IN A WORLD FULL OF SHORTCUTS... DEMAND EXCELLENCE.
Hey there! I’m Craig Valentino and I’ve been working professionally in the world of design since 2008. Yep... that basically means at face value, people pay me to make things look pretty... but then hopefully realize that there are years of expertise, knowledge and purpose packed into their brand which paves the way to strong and cohesive visual communication that helps them be successful.
Thank God It’s Monday is my portfolio of work and the name I design under independently. I’m currently the Senior Designer at a killer agency in Beacon NY called Rabe & Co. and this is where I spend my days. If you're looking to partner with a full team of talented creatives and thinkers, contact us there.
Design to me is about communication, problem-solving and strategy just as much as it's about being creative and making something look good. It needs a concept behind it in order to accomplish a specific goal. For that reason, I believe in "creativity with purpose," where I constantly strive to find the balance between design and strategy. I enjoy creating meaningful design for meaningful brands of all shapes and sizes; whether it's helping build a small startup or adding additional value to a larger, well-established brand.
Video clip courtesy of Fraternale Films
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SELECT BRANDS
I'VE WORKED WITH:
Featured
Anheuser-Busch*
Beam Suntory
Bed Bath & Beyond*
Beekman 1802*
Buy Buy Baby*
Courvoisier
The Craft & Co.
Dainton Brewery
GoPro*
Grenade Gloves
Industrial Arts Brewing*
M&T Bank*
Maton Guitars
Macy's*
Mountain Dew
Original Skateboards
Pepsi
Pepsico Design & Innovation*
Puma
Red Robin
Saratoga Spring Water*
The Sharper Image*
Other Notable Brands
Allstar Innovations*
Aperitivo & Co*
Baxter Building Corp.
Breza Birch Water
Brodo Bone Broth
Cabin Creek Supply
Cappelletti*
Christmas Tree Shops*
Concrete & Clay Wine
Dicks Cottons/ShadesClub
Fit Social Studio
Gypsy Hub
Healthy™ Hemp*
Herbal Mist Teas
Heritage Food & Drink
Hudson River Hemp*
Kitchen & Coffee*
Kittatinny Valley State Park
LaGrange Farms at Overlook
Mill House Brewing Co.
Omni Bev Cold Brew Coffee
Ready Coffee*
Rocket Film*
Safari Sundays
Saveur*
Skies Fall Media
TJX Companies*
Volum8
Yarra Brewing Co.
Yonkers Brewing Co.
* Agency
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NOTABLE PRESS, PUBLICATIONS
& AWARDS
Digital Press
The Dieline
World Brand Design Society
Packaging of the World
Lovely Package
Froth Magazine
Wix's Inspiring Websites
Cotton Bureau
Teepublic- Editor's Pick
Print Publications & Books
GDUSA
HOW Design
Branders Magazine
"Retro Graphics" - SendPoints
Awards
HOW Design Awards (5)
GDUSA Awards (11)
Communicator Award
Hermes Creative Awards (24)
Marcom Awards (13)
IDA Design Award
Wix Stunning Web Award
Pepsico: Regional Dew Award
Favourite Design Awards (3)
Design & Design Awards (2)
Communitas Award
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TALKS & TYPES: SPEAKING + WRITING
GDUSA Magazine
June 2021- 58th Print Design Survey; Excerpt in: "Designers Debate the State of Post-Pandemic Print"
The Quickie Podcast for Designers
Branders Magazine
"Creativity + Strategy in Packaging: A Perfect Pair"
The Pursuit Collective Magazine
2015 / 2016- "Brand Design Reviews" &
"Monthly Spread" Articles
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WHERE I'VE BEEN
Thank God It's Monday
Principal Designer; 2008 - present
Rabe & Co.
Senior Designer; 2019 - present
FAI Design Group
Designer; 2015 - 2018
Safari Sundays
Freelance Designer; 2015
Original Skateboards
Art Director / Designer; 2013 - 2015
H2M Beverages
Senior Designer; 2010 - 2013
ColorPage (we don't speak of this)
Designer; 2009 - 2010
Straus
Designer; 2008 - 2009
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SUNY Cortland
BA- New Media Design; 2004 - 2008
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WHAT I DO
Visual Brand Identity
Packaging
Apparel & Product Graphics
Web & Digital
Illustration
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WHAT I'VE HEARD
"Craig is a talented packaging designer. Whether an assignment is simple or more complex, Craig provides innovative solutions and high-end comps to ensure tight presentations. I recommend working with him."
- BETH POSITANO- JIM BEAM BRANDS
"Investing in quality graphics is as good as any marketing campaign or sponsored athlete. There is a trove of creative (received) that I am very pleased with. Craig has been the first source I have been able to get A++ work from, so I'm grateful."
- THOM GRIDLEY- PUMA
"Craig is the man! He is imaginative, concise, professional and extremely easy to work with. We are extremely pleased to continue the partnership into the future."
- DAN DAINTON- DAINTON BREWERY
"WOW! What a pleasure it has been to work 1-on-1 with Craig at TGIM! Our idea went from vision to concept in such a short timeframe due to his attention to clear communication and planning. He certainly exceeded our expectations, and provided a number of high quality concepts for our new fitness studio. Brand recognition is so important to our business, and Craig certainly delivered more than we could have hoped for!"
- STEVE FARRIS- FIT SOCIAL STUDIO
“Craig was able to make our vision a reality. He listened closely, creatively executed each design with precision and professionalism, and always submitted his work before deadline. I would highly recommend Craig to anyone, I think his portfolio of work at Mill House Brewing Company speaks volumes.”
- JAMIE BISHOP- MILL HOUSE BREWING CO.
"When it comes to communication and working with clients, Craig is one of the best guys we have had the chance to work with. He has been extremely reliable, quick with projects, and always super easy to communicate with. With many creatives, it's hard to find someone with his caliber of talent who can also manage projects and stay on task."
- MARK KOCH- RIDE NATURE
"One of the most recommended traits Craig has mastered is interpretation of creative vision for a project. His ability to visualize design from inception and close with a premium finished project is by far my favorite attribute. With which is comparable to his timeliness, professionalism and phenomenal work."
- TJ EATON- SHADESCLUB / DICKS COTTONS
"TGIM / Craig exhibited excellence in every component of our branding design journey. Deadlines were met, communications were clear, and feedback was implemented with intentionality and care. Not only are we ecstatic with the outcome of the project, but we’re still impacted by the user friendly experience Craig provided. We only hope we can deliver same level of care and service to our own clientele. Resources and time well spent!"
- TYLER DAM- CABIN CREEK SUPPLY
"The end result was amazing. From the moment we first spoke he listened to what I was looking for but offered his professional insight as well. He was willing to make changes and edits and sometimes just go in a whole other direction - all without hesitation."
- JACKIE RUBBO- YONKERS BREWING CO.