Hi! My name is Sam Stone (Samantha, if you want to keep it formal). I am a multi-disciplined award-winning creative with 15+ years of experience specializing in brand design, web design, creative direction, illustration, photography, and more. I am currently based out of Phoenix, Arizona—originally from the Maryland/Washington D.C. area. I hold a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in graphic design from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. 

I am currently working remotely as the lead creative at OakNorth Credit Intelligence (ONci) which is headquartered in NYC & London. I am also the owner/creative director/designer of Sam Stone Designs specializing in branding and identity, web marketing (ads, emails, etc.), photography, and custom website design.

Reach out so we can collaborate on your brand, build a custom website, create an illustration, design an ad with a high ROI, or just chat about the state of design.

Remote (NYC & London office) - March 2021 to present

Designer/Owner

• Lead creative at OakNorth Credit Intelligence (ONci)—a startup SaaS company transforming the commercial lending space.
• Create, maintain, enhance, and evolve the brand's visual identity while also collaborating closely with cross-functional teams such as sales and product design
• Ensure consistency and alignment across all touchpoints, including marketing materials, websites, customer funnel experience, product, etc. to create a consistent and impactful brand and product experience
• Leading and creating all designs for marketing campaign work, event design, sales enablement creative, websites, landing pages, etc

Phoenix, AZ - July 2013 to present

Designer/Owner

• Independent website design and development, print design and photography

• Lead email campaigns from conception to launch for major corporations and nonprofits ex. Sprint, HP, and the American Cancer Society

Charleston, SC - July 2013 to present

Senior Multimedia Designer

• Senior designer for Agency 545, Blackbaud’s award winning in-house agency Art director on award-winning, nationally recognized masterbrand campaign to establish company’s new brand positioning and identity. Created the look and feel that cascaded down all marketing channel, verticals and programs.
• Concept, create, design and lead presentations to internal stakeholders for cross-channel, go-to-market campaigns for customers and prospects that result in millions of dollars in sales pipeline
• Manage multiple project workload for internal clients in dynamic environment requiring quick production times. Deliver projects ahead of schedule due to extensive planning, ensuring of clear and actionable creative brief production, attention to detail and constant communication with internal stakeholders
• Coordinate with account managers and copywriters to produce direct mail pieces, data sheets, whitepapers, landing pages, animated and static web ads, web graphics, print ads, email layouts, interactive infographics, logos, trade show graphics, promotional materials and more
• Steward the brand by contributing to a comprehensive style guide (created the company’s illustration style, a custom icon system utilized by internal marketers, outside agencies and vendors), coordinating with internal and external stakeholders on creative reviews to ensure brand consistency and that brand standards are met
• Help introduce and lead change by collaborating with brand team, development team, and internal stakeholders. Results included unprecedented click through rates, open rates and webinar sign-ups with the introduction of new design patterns and templates (including current design trends, responsive email design, retina-ready images, larger header images, etc.), and also by incorporating the results of continued testing and applying these learnings

Charleston, SC – February 2012 to July 2013

Marketing Communications Specialist

• In-house graphic designer for a three-brand manufacturing company
• Created the logo and brand identity for Streetbond brand
• Designed and developed print and digital advertising pieces including website design and maintenance to support marketing strategy
• Maintained product labeling, updating as necessary to maintain compliance with Federal regulations
• Redesigned the information-heavy datasheets for an easier-to-read experience and more informative download
• Created a bi-monthly internal newsletter consisting of an image-heavy email blast and 3-5 minute video. Filmed, edited, and published all video content that resulted in higher open rates, and sales team indicating they felt more connected to the home office

Williamsburg, VA – October 2010 to December 2011

Art Director

• Promoted to Art Director in less than a year and supervised two graphic designers, scheduled and directed
  external photographers
• Designed editorial layouts, covers and advertisements
• Photographed and coordinated photo shoots for editorial and advertising
• Responsible for copywriting and story writing
• Directed and created a redesign of the magazine and established consistent branding
• Managed website and redesigned it for an easier-to-read modern look, complete with a mobile version for easy browsing on mobile devices

Newport News, VA – March 2010 to October 2010

In-House Designer

• Developed, created and photographed for the Anderson’s brand across multiple channels including web, TV, digital and print advertisements
• Created and printed large format in-store signage, and created digital graphics for in-store electronic signage
• Established the brand’s social media presence including Facebook and Twitter to connect to customers
• Created a new responsive website and retained Anderson’s as a freelance client for six more years
• Recognized for my work by The Garden Center Group and asked to speak about the possibilities of large format printing for independent garden centers at the 2010 conference

Tidewater, VA – July 2009 to February 2010

Photographer

• I photographed yearbook photos and senior portraits on location as well as in studio for the local school systems

College Park, MD – September 2006 to May 2009

Design Editor

• Design Editor at a daily, independent student-run newspaper that was named the number two student newspaper in the country by the Society of Professional Journalists
• Enforced style standards, ensuring quality and consistency
• Led the newspaper through a modernizing redesign and directed a new website design
• Managed and mentored a team of five designers

Baltimore, MD – May 2008 to August 2008

Page Architect

• Designed editorial layouts and covers for this daily tabloid (targeting 18-30 year olds) that was part of the Baltimore Sun/Tribune family
• Created graphics and illustrations, including some that were used as recurring elements

Washington, D.C. – June 2007 to May 2008

Designer