- Leads creative strategy, art direction, and design across brand identity, digital, print, campaign, and integrated projects for national institutions, universities, healthcare organizations, and Fortune 500 clients including Florida International University, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Children’s National, and Marriott International.
- Directs multidisciplinary creative initiatives from initial brief and concept development through presentation, production, and delivery, providing art direction and creative critique throughout.
- Establishes visual direction, brand guidelines, design systems, templates, and production processes across channels and teams to maintain consistency at scale.
- Designs and directs digital experiences including responsive websites, mobile interfaces, landing pages, email, and social content.
- Partners with marketing teams, developers, photographers, writers, and project managers to deliver integrated creative solutions. Manages a select team of creative talent, including remote contractors.
- Organizes creative assets, production files, templates, and documentation to support efficient workflows and long-term scalability. Manages offset and digital printing and color correction for client collateral. Coordinates press checks.
- Incorporates AI-assisted creative tools into ideation, visual exploration, production, and creative workflow development.
Professional Profile
John Welker
Design Manager & Creative Director
Professional Experience
- Led product vision, UX/UI design, visual direction, and creative development for a proprietary digital playbook platform serving professional, collegiate, and amateur sports organizations.
- Designed native iOS and web applications, creating intuitive interfaces and interactive experiences for complex content.
- Developed the PlayAction® App, launched through Apple’s App Store in 2011, earning coverage in CNET, CNN, and The Washington Post.
- Established relationships with Apple Education and AirWatch to develop distribution opportunities targeting college sports.
- Managed creative talent overseas including mobile developers and sales representatives in Europe.
- Prepared products, trademarks, and creative assets for acquisition by a leading competitor in the sports technology industry.
- Developed and taught introductory Graphic Design coursework focused on Adobe Creative Cloud and real-world design practice, leading students through branding, identity, concept development, presentation, and critique.
- Led concept development, brand identity, art direction, and full-scale design across a growing national client roster spanning real estate, communications, technology, and retail sectors. Managed a team of six creatives across multiple accounts.
- Provided creative direction as the design studio evolved from a two-person boutique into a full-service digital agency, collaborating with creative directors, developers, strategists, and account teams.
- Served as junior art director for multimedia kiosks, websites, and interactive experiences, designing ADA-compliant digital experiences for The Phillips Collection, Princeton University Art Museum, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and National Museum of the American Indian.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Graphic Design / Visual Communications
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Baltimore, MD · 1996–2000