+15702626417

kratznick@yahoo.com

Art Director / Graphic Designer / Production Artist

Welcome

Introduction

I am a highly skilled and versatile Production Designer with extensive experience in art direction, production design, and art licensing across consumer products, seasonal goods, and retail packaging industries. Adept at managing end-to-end creative processes—from concept development to prepress production—while ensuring alignment with brand strategy, market trends, and manufacturing standards. Proven leadership in mentoring design teams, optimizing workflows, and collaborating with domestic and international vendors.

PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW

a brief rundown of portfolio items and the examples they include

Marketing

A comprehensive guide to my time in advertising. This section contains my story while creating full page ads, brochure layouts and packaging designs.

Licensed Artwork

Freelance and art licensing played a key role in my career trajectory. The Licensed Artwork section describes my time working independently and creating artwork from scratch.

Gallery

This section contains images only. This is the most detailed view of my portfolio and has no backstory.

Testimonials

During my career journey, I’ve met some amazing people. These are their kind comments regarding my abilities and personality.

Production

This section explains my role as a production artist. The items show the attention to detail required while performing these duties. Items with barcodes, have multiple layers each with a unique product number and upc.

Marketing

My career journey began at Unigraphic Color Corporation and Ideaworks Marketing. While working as a production artist at Unigraphic, I learned every aspect of print production. I created everything from brochures to catalogs, using customer provided notes and descriptions. Occasionally I would work on the web press and with the plate making department to help with production shortfalls.


Eventually I was promoted to senior production artist, for Ideaworks Marketing. At the time, the owner of Unigraphic also owned a percentage of Ideaworks. This made it easy to transition to and from each company. While working at Ideaworks, I was in charge of all Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins print items. This included a weekly newspaper, posters and even specialty Jerseys for the holidays.

After taking a break from agency work, I began working in the social expressions industry. A few years passed and I missed the fast turn-a-round workflow of the agency, so I went on to do some freelance work for Endless Mountain Solar. Here I learned about direct mail pieces and fitting quite a bit of information into a small area. Eventually I decided to try art licensing and go deeper into the design world.


Working in marketing provided me with a vast knowledge of “the business.” I was able to understand how everyone functioned as a team. Having the knowledge of how sales worked, using key commands to shave a little time or how my project went through so many stages before being printed, gave me a solid foundation for my future.

Licensing Artwork

The next step in my development was to “do this on my own.” This, of course, lead me to freelance and licensing artwork. The freelance portion of this adventure falls mainly on the production page. However, the licensing portion can be found here.
 It took me a few years to find “my look” and the correct art vendor. The 5 years working this way was very challenging, but also very rewarding. I became aware of my abilities and learned how to push myself past my comfort zone. Learning to communicate with clients, regarding their needs and wants, became another lesson I never knew I needed. Adding an image to a file or changing a font was my everyday life, up until this point. Now I had to better understand the client’s very specific demands. I had to make sure I was on target from the very start. It was not feasible to redo a whole scene or to create a few versions for the client to have choices.

This time in my career was extremely beneficial to my character building. I now understood what artists go through on a daily basis, when licensing artwork. I learned how my “minor adjustments” could cause an artist to redo a whole piece. This working knowledge between artist and client helped me to become a more compassionate and understanding art director.

Production

I have been a production artist for most of my career. From my time in advertising to my most recent position with DG Americas, production has played an important role in my life. The accuracy, speed and finding solutions almost daily has always been a comfort for me.

My first “big break” was as a print production artist at Unigraphic Color Corp. My days were filled with type setting and catalog layouts. I eventually received a promotion to senior production artist for Ideaworks Marketing. This position allowed for more design while still having me utilize my skills learned while working for Unigraphic. This eventually led to me winning an ADDY Award for a Sodexho recipe card kit.

Once I left Ideaworks, I started my new path with Paper Magic Group. I started as a Production Artist. Over the years I worked my way up to New Product Development Designer. This position allowed for more creativity while still using my production skills to help keep projects on track. I eventually won a LOUIE Award for a card I had developed. I learned a great deal while working under my department Art Director. This inspired me to become an Art Director, myself, and help tutor new artist just starting their journeys.

My Art Director role began at Gemstone Printing, later changing to Triland Corp. I was in charge of purchasing artwork, balance the design selection, researching last year sell-throughs, instructing my in-house staff of artist and freelancers and working with my staff in Shanghai, China. Each year we would create a standard line of 900 cards, as well as 200 gift bags and gift boxes, wrap and tissue paper. We also did specialty designs to fit our client’s needs. I loved working with new artists watching them grow as professionals.

Skills

  • Art Direction & Graphic Design
  • Prepress & Production File Creation
  • Market Research & Product Development
  • Workflow Optimization
  • Digital Illustration
  • Project Management
  • Vendor & Client Relations
  • Presentation-Ready Mockups

Strengths

  • Technically proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat)
  • Well-versed in Procreate, producing detailed and dynamic illustrations for creative projects
  • Working knowledge of Figma, Adobe Workfront, Approval Studio and Microsoft Office
  • Classically trained fine artist with a strong foundation in drawing, painting,
    and color theory

aBOUT mE

Art Director / Graphic Designer / Production Artist / Licensed Artist

I’m Nick Kratz, an Art Director, Graphic Designer, Licensed Artist, and Production Artist. My artistic journey began in high school when I was placed into an art class, my senior year, when there was no opening for me in the photography class. This eventually lead to me winning a silver key award and having my painting “Poppy Fields” displayed at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington DC. This chain of events cause me to change my first choice in major, Astro Physics, to Graphic Design. (I’m a space and scifi nerd)

After completing my Graphic Design degree, I was accepted into the Waichulis School. (It is now known as the Ani Art Academy.) I was one of the original 4 students to be taught by Anthony. During this time I learned color theory and light interaction, while studying the techniques of the Old Masters. I have used this knowledge daily, throughout my career, in creating realistic digital prototypes, licensed artwork and graphics for consumers.

In my free time, I love being outdoors. A nice stroll with my grandson through the woods of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Finding mushrooms. Catching a glimpse of an animal. The sounds of nature. These are the foundations of my relaxing time. When it’s too late for being outside, I do enjoy a good Fantasy RPG on the computer. I love being with my family and doing things together. Sculpting, gardening, playing bass guitar and harmonica (not great at either, but not horrible. ok harmonica im a bit horrible.) are also part of my passions. I have a love for older rock music and find myself going down rabbit holes while looking into the various bands and how they are all intertwined. I thoroughly love spending time with my pets and rescuing stray cats. It’s hard giving them up, once they have a home, but it’s worth it in the end. I also donate my hair to charity, whenever it is long enough to do so.


Artwork

Production

Testimonials

Kind Words from Amazing People

Senior Art Director
DG Americas

“Thank you for going above and beyond with the tag project. You stuck with all of the nuances and helped us keep our sanity. Thank you so much for being such a fantastic team player!”

Appreciation Note

Senior Art Director
DG Americas

“Amazing job working through this project! We are SO thankful for you and your diligence, speed and passion. Thank you for what you do! We’re lucky to have you as part of this team!”

Appreciation Note

Production File Manager
DG Americas

“Nick is an extremely talented designer that can handle any project thrown his way. He demonstrates outstanding leadership skills and motivates the team around him with his terrific attitude and sense of humor. Nick’s encyclopedic knowledge of design programs and “tricks of the trade” makes him an indispensable resource to any design company.”

Senior Product Manager
DG Americas

“Amazing job with getting this project completed ahead of schedule! Great team work all around!”

Appreciation Note

Art Director
DG Americas

“Nick you have proven PIVOTAL in helping to keep this program moving, amongst several due date changes, from the buyer. Incredible communication, encouraging attitude, and attention to detail. Thank you for all of your extra efforts in ensuring our success, it is a pleasure to work with you!”

Communication Manager
Paper Magic Group

“Nick is one of the most creative people that I have encountered. He is not only talented in his creative vision, but he is a great communicator. He was extremely helpful and patient when teaching me the ins and outs of Creative Suite. I attribute many of the skills- both creative and social, that I took away from PMG to be credited to Nick.”

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About Me
Marketing
Licensing Artwork
Production
Gallery