Rafael is available for hire
Hire RafaelRafael Castello
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Location
New York, NY, United States
Toptal Member Since
May 24, 2017
Rafael is a design leader with over 15 years of experience, working in New York for Pentagram, Droga5, BBDO, and Dentsu. His design practice is often informed by the most relevant art, media, and tech innovations; his aesthetic is minimalist, engaging, and playful. Rafael has designed for Fortune 500 brands such as Aesop, Chobani, Diet Coke, J&J, Oral-B, and Under Armour. He holds degrees from leading institutions in Europe and the United States.
Portfolio
Work Experience
Creative Director
2010 - PRESENT
Those Who Play
- Designed user experiences, brand designs, patterns, icons, and typography; led concept ideation; and conducted visual research for clients.
- Researched and designed visual direction for established brands, including creative messaging, design, audience engagement, and affordance.
- Led ideation and execution efforts for social media campaigns, games, digital platforms, print materials, and products for Fortune 500 companies.
- Defined launch and communication strategies for new products for Fortune 500 companies in the US market.
Technologies: Adobe Experience Design (XD), Web UX, Web UI, Campaign Design, Design Strategy, Graphic Design, Social Media Campaigns, Websites, Responsive, Website Redesign, Sketch, Adobe CC, UI Components, Webflow, Squarespace, Shopify Plus, InVision, WordPress, Design Direction, Unity3D, Cinema 4D, Games, Mobile Game Design, Art Direction, Product Design, UX Design, Branding, eCommerce, Design Systems, Adobe Creative Suite, Visual Design, Design Thinking, UI Design, Mobile Game UI, 3D Design, Web App UI
Associate Creative Director
2019 - 2019
Saatchi & Saatchi New York
- Played a key role in the relaunch of the Oral-B website (oralb.com).
- Provided creative direction and consulted on the direction for images in all markets.
- Created component libraries for all aspects of the relaunch.
Technologies: Adobe Experience Design (XD), Web UX, Web UI, Campaign Design, Design Strategy, Graphic Design, Social Media Campaigns, Websites, Responsive, Website Redesign, Branding, Sketch, Adobe CC, UI Components, Client Management, Vendor Selection, Visual Component Library (VCL), Visual Research, Art Direction, Design Systems, CGI, Design Thinking, UI Design
Art Director - Design Lead
2015 - 2015
360i (Dentsu) New York
- Designed and launched an online platform for Toyota's Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC).
- Designed and oversaw the production for the Toyota Mobility Foundation.
- Managed relationships and daily rapport with development and production teams.
Technologies: Adobe Experience Design (XD), Web UX, Web UI, Campaign Design, Design Strategy, Graphic Design, Social Media Campaigns, Websites, Responsive, Website Redesign, Adobe CC, UI Components, User Interface (UI), Banner Campaigns, Social Media, Research, Images, Sketch, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Branding, Adobe Creative Suite, Design Thinking, UI Design
Creative
2013 - 2014
Droga5 New York
- Contributed to the launch of an eCommerce platform and social media visual guidelines for Chobani in the US.
- Designed and launched a site campaign for Under Armour.
- Created and launched a campaign for Diet Coke in the US.
Technologies: Web UX, Web UI, Campaign Design, Design Strategy, Graphic Design, Social Media Campaigns, Websites, Responsive, Website Redesign, Branding, Sketch, Adobe CC, UI Components, Website CMS, WordPress, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite, Design Thinking, UI Design
Senior Art Director
2013 - 2013
McGarryBowen New York
- Launched a global online advertising campaign for United Airlines.
- Played a key role in creating new business proposals that ultimately helped the agency win two new clients.
- Managed daily work and mentored a team of four writers and designers.
Technologies: Web UX, Web UI, Campaign Design, Design Strategy, Graphic Design, Social Media Campaigns, Websites, Responsive, Website Redesign, Sketch, Adobe CC, UI Components, Market Research, Testimonial Videos, Research, Strategy, Content Strategy, Marketing, Ad Campaigns, Adobe, Art Direction, Adobe Creative Suite, UI Design
Senior Art Director
2012 - 2013
BBDO
- Concepted and designed digital campaigns for AT&T, including email marketing, banners, microsites, and social media platform messages.
- Created digital campaigns for the Pepsi Super Bowl sponsorship event.
- Played a key role in new business development efforts for the agency.
Technologies: Web UX, Web UI, Campaign Design, Design Strategy, Graphic Design, Websites, Responsive, Website Redesign, Adobe CC, UI Components, Fortune Global 500, Microsites, Banner Campaigns, Social Media Campaigns, User Experience (UX), Adobe Creative Suite, UI Design
Senior Art Director
2009 - 2010
Adrenalina (MDC Partners) New York
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team and translated creative concepts into digital media.
- Concepted, designed, executed, and presented projects and played a key role in design services for three new business clients.
- Identified a new market opportunity, developed the launch strategy, and led execution for a new, specialized agency in mobile media for Hispanic communities.
Technologies: Web UX, Web UI, Campaign Design, Design Strategy, Graphic Design, Social Media Campaigns, Websites, Responsive, Website Redesign, Adobe CC, UI Components, New Business Development, User Experience (UX), Mobile Apps, Social Media, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, UI Design
Designer
2007 - 2008
The 7th Art Group New York
- Developed material explorations for packaging and collaterals for real estate developers and luxury brands in the US and UAE.
- Designed and produced press ads, brand proposals, and high-end brochures.
- Designed presentations, website, and point of purchase solutions.
- Worked with clients including The Renwick, Mandarin Oriental, Isla Moda, and The Plaza residences.
Technologies: Web UX, Web UI, Campaign Design, Design Strategy, Graphic Design, Websites, Responsive, Website Redesign, Adobe CC, Visual Identity, Luxury Goods, Branding, Print Production, Package Design, Editorial Design, Production, Ad Campaigns, Adobe Creative Suite
Art Director
2004 - 2005
SCPF (JWT) Barcelona
- Conceptualized ideas and researched visual references for global television and print ad campaigns.
- Participated in projects for Vodafone, Diageo Brands, BMW Auto, and others.
- Assisted with photoshoots to ensure alignment with client and brand needs.
Technologies: Web UX, Design Strategy, Graphic Design, Websites, Website Redesign, Adobe CC, Writing & Editing, Culture Hacking, Pop Culture, Film & Television, Visual Research, Adobe Photoshop
Education
2006 - 2008
Master of Science Degree in Communication Design
Pratt Institute - New York, NY, United States
1999 - 2005
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Advertising, Journalism, and Commercial Communication
University of Navarra - Pamplona, Spain
Certifications
JANUARY 2016 - PRESENT
Unity3D
PlayCrafting NY
JANUARY 2014 - PRESENT
Product Management
General Assembly
Experience
Collaboration That Works
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