Sybil Rhodes   415.509.1052   sybil.rhodes@icloud.com

Senior level director creating unique, compelling integrated visual experiences for retail and brands 

Professional Highlights

Enterprise-wide Brand & Creative Services lead for Proterra, a leading EV technology and manufacturer

Creative lead for multi-million dollar Microsoft Retail Store account, developing an integrated retail unit for Swirl 

Creative Director on award winning motion graphic advertising accounts for Walmart, Costco and Target

Developed eco strategy and increased brand awareness via digital for Smith & Hawken

Creative direction for interactive gift centers and microsites

Developed brand experience strategy for Borders enterprise-wide Rewards program both online and print

Creative Brand Director for two nationally marketed interactive products

2015-2023 Head of Brand and Creative Services PROTERRA Burlingame, CA

Accomplishments:

• Creative direction and Brand Steward for Silicon Valley EV tech company

• Full company rebrand

• Development of business unit brands

• Managed brand visualization for 4 facilities

Responsibilities:

• Brand management and creative direction for enterprise and business unit needs including HR, facilities and executive

• Liaison to agencies, vendors, internal clients

• Trade show/Expo, print, digital, video, motion, interior/exterior branding

2014   Creative Director           HERO       San Francisco, CA 

• Hands on design and direction for growing marketing and advertising agency

• Liaison to agencies, vendors, internal clients

• Print, broadcast and digital for Men’s Wearhouse, PLS, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental

2014  Contract Creative Director           Stitch Fix       San Francisco, CA

• Direction of creative for email, online experience and loyalty program

• Directed new loyalty program design and production

• Liaison to agencies, vendors

• Team building consultant

 2012-13   Associate Creative Director           Swirl Integrated Marketing     San Francisco, CA 

Accomplishments:

• Direction of creative for in-store, digital, outbound and experiences for the Microsoft Retail Stores

• Lead creative for the Windows 8 and Surface launch in fall 2012

• Built creative team from ground up for the Microsoft account

• Developed and managed creative team for company’s largest account

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with group account director to develop strategy and present creative

• Develop in-store standards and guidelines that align with larger Microsoft brand

• Developed and managed an integrative in-store retail team encompassing inbound, digital, outbound, experience and social

2010-2012  Creative Director, Creative Group Services    Premier Retail Networks (now IZ•ON media)    San Francisco, CA

Accomplishments:

• Creative group leadership for multi-platform motion design for advertising and retailer programming

• Lead creative for holographic advertising for RiteAid

• Lead creative efforts that won Sam’s Club account work

Responsibilities:

• Lead design and animation development 

• Standards guidelines creation and maintenance, brand positioning and programming strategy

• Assessing group creative process, resources 

2009-2010  Creative Consultant      Wells Fargo     San Francisco, California 

• Brand standard development and design for enterprise wide marketing materials

Responsibilities:

• Project scope, management, direction and production

• Liaison to internal groups and advisory committee

2008-2009  Design Director    Smith & Hawken     Novato, California 

Accomplishments:

• Direction of creative brand development, management of multi-channel brand strategy, integration and execution

• Re-evaluation of digital media, website, email and TV spots

• Redevelopment of brand standards and process, streamlining workflow

Responsibilities:

• Direction of photography for all catalogs, packaging and in store creative and voice

• Creative direction of full calendar of catalogs, seasonal/promotional campaigns, advertising (ROP, magazine, affiliate),
  extensive packaging program, email generation and site development, as well as microsites and special features

• Brand steward, image evangelist and experience strategist

2000-2006 Creative Director, Manager of Brand Integration and Design   Borders Group     Ann Arbor, Michigan

Accomplishments:

• Brand strategy and development, creative direction and management of online, print, in-store, advertising, enterprise-wide 

  programs and initiatives for Fortune 500 retailer

• Lead brand experience and creative on highly successful Rewards program

• Created award winning package for Airport/transportation program 

• Brand leader for holiday initiatives including William Wegman photoshoot, Robert Sabuda store set

Responsibilities:

• Strategic brand experience direction and leadership of all print, seasonal/promotional signage and window sets, cafe signage and packaging, advertising (ROP, magazine), catalogs and publications, direct mail , email marketing, online presences (including store kiosks, web sites, and internal user applications) for company Brands

• Extensive lifestyle and food photography direction and approvals

• Strategic brand experience development for all Borders entities including Borders Cafes, Borders and Waldenbooks stores, Borders Express, Day by Day Calendars and Game Stop

• Brand guidance and stewardship (style guides, brand books, look books)

1997-2000  Assistant Professor of Visual Communication      Northern Arizona University     Flagstaff, Arizona

Accomplishments:

• developed student design studio

• instituted speaker series, drawing real world design talent from across the country

Responsibilities:

• drove curriculum development and restructuring, specialty in interactive media design

• involved in recommending, writing grants for, and obtaining state of the art technologies

• faculty advisor to the AIGA student group

B.F.A. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

M.F.A. Savannah College of Art & Design 

Malcolm Curtis Propes Fellow, Savannah College of Art & Design, Highest monetary fellowship given to graduate students 

National Zoo, Washington, DC, Office of Design & Exhibit Planning, Design Internship 

Certificate- Usability/Human Factors International