Rory is available for hire
Hire RoryRory McGuigan
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Location
San Francisco, CA, United States
Toptal Member Since
March 22, 2017
Rory is a customer-obsessed design leader with deep experience building best-in-class teams that deliver exceptional work. Strategic and solutions-oriented, with a 20 year track record that exceeds expectations, Rory is a high-EQ, low-ego cross-functional leader adept at problem-solving and building strong relationships. He is willing to roll up sleeves every time to get it done.
Portfolio
Work Experience
Senior Creative Director
2017 - PRESENT
Intersection
- Led all creative efforts at this Alphabet-backed company. Reported to the CMO and served on her marketing leadership team. My role focused on ideation, strategy and planning, problem solving, optimization, and driving company-wide results.
- Built and led a successful national team of creatives, increasing impact year-over-year.
- Developed, designed, and maintained company-wide creative operations and standards.
- Launched new brands and consumer-facing products across multiple platforms, driving alignment and efficiency, setting expectations, and delivering to a deadline.
- Partnered cross-functionally with other senior leaders on company-wide strategic initiatives.
- Elevated and enriched company brands, leveraging innovative strategy and ideation skills.
- Directed the company’s LinkNYC brand, with 76% of consumers now stopping to observe content on the product after a brand refresh: an increase of 40% in 12 months.
- Coached and mentored wider creative staff, cultivating culture and values.
Technologies: Sketch, Adobe CC
Creative Director
2012 - 2017
Paper Zebra
- Founded and operated a design, UX and creative consultation company. Clients included Booz Allen Hamilton, Domino Records, The World Bank, Amnesty International, Starbucks, The International Rescue Committee, Red Mango, and Gilead Sciences.
- Created award-winning multi-platform user interfaces and experiences.
- Developed brand identity, advertising, and marketing solutions for brands, agencies, and SMBs.
- Led internal and remote teams of designers, developers, editors, and project managers.
- Managed portfolio of global clients, regularly pitching and presenting to executive stakeholders.
- Led brainstorming sessions that fostered team collaboration and produced innovative solutions.
Technologies: Sketch, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
Art Director
2010 - 2012
PML Group
- Headed design at industry-leading out-of-home and digital advertising company. Clients included Kellogg’s, Diageo, Nestlé, L’Oréal, and Kraft.
- Led cross-functional partners in ideation and development of top-tier marketing solutions.
- Managed and developed company brand identities and marketing campaigns.
- Managed a creative team, projects, and processes.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite
Lead Designer
2006 - 2008
oOh!Media
- Designed graphics for an industry-leading Australian advertising agency. Clients included: Nokia, Subway, Lexus, Panasonic, and Telstra.
- Directed all creative services, managing contractors and freelance talent.
- Oversaw agency-wide brand identity, developing internal brands and creating all external promotional materials.
- Supervised copy and video production, gave presentations, and directed all commercial photography.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite
Junior Designer
2005 - 2005
CleverCherry
- Collaborated closely with the creative team on a range of web and print-based marketing projects, focusing on UX for entertainment industry clients.
- Developed creative materials for web, advertising, infographics, brochures, and presentations.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite
Education
2004 - 2005
Master's Degree in Visual Communication
Birmingham Institute of Art & Design - Birmingham, UK
2001 - 2004
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Degree in Graphic Design
University of East London - London, UK
2000 - 2001
Diploma in Art & Design
Southern Regional College - Newry, Ireland
Experience
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Collaboration That Works
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