Rory McGuigan
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
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
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.
Creative Director
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.
Art Director
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.
Lead Designer
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.
Junior Designer
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.
Education
Master's Degree in Visual Communication
Birmingham Institute of Art & Design - Birmingham, UK
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Degree in Graphic Design
University of East London - London, UK
Diploma in Art & Design
Southern Regional College - Newry, Ireland
Skills
Tools
InDesign CC, Illustrator CC, Sketch 3, Photoshop CC, Adobe CC, Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Creative Suite
Platforms
SharePoint
Industry Expertise
Real Estate, Restaurants & Dining
Other
Art Direction, UI Design, UX Design, Mobile App Design, Print Design, Illustration, Branding, User Interface (UI), Wireframing, Responsive UI, Award-winning, User Experience (UX), Brand Identity, Logo Design, Outdoor Design, Billboard Design, Interaction Design (IxD), Outdoor Advertising, Out-of-home (OOH) Advertising, Ad Campaigns, Ad Design, FMCG, CD Album Design, Vinyl Design, Album Artwork, Cartoon Character Design, Wall Art, Typography, CafePress, Brand Development, Style Guides, Consulting, Management Consulting, Office 365, Intranets, Responsive, Lifestyle, eCommerce, eCommerce UX, App UX, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), Amnesty International
Experience
Tools
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