Meghan Elizabeth Miller

A highly strategic and collaborative associate design director with a proven track record of success in developing robust, cohesive visual identities that successfully translate across all aspects of a brand. Draws upon exceptional interpersonal skills while working with diverse audiences and international partners. Thrives in fast-paced environments, utilizing excellent project management and organizational skills to ensure strict adherence to global deadlines across a variety of time zones. Unravels seemingly insurmountable challenges and delivers winning solutions. Identifies, builds, and leverages the individual strengths of team members to optimize deliverables. Serves as a visionary team leader who skillfully blends design and strategy to craft compelling visuals that convey a brand’s story while securing its place at the forefront of an industry.

I specialize in:

New Business ▪ Visual identity ▪ Brand management ▪ Strategic design ▪ Art direction ▪ Creative direction ▪ Brand guidelines ▪ Project management ▪ Presentation design ▪ Photoshoots ▪ Digital asset management ▪ Campaign design / production ▪ Annual report design ▪ Brand research ▪ International team leadership ▪ Mentorship

Grant Thornton Chicago, IL

Senior Creative Associate, 2017-2021

Develop, manage, and grow Grant Thornton’s award-winning global visual identity through strategic design.

Increased traffic to career pages 46% and reduced bounce rate 34% by spearheading creative direction of new employer brand; led US and Bangalore teams to create new visual system based on parent brand; leveraged brand research to craft energetic and diverse visuals targeted at Gen Z; social media recruitment campaign represented 18% of all posts and drove 45% of all impressions and engagements; campaign video generated 3K views; launch earned Marcom Gold award 2020.

Developed employer brand recruitment campaign targeted to students at historically Black colleges; campaign expected to exceed goal by 57%; received 314 applicants (50 accepted); utilized Discord social media platform to connect students with GT employees and offer career consultation and earned a gold Muse Award in 2021.

Saved Grant Thornton International $80K by redesigning brand architecture in-house, which improved visual consistency; researched best practices and successful brand guidelines to establish cohesive internal and external brand strategy; developed guidelines around sub-brands and created templates for various brand logos; maintain oversight of new visual identity projects and facilitate compliance calls.

Improved visual consistency by redesigning brand architecture; researched best practices and successful brand guidelines to establish cohesive internal and external brand strategy; developed guidelines around sub-brands and created templates for various brand logos; maintain oversight of new visual identity projects and facilitate compliance calls.

Partnered with outside agency and communications department to art-direct award-winning 2019 annual report; produced photoshoot featuring staff onsite at Chicago office; collaborated with print vendor to press-check printed copy; report earned Platinum Ava Digital Award, Platinum dotCOMM Award, and Gold Hermes Creative Award.

Art-directed 2020 annual report emphasizing diversity, inclusion, and resiliency; produced photoshoot, created shot list, and selected diverse team members to serve as models; utilized in-house photographer to reduce need for stock photographs and outside photographer.

Improved efficiency 68% and facilitated brand consistency for 9K employees by implementing branded Microsoft Ribbon tool connected to digital asset management system, enabling all US employees instant access to templates.

Manage team in Bangalore responsible for digital asset management system; lead team to facilitate visual identity projects and digitize guidelines.

Ensured brand consistency across multifaceted internal golf championship campaign; partnered with campaign team, agency of record, and sponsorship team to create look and feel for hospitality events, chalets, ads, booklets, and social media posts.

Created and implemented creative team’s current project management system to ensure adherence to deadlines.

Facilitated TV shoot for Grant Thornton’s national advertising campaign.

Collaborate with cross-departmental teams, including employer brand, communications, digital, social, in-house designers, and overall brand team.

Mentor team members on performance, goals, and professional growth targets.

Energy BBDO Chicago, IL

Presentation Designer, 2015-2017

Developed digital and physical presentations for new business, including Grub Hub, American Airlines, Land O’ Lakes, Ziplock, Tropicana, Blue Apron, Kerry Gold, and The Chicago Bears; created experiential new business pitches, including books, immersive room installations with custom wallpapers, multimedia decks, interactive PDFs, and large-format boards.

Acted as interim lead of presentation department; established tone and pace for new business pitches; hired and trained junior designer; facilitated hiring process for new lead position; delegated projects and oversaw freelancers.

Collaborated with creative director on Bayer and SC Johnson’s Holiday Family campaigns; contributed to full line of product shots reflecting updated packaging; worked closely with photographers and retoucher to refine images.

Branded all aspects of internal campaigns and agency events, including logos, invitations, menus, and posters.

Rebranded company’s onboarding materials, utilizing cinemagraphs and bold type to modernize visuals.

BBDO
New York, NY

Graphic Designer, 2011-2014

Contributed to every facet of presentation design in partnership with art director and creative director.

Created successful brand workout of Mountain Dew; designed boards showcasing company history, brand research, and demographics, organizing client’s informational visuals to help set tone for future campaigns.

Conceptualized materials for branded workouts, including posters, books, and leave-behinds for clients such as Mountain Dew, Mars, and CVS.

Leveraged brand guidelines to design presentations and deliverables; conceptualized new look and feel for prospective and existing clients.

Developed comprehensive layouts for clients such as Gillette, Starbucks, Exxon, Bank of America, Mars, and Visa.

Conceptualized and designed successful internal poster campaign as part of BBDO training materials.

Served as creative lead on presentation for Gillette executive team at Cannes.