Cara Carpenter Hotz
Brand Experience Design
Chicago, IL, USA
773-472-3902
www.caracarpenterhotz.com
User-centric brand experiences are my focus. My career’s work spans twenty years of designing for print, digital, and environmental applications including: print and web/online collateral and advertising, B2B marketing, corporate communications (external/internal), social media, loyalty programs, financial communications, environmental and safety initiatives, employee recognition, employee wellness, human resources communications, packaging, tradeshow booths and collateral, digital presentations and branding.
My experience includes working in small creative agencies, in-house at an entrepreneurial corporation, and building and managing my company Studio Pragmatik. I have worked with organizations across sectors, including financial, transportation, manufacturing, freight forwarding, retail, non-profit, technology, cultural, education sectors and more), and with Fortune 500 multi-national companies, small businesses, government entities, educational institutions, non-profits, and museums. My clients have ranged in size from three employees to 88,000.
My experience includes working in small creative agencies, in-house at an entrepreneurial corporation, and building and managing my company Studio Pragmatik. I have worked with organizations across sectors, including financial, transportation, manufacturing, freight forwarding, retail, non-profit, technology, cultural, education sectors and more), and with Fortune 500 multi-national companies, small businesses, government entities, educational institutions, non-profits, and museums. My clients have ranged in size from three employees to 88,000.
Work Experience
Studio Pragmatik
Principal and Owner
Creative Agency
Responsible for the creative direction and management of the firm. Strategize and develop creative for brand experiences in print, digital, and environmental applications: brand identity, marketing and corporate communications, social media, web, and trade environments for global brands and across industries. Clients include United Airlines, Canadian National Railway (CN), Cleversafe, Staff Management, Argonne National Laboratory, GLL Investors, Sanderson Asset Management.
Responsible for the creative direction and management of the firm. Strategize and develop creative for brand experiences in print, digital, and environmental applications: brand identity, marketing and corporate communications, social media, web, and trade environments for global brands and across industries. Clients include United Airlines, Canadian National Railway (CN), Cleversafe, Staff Management, Argonne National Laboratory, GLL Investors, Sanderson Asset Management.
October 2006
- March 2017
Illinois, United States
National Society Daughters Of The American Revolution
National Chair, Continental Congress Communications
Global Service Organization with 175,000 members
Responsible for planning and managing four groups: Press Releases, Photography, Social Media, and Congress Herald daily news during NSDAR’s annual weeklong Continental Congress in Washington, DC. Serve by appointment of the President General, NSDAR.
Responsible for planning and managing four groups: Press Releases, Photography, Social Media, and Congress Herald daily news during NSDAR’s annual weeklong Continental Congress in Washington, DC. Serve by appointment of the President General, NSDAR.
July 2019
- Present
United States
North Carolina State University
Design Camp Graphic Design Instructor
+ Introduced high-school campers to the graphic design discipline
+ Developed the project curriculum for a one-day, collaborative graphic design experience (for five days)
+ Provided design process instruction and guidance
+ Led critiques that used peer discussion techniques to further each participant’s work
My graphic design curriculum incorporated aesthetics, messaging and functionality, with a project focused on developing a brand identity for a fictional food truck. I led and moderated group critiques as students presented work to their peers for feedback.
As a result of the comprehensive camp experience, students discovered multiple design disciplines, design’s reach and impact, and how they could be a part of creating great experiences as a professional designer.
+ Developed the project curriculum for a one-day, collaborative graphic design experience (for five days)
+ Provided design process instruction and guidance
+ Led critiques that used peer discussion techniques to further each participant’s work
My graphic design curriculum incorporated aesthetics, messaging and functionality, with a project focused on developing a brand identity for a fictional food truck. I led and moderated group critiques as students presented work to their peers for feedback.
As a result of the comprehensive camp experience, students discovered multiple design disciplines, design’s reach and impact, and how they could be a part of creating great experiences as a professional designer.
July 2011
- July 2011
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Illinois State Organization, NSDAR
State Chair, Public Relations and Media
State-level Community Service Organization with 7,600 Members
Responsible for leading PR efforts and supporting 100+ chapter chairs. Established ILDAR’s first social media presence: planning, content development, branding, and implementation. Produced showcase video highlighting members’ service efforts under nearly 40 years of state executive leadership. Served for two consecutive two-year terms by appointment by the State Regent, Illinois State Organization, NSDAR.
Responsible for leading PR efforts and supporting 100+ chapter chairs. Established ILDAR’s first social media presence: planning, content development, branding, and implementation. Produced showcase video highlighting members’ service efforts under nearly 40 years of state executive leadership. Served for two consecutive two-year terms by appointment by the State Regent, Illinois State Organization, NSDAR.
July 2011
- June 2015
United States
BCN Communications
Senior Designer
Communications Agency
Brand identity, corporate communications, and investor / financial communications, working with clients’ internal Communications, Finance, and C-Suite departments. Clients included Canadian National Railway (CN), The May Department Stores Company, SIRVA, Motorola, HNI Corporation, Chazen Museum of Art, Morgan Stanley.
Brand identity, corporate communications, and investor / financial communications, working with clients’ internal Communications, Finance, and C-Suite departments. Clients included Canadian National Railway (CN), The May Department Stores Company, SIRVA, Motorola, HNI Corporation, Chazen Museum of Art, Morgan Stanley.
October 1999
- October 2006
Illinois, United States
SeatonCorp
Designer
$500+M Outsourcing and Recruiting Company
Branding, corporate communications, employee communications and recruitment collateral for this entrepreneurial company and two subsidiaries, Staff Management (on-site contingent staffing) and PeopleScout (call center); reported to CEO. Developed creative for recruitment advertising campaigns resulting in thousands of hires. Redesigned the Design Department’s roll-out process for new Staff Management locations, resulting in better adherence to brand standards, increased efficiency, and improved internal customer service. Managed design production staff and participated in hiring to ensure good culture fit. Clients included Sears, M&M Mars, Federal Mogul.
Branding, corporate communications, employee communications and recruitment collateral for this entrepreneurial company and two subsidiaries, Staff Management (on-site contingent staffing) and PeopleScout (call center); reported to CEO. Developed creative for recruitment advertising campaigns resulting in thousands of hires. Redesigned the Design Department’s roll-out process for new Staff Management locations, resulting in better adherence to brand standards, increased efficiency, and improved internal customer service. Managed design production staff and participated in hiring to ensure good culture fit. Clients included Sears, M&M Mars, Federal Mogul.
1998
- 1999
Illinois, United States
Otherwise Incorporated
Designer
Creative Agency
Designed corporate communications, investor communications, and point-of-purchase collateral for national brands. Clients included Midas, Johnson Tables, First Alert, Lycée Français de Chicago.
Designed corporate communications, investor communications, and point-of-purchase collateral for national brands. Clients included Midas, Johnson Tables, First Alert, Lycée Français de Chicago.
1996
- 1998
Illinois, United States
Education
North Carolina State University
Bachelor of Environmental Design / Magna Cum Laude
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Skills
Brand Experience,
Branding,
Corporate Communications,
Digital,
Environmental Design,
Experience Design,
Internal Communications,
Online,
Print,
Social Media,