Personal Statement

The main focus of my work is utilizing an explosive approach with an effortless feel. I am an industry experienced veteran and have had vast opportunities in the industry to work with many noteworthy clients including Universal Music Group, Nike, Hurley, Capcom, Under Armour, Adidas, Quicksilver, Impact Wrestling, Kohl's, Nautica, NCAA, VF Imagewear, and Delta Apparel. I’ve worked outside the box as well as within, earning an eclectic approach that shows in my work. Bridging the creative spark with today’s nostalgic gap I design with the viewer or buyer in mind and ask, “What’s their story?”

Where I Have Been

JAYTEEAYE: Behind the Moniker

The Big Band Theory

For as long as I can remember, music has always played a huge role in my life. I hear music as audio design; always on point and timeless. Starting in my teenage years I began to pay more attention to the visual aspects of the music industry and was fascinated by album artwork, logo design, posters, merchandise, and anything you could purchase that was band-related. All of my school folders were becoming covered in a mosaic of rock and roll logos, and my destiny you could say was starting to take shape. I picked up a guitar and eventually started playing in my own bands discovering along the way that everything media-related the band needed, I had to create. I taught myself the ins and outs of computer graphics and had decided that this was what I wanted to study.

Visual Evolution

After college, my career has been filled with many variations of the design machine. I continue to educate myself on new techniques, trends, & philosophies that enable my skills to evolve with the marketplace. I've enjoyed working within contemporary guidelines as well as with infinite creative freedoms. Ultimately the client has a vision for their project and it's my job to communicate that in the best possible manner for both the client and their intended audience.

Professional Experience

Jayteeaye • Orlando, Florida

Freelance Design & Art Development Consulting • February 2006 - Present

Provide apparel design and development with a focus on licensed and private label apparel. I have a strong focus on licensed music merchandise with vintage flair and tribute techniques.

Madd Merch / P3 • Lexington, Kentucky / Orlando, Florida

Creative Director • February 2019 - Present

A full-service producer of private label and custom goods tailored for the music festival markets. As Creative Director it’s my role to make sure all artwork is being produced to each client’s branding and specifications. Key clients include Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Shaky Knees, Shaky Beats, Voodoo Festival, & Austin City Food & Wine Festival.

• Established art department guidelines for branding, proofing, & production art separations.

• Produced in-depth production paperwork to assist in screen print production to meet the level of a large-scale manufacturer.

• Work closely with production to ensure the product meets client criteria and art department guidelines are met.

BACKSTAGE MERCH • Lexington, Kentucky

Founder/CEO • May 2018 - February 2019

Founder and operating CEO of BSM, a contract and custom screen printing company in Lexington, Kentucky. We specialized in high quality and attention to detail printing for retail partners and collegiate affiliates. Certified and licensed producer of NCAA® Collegiate apparel through the CLC. My production staff produced on average 2,500 prints per shift thus allowing us to achieve the fastest turnaround in the region.

Wildcat Wearhouse / Hire A Printer • Lexington, Kentucky

Art Director (WW) • November 2015 - December 2016 | Creative / Operations Director (HAP) • December 2016 - April 2018 | Director of Product Development (WW) • April 2018 - June 2018

Wildcat Wearhouse at its peak had 23 retail locations across the state of Kentucky. My role as a member of the upper management team was to produce unique and authentic licensed NCAA school merchandise in compliance with CLC & Fermata regulations. I worked closely with our in-house production department to produce high-quality apparel items that compared to the offerings of our national brand competitors. Hire A Printer, a sister company of Wildcat Wearhouse was a quick turn contract screen printer with a primary focus on NCAA Licensed merchandise and hot market production for events such as Final Four®, Frozen Four®, The Kentucky Derby®, College Football Playoffs®, & Conference championship games (SEC, AAC, ACC, PAC12, BigTen, Big12, C-USA, & MAC).

• Established art department guidelines and training materials to streamline in-house apparel creation and production.

• Curated and established style guides for a variety of in-house apparel lines under the Wildcat Wearhouse brand while directing art staff in the creation of new products.

• Worked closely with our Purchasing and Marketing departments on the needs of each location in relation to specific geographical retail needs.

• Managed & Directed all departments of HAP. Handled scheduling, production (5,000 prints per shift), art direction, HR & payroll assistance, quality control, & logistics.

• An essential component of HAP’s Executive team.

   

New Life Industries • Somerset, Kentucky

Graphic Designer, Marketing Team • March 2015 - October 2015

NLI, a conglomerate of four individual companies in different markets where I was a key member of an in-house Marketing Team. Handled designs and layouts for email, social media, and direct mailing campaigns. Offered critical insight in company strategy for launching new products and studying projections with existing campaigns.

• Managed and curated branding associated with marketing materials attached to each company.

• Produced new original apparel designs as well as artwork separations experience.

Delta Apparel • Concord, North Carolina

Art Developer • December 2012 - February 2015

Provide specialized screen printing and garment production for international sportswear clientele. Managed several customer accounts, including: Under Armour, Legendary Whitetails, & Margaritaville. Handled day-to-day operations of art development, sampling, and production approvals.

• Worked with our Product Development team to ensure fabric knits, color matches, and print qualities were up to Under Armour standards during our acquisition of UA’s graphic apparel business for the Spring & Summer 2015 season through Spring & Summer 2016. Held on-site development retreats in Central America between Delta and Under Armour staff.

• Assisted in the development of artwork protocol for Nike NFL graphic apparel to expedite pre-production strikes and approvals while adhering to confidentiality during Nike rebranding of several key NFL teams.

Zoom! Apparel & Printing • Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Senior Graphic Designer • February 2011 - December 2012

Printing company specializing in screen printed and embroidered apparel as well as signs, vehicle graphics, promotional items, web design, and printed media. I was responsible for the creation of all designs, including typography, visual concept, layout, and identity for all jobs. Communicate and coordinate with production press operators to ensure that the visual design communicates the desired message of the product.

• Established new Art Department guidelines and forms to reduce the possibility of mistakes during production.

• Streamlined workflow between the art department and the client.

TSI Sportswear • Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Separation Artist • March 2010 - January 2011

Imprinted, embroidered, and appliquéd sportswear company specializing in collegiate, trend, wildlife, Americana, national event holidays, and fashion apparel. I worked alongside our in-house designers to separate client artwork while providing technical insight for screen printing techniques and embellishment specific to each program.

• Produced new Art Department guidelines concerning Underlay percentages, & Distressing to streamline the collegiate separation process.

• Worked closely with Kohl’s design team to produce samples for upcoming programs including Sonoma Misses, young men’s trend, boys Americana, and Juniors. Handled initial separations and printing techniques.

• Produced licensed NCAA merchandise graphic content for use in e-commerce and print materials.

Delta Apparel • Concord, North Carolina

Graphic Designer / Separation Artist • January 2006 - March 2010

Provide specialized screen printing and garment production for international sportswear clientele to include: Nike, Adidas, Hurley, Quiksilver, Nautica, Oakley, and Columbia. Handled the separation of client artwork, ink decisions, screen printing techniques, and graphic placements specific to each style.

• Primary Art Department contact for Nike Men’s & Women’s Divisions. November 2006 - August 2007

• Primary Art Department artist attached to web and print marketing projects from Delta Apparel's main office located in Duluth, Georgia.

• Involved in numerous research and developmental projects to showcase new art, ink, and printing techniques.