content Creation - Photo & Video - Influencers, Interior Designers & Strategic Partners
• Integrated Key eComm Tech - Merchandising, Ai Creative/Copy Testing, List Generation & Audience Optimization
• Digital Marketing -Managed Paid Media, SEO, Influencer & Retention Marketing Teams
• Managed Monthly Budgets of $100k+
• Optimized & Reported On Target KPI's
• Oversaw Annual Campaign & Promotional Content Calendar
• Conversion Rate Optimization - 35% Lift
• Influencer Marketing - Engaged Celebrity Designers to Create Content / 3k+ Influencers
• Forged Strategic Partnerships With Real Estate & Staging Companies
Nogin
Senior Brand Manager
2017—2019
• Managed Branding & Digital Marketing for Key Fashion Clients - Joe's Jeans, Dogeared Jewelry & Aquaitalia
• Website Design & Merchandising
• Promotional & Seasonal Content Calendar
• Email Marketing Design & Execution
• Managed Accounts with Over $1 million Monthly Marketing Spend
• Reported On Paid Channel Advertising
• Coordinated Key Social Media Events & Influencer Campaigns
• Email Marketing - Grew a 300k Engaged Email List that Contributed 45% of Total Revenue
Luxury Weddings & Events
Art Director
2009—2017
• Designed Luxury Weddings, Private Events & Charity Events Across the US and Europe
• Had Key Event Featured In Top Wedding Magazines Including Martha Stewart Weddings & Harpers Bazaar
• Taught Wedding Art Direction & Styling Workshops to Photographers Across Europe
• Created Experiential Designs - Lighting, Video, Art Installations & Culinary Experiences
• Managed Budgets over $1m
• Oversaw Intricate Installations & Logistics Involving Over 30 Vendors Per Event
• Coordinated Luxury Travel Accommodations & Activity Planning For Guests
• Collaborated with Luxury Hotel Groups In Monaco, Ibiza, Italy & Mexico for Elite Wedding Packages
• Designed Luxury Invitations & Event Stationery Including Laser Cutting, Foiling, Letterpress & Etching on Metal
Brighton
Freelance Art Director
2007—2009
• Directed Key Photoshoots for Marketing Campaigns, In-Store Signage & eCommerce Campaigns
• Creative Team Selection & Management - Curated the best Photographers, Model Selection, Beauty & Make Up Teams
• Site & Prop Scouting - Hollywood Hills Homes, Historical Sites, Vintage Car & Boat Rentals
• Directed & Coordinated Studio Shoots and Set Design
• Designed Branded Magazine, Catalog & Print Design Pieces
• Illustrated Patterns & Designed Design for Retail & eCommerce
Mistral
Art Director
2004—2007
• Packaging Design for Perfume, Bath & Body Products
• Art Direction Photoshoots
• Product Catalog Design
• Curated Creative Teams - Photographers & Stylists
• Illustrated Patterns For Signature Scents
• Designed Luxury Packaging & Gift Sets
• Coordinated Printing & Packaging Production Including: Catalogs, Folding Cartons, Custom Die Lines, Foiling, Laser Cutting, Plastic Injection Moulding, Tins, Tubes, Custom Glass Bottles & Labels
• Ensured Legal Labeling Requirements Met for International Distribution
• Designed Private Label Collections for Nordstrom, Anthropologie & Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Education
- Art History
- Identity Design
- Color Theory
- Design Psychology
- Spatial Design
- 3D Renderings
- Textile Design
- Painting and Illustration
- figure drawing
- art history