Krista Volenski Wilcox

Let's Work Together

Creative Director specializing in 360º brand strategy and design leadership for print, web, and mobile products.

I would love to connect
kristavwilcox@gmail.com ❖ 626.319.9590

Krista Volenski Wilcox in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2021.

After two decades in design, I've come to realize that all design is about the overall brand user experience.

I specialize in brand redesigns, product launches, and startups in the lifestyle, media, and non-profit industries.

I'm passionate about leading design teams in crafting branding, marketing, digital, and print products into memorable and accessible experiences.

I strongly believe user research-based design is the future and it's always part of my creative process. Together we will find the balance between your business goals and your customer's needs.

Are you ready to step your brand up to the next level? Yes? I can help with that.

Reach out today so we can start defining your company's overall creative direction.

Krista

"I've always been a team player.
I love to mentor and I believe designers work better as a team.
We generate better ideas when we can bounce them off stakeholders, content creators, and engineers."

360º Strategy + UX + Art Direction =
Design Unicorn

I have designed, built, and overseen brand design systems that were used across print and digital platforms. I've collaborated with developers to craft complex custom digital products and I have built small business sites on a host of different low-code programs.

My prime focus is strategy, branding, and creative direction utilizing UX. When at ArtCenter College of Design, I learned that user experience is a designer's responsibility, it is part of effective storytelling. I've always designed for the customer.

Top Skills

Sketches for Tely's in-store retail customer service app.

DESIGN
1. UX & UI
2. Branding & Identity
3. Design Systems
4. Typography
5. Art Direction
6. Storytelling and Storyboarding
7. Wireframes (Lo-Fi & Hi-Fi)
8. Graphic Design
9. Sketching
10. Iconography

MANAGEMENT
1. Design Team Leader
2. Project Management
3. Hits Budget & Business Goals
4. Big Picture Design Thinker
5. Mentor for Junior Designers
6. Collaborative Problem Solver
7. Empathy for Users & Teammates
8. Socially Outgoing and Friendly
9. Big Picture and Detail Driven
10. Skilled Communicator

RESEARCH
1. Website & App Evaluation
2. Competitor Evaluation
3. User Research & Testing
4. Usability Testing
5. Data Analysis

TOOLS
1. Adobe CC (XD, ID, PS, IL, AE)
2. Figma
3. Balsamiq
4. Pen & Paper
5. HTML/CSS (Basic)
6. Miro
7. SquareSpace
8. Webflow
9. Google Suite
10. UserTesting.com

Education

I've had a lifelong love affair with design and I prioritize continuously learning new skills and tools to help me stay current and to improve as a designer and creative leader. I added a BS in UX research and design in 2022.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

ArtCenter
College of Design
Pasadena, CA
2001-2004

BS in DESIGN FOR
USER EXPERIENCE

Lesley University
College of Art & Design
Cambridge, MA
2018-2022

Career Timeline

I have been an award-winning media and lifestyle brand art director and designer for two decades. I began my graphic design career in print media, and I had the opportunity to design my first website in 2001. Over the last 20+ years, my skill set has evolved to include 360º creative strategy, branding, user experience, and design leadership.

I've worked in California, New York, Tennessee, and Nevada. I've had the opportunity to art direct and design print and digital projects for five top media companies, Condé Nast, Hearst, Rodale, Time Inc, Gannett, non-profits, the arts, and small businesses. I know that my experience of working with stakeholders for over 20 years in content design is a critical asset to me when developing new brand experiences.

One last look?

Are you interested in working together?

I would love to hear from you!