In a world of shortcuts... demand excellence!
With nearly two decades of award-winning brand design and creative leadership expertise, I’ve been creating meaningful design with meaningful brands within agency, freelance, and in-house capacities over the course of my career.
Meaningful brand design to me is about function in addition to form. It communicates an idea, solves a problem, and requires strong conceptualization and strategic thought to work. Design simply for design's sake is called "art." Design must serve a purpose and have a strong concept to accomplish a goal, that goes well beyond a pretty picture or a prompt. And the implementation of this design, along with good storytelling and longevity, is what creates a great brand. For the entirety of my career, I've dedicated myself to finding the sweet spot where creativity and strategy meet, which is my definition of good design. This is what gives real meaning to the work.
"In a world of shortcuts, demand excellence." I've heard it said that fast and easy is the low-hanging fruit that causes work to blend into everything else being created. "Fast" "Cheap" "Easy" are not words synonymous with design.
Video clip courtesy of Fraternale Films
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PRESS, PUBLICATIONS
& AWARDS
Digital Press
The Dieline
World Brand Design Society
Hudson Valley Magazine
Packaging of the World
Wix.com
Cotton Bureau
Teepublic
Lovely Package
Print Publications & Books
GDUSA
HOW Design
Branders Magazine
SendPoints Publishing- Retro Graphics
Awards
Craft Beer Marketing Awards (5)
HOW Design Awards (5)
GDUSA Awards (11)
- American Graphic Design Awards
- American Package Design Awards
- Health & Wellness Design Award
- Cannabis Graphics Industry Award
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)
2025
SUNY New Paltz
"Design Lab" guest speaker
2024
Craft Beer Marketing Awards
2024
GDUSA Magazine
61th Print Design Survey issue;
Commentary in: "Is Print Important in Your Professional Life?"
2024
SUNY New Paltz
Design Week's "Slide Slam" guest speaker
2024
AIGA UPSTNY
Emerging Designers’ portfolio reviewer
2023
GDUSA Magazine
60th Print Design Survey issue;
Commentary in: "Is Print Important in Your Professional Life?"
2021
GDUSA Magazine
58th Print Design Survey issue;
Commentary in: "Designers Debate the State of Post-Pandemic Print"
2019
The Quickie Podcast for Designers
2019
Branders Magazine
Issue #12 Article: "Creativity + Strategy in Packaging: A Perfect Pair"
2015/2016
The Pursuit Collective Magazine
Brand Design reviewer &
"Monthly Spread" articles writer
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THE JOURNEY
Thank God It's Monday
Owner + Creative Lead (self);
2008 - present
On Location / FIFA
Sr Brand Designer- FIFA World Cup 26;
2025 - present
Rabe & Birch
Design Director; 2019 - 2025
FAI Design Group
Designer; 2015 - 2018
Safari Sundays
Freelance Designer- PepsiCo; 2015
Original Skateboards
Art Director; 2013 - 2015
H2M Beverages
Senior Designer; 2010 - 2013
Agency Partners
Dada Design Studio
FAI Design Group
On Location
Pr%f Agency
Pepsico Design & Innovation
Rabe & Birch
Red Tettemer + Partners
TBA
Safari Sundays
Skies Fall Media
Streetlight Studios
Volum8
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WHAT I DO
Creative
Art Direction
Brand Design
Visual Identity
Packaging
Web & Digital
Product & Apparel Graphics
Strategy
Brand Strategy
Discovery
Naming
Positioning
Architecture
Rebranding
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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- BEAM SUNTORY / PR%F
"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.