David E. Sims

1030 NW 12th Ave., Unit 331
Portland, Oregon 97209
256-810-5477
davidsimsdesign@gmail.com

Art director/designer with 15+ years of experience working on both the agency and client side. Expert skills in a wide variety of print media and design, including publications, advertising, point of sale and brand identity. Seasoned art director, experienced in photo styling, directing independent photographers and illustrators, supervising outside contract talent and designing and managing events. Comfortable working with a variety of drag and drop digital platforms and social media. Accomplished illustrator working primarily in digital, acrylic and mixed media. Excellent communicator, patient teacher, valuable team member and loyal employee.

Career Experience

November 2017 – Present
Graphic Design Manager, Communications, OHSU Foundation
Lead the Foundation’s design team. Primarily responsible for the design and production of print and digital graphics for the foundation’s signature and alumni events, community partnerships and internal communications. Created unique stewardship pieces for significant donors and community partners. Conceptualized, art directed and executed cross-platform campaigns for annual giving days and annual fundraising campaigns.

Creative Partner, No’Ala Studios, Florence, AL (21 years)
Responsible for the design and production of advertising and marketing materials, art direction for photography and video, event management, brand design and management, point of sale, package design and supervision of creative staff and contractors.

Clients included national associations (American Health Care Association), regional healthcare providers (Regional Care), educational institutions (The University of North Alabama and Northwest-Shoals Community College), and a variety of corporate, retail, real estate and non-profit organizations (including Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, Arts Alive, and more). 

In 2008, created No’Ala, a bi-monthly regional magazine serving North Alabama. Responsible for all phases of design and production, including art direction for outside freelancers.

Advertising Manager, Metrocall (formerly Network USA), Pensacola, FL/Nashville, TN (4 years)
Created, staffed, and managed an in-house agency for this regional telecommunications firm based in Pensacola, FL and Nashville, TN. Responsible for budgeting, ad/outdoor design and placement, collateral materials, packaging, retail design, annual meetings and special events, public relations, internal communications and incentive programs.

Art Director/Creative Partner, Tully & Sims Advertising, Pensacola, FL (2 years)
Art director and creative partner for this small boutique firm in Pensacola, FL. Responsible for all art direction and design. Worked on a variety of business to business, retail, and governmental accounts—most notably the Pensacola tourism account.

Senior Designer, Hemmer & Yates Advertising, Pensacola, FL (7 years)
Senior graphic designer for this regional advertising and design firm in Pensacola, FL. This was my first position post college, and it provided me with an indispensable training in all aspects of design and advertising. Worked on a variety of small to regional accounts, including Gulf Power and the Southern Company.

Graphic Designer, Hemmer & Yates Advertising, Pensacola, FL (1 year)
Interned with this firm (see above entry) throughout my first two years of college and during summers. My most notable accomplishment was refinishing a 1920 walnut conference table. I also cleaned, fetched coffee for the employees, and ran a variety of errands. I loved every minute of it.

Teaching Experience

Adjunct Instructor, Design; The University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
Adjunct Instructor, Advertising Design; The University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL
Adjunct Instructor, Graphic Design, Illustration, Portfolio; Pensacola State College, Pensacola, FL

Education

Master of Arts, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL; Summa Cum Laude

Selected Honors, Publications, and Exhibitions

  • 14 Gold Gamma Awards for No’Ala magazines from the Magazine Association of the Southeast (MAGS)

  • Featured artist, Arts Stroll, Huntsville, AL

  • The Alabama Five, Bill Shores Gallery, Chattanooga, TN

  • Three time official poster artist, Arts Alive Festival, Florence, AL

  • Best of Show winner, Personal Communications Industry Association Marketing Awards

  • Two time honoree, Print Regional Design Annual

  • The New York Society of Illustrators; Illustrators 28

  • Over 60 local gold and silver Addy Awards, including a District First place (Florida and the Caribbean)

  • Two time winner, Shoals Alabama Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year

Software and Hand Skills

  • Fluent in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator); Proficient in Microsoft Office, Squarespace, and WordPress

  • Accomplished painter and illustrator, working primarily in acrylics and digital mediums.