Hire-Rita-Gunderson

About Rita Gunderson
Creatively driven yet strategic and logical. To be honest, I am most happy when I am creating. I am an ambitious human who loves to let my creativity lead each brainstorm while allowing each idea to foster more ideas. The quote by Scott Adams I love to hold myself to as a designer is "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Design is knowing which ones to keep." I thoroughly develop a creative concept/solution to every design challenge with the client's goal in mind, as well as keeping my design integrity. As the employee who earned the award, "I'll have that to you yesterday," working efficiently and diligently is how I'm hard-wired. I have the ability to push through pressure while managing multi projects and keeping a keen eye to detail.
Developing the best work, coupled with impeccable work ethic, is the only way I function. Anything less just isn't acceptable. I'm proud to say that I am able to mesh in with almost any design team, leading or following when necessary (and people say I'm genuinely kind, which I think it's pretty awesome). I continually yearn to grow as a designer, manager, and as an individual, always keeping the mission to share my creativity with the world.
Background
EXPERIENCE:
3marketeers Advertising, Inc.
Art Director | October 2017 - Present
- Lead all art direction, design, and every aspect of creative process.
- Manage a team of designers and programmers
- Design for the web and work directly with programmers to ensure art direction and user-ability is up-to-par
- Lead designer from concept to production.
- Continually elevate design standards and production flow.
- Conceptually bring new and fresh ideas to the team.
- CLIENTS: Google, Microsoft, Align, Sage Intacct, Chevron, Cognizant, etc.
3marketeers Advertising, Inc.
Associate Art Director | September 2014 - October 2017
- Assist the art director with all art direction, design, and every aspect of creative process.
- Lead designer from concept to production.
- Continually elevate design standards and production flow.
- Conceptually bring new and fresh ideas to the team.
- CLIENTS: Shell, Cisco, Align, Adaptive Insights, CompuCom, Salesforce, Zendesk, eTrigue, Panasas
HH Global for Google
Senior Designer and Art Director | February 2013 - August 2014
- Art director and design lead of a team of designers on-site at the Google Headquarters.
- Production manager for all print projects that run through our print management side.
- Implemented processes, trained design team on design basics and pre-press, manage and mentor design team.
- Earned two times the design business.
- Integral design direction in the launch of the Google Fiber brand.
- Clients: Google Fiber, Google My Business, Google SMB Americas, Google Shopping Express
Schipper Design+
Lead Designer | July 2006 - February 2013
- Lead designer for all things design: logos, stationery, advertisement and brand campaigns, web design, packaging, print collateral.
- Start from creative brief to pre-press checks at the vendor.
- Meet with clients and handle all advertising placements.
- Clients: Natividad Medical Center, Robson Homes, Red Blossom Farms, Lula's Chocolates, Artichoke Festival, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Winchester Mystery House, Chateau Julien Wine Estates, Pacific Plug and Liner
GAS Creative Group
Senior Designer II | August 2005 - September 2006
- Designed posters, handbills, T-shirts, promotional items, client-designer relationship development, process of quotes.
EDUCATION:
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design,
2002 - 2006/2007
Summa Cum Laude, Valedictorian
- Kappa Delta Sorority (Athletic and Scholar Chair, Panhellenic Executive Board)
- Associated Student, Inc.
- Golden Key Club
Alisal High School
1998 - 2002
Summa Cum Laude, Valedictorian
- Associated Student Body (Clubs and Organizations Chair, Senior Class Secretary)
- CSF Seal Bearer
- Scholar Athlete
- Softball and Volleyball teams
SKILLS:

DESIGN ACCOLADES:
Wedding Stationery Feature: 100 Layer Cake
Wedding Stationery Feature: Style Me Pretty
Wedding Stationery and Event Design Feature 2016: Make Me Married
Google Fiber Agency Partner Award 2013: First annual award given to only four individuals of the many design agencies whom work with Google Fiber. Specifically for initial brand development and launch.
Wedding Stationery Feature: Love and Lavendar
GD USA 2012: Excellence Awards for Emmaus House Event Collateral Design, Farmhouse Communications Logo, Red Blossom MORE Ad Campaign
GD USA 2010: Packaging Awards for B&R Farms 1 LB. Apricot Bag & Lula’s Chocolates Caramel Sauce Label
MarCom 2009: Gold Awards for Niche logo & Condor Classic Jersey. Platinum Award for Chateau Julien Wine Bottle Design & Santana Ranch Brochure
GD USA 2009: Excellence Awards for Clam Chowder Logo, Chateau Julien Wine Bottle Design, B&R Farms Packaging & Santana Ranch Brochure.
ACADEMIC AWARDS:
Julien McPhee Scholar (Valedictorian), Dean’s List at Cal Poly Pomona
Valedictorian & CSF Seal bearer at Alisal High School
SPORTS AWARDS:
MVP for Alisal High School volleyball (3 years), softball (1 year) and flag football (1 year)
- Second team Monterey Bay League for volleyball and softball