Žarko Kuvalja
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Žarko is an experienced designer who got his start in digital and advertising agencies. Today, he focuses on branding and promotional work, for which he'll use traditional and modern techniques. For example, he occasionally uses an old beat-up ruler on his monitor. Žarko's passion is finding the most elegant and humorous ways to communicate visually or verbally—ideally both.
Portfolio
Work Experience
One-man Studio Lead
žar co
- Started žar co, a one-person studio focused on branding I've successfully run since 2018. At that time, I worked on over 30 projects for small to large businesses, both local and international, and many of them through Toptal.
- Managed the production processes of most projects, such as sourcing local print shops, audio production studios, or project collaborators, on every project that required or allowed it.
- Worked with a Toptal client for so long that our first project was to design their first website, and our last project was a new and improved website that reflected how their business has changed in the five years that have passed.
Senior Graphic Designer
Lelo
- Designed and 3D rendered the concept of a live trade show space for Lelo.
- Created artwork and design for Lelo's online campaigns spanning website, social media, and newsletter marketing channels.
- Set the foundations of a brand and website relaunch of Foreo's Intimina brand.
Designer | Animator | Developer
McCann Zagreb
- Collaborated on setting the art direction, specifically the animation aspect, of a regional Coca-Cola campaign—Shake & Take. The campaign was tied to a mobile application, over which I later took over design responsibility.
- Acted as a one-person digital design and production team, and in that role, completed numerous static, animated, and interactive campaigns for Deutsche Telekom, MasterCard, Raiffeisen Bank, and several other regional brands.
- Served as both a digital, motion, and traditional designer on agency pitches for various brands such as Bipa, Studena, Croatian (Deutsche) Telekom, and Billa.
Designer | Developer
Proximity Zagreb
- Designed mobile applications for managing personal finances for the regional branch of American Express.
- Set the digital art direction for the global Staropramen beer websites. Designed prototypes and final designs and project-managed the site's development aspects.
- Collaborated with a regional branch of the BBDO advertising agency on digital campaigns for Adidas, the European Commission, Ožujsko beer, and the Croatian National Tourist Board.
Education
Specialist's Degree in Foreign Relations and Diplomacy
Dag Hammarskjöld University College of International Relations and Diplomacy - Zagreb, Croatia
Skills
Tools
Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop CC, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Fireworks, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Animate, Figma, Affinity Photo, Adobe InDesign, Sketch, GreenSock, Affinity Designer, Blender, Flash, Affinity Publisher, Adobe Experience Design (XD)
Languages
CSS, JavaScript, HTML
Platforms
Webflow, MacOS, Windows, Adobe Suite, YouTube, GreenSock Animation Platform (GSAP)
Industry Expertise
Advertising, Food & Beverage
Other
UX Prototyping, Image Retouching, Image Manipulation, Creative Strategy, Responsive Design, Identity Design, Identity, Front-end, Web UX, Logo Design, Visual Design, Motion Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Brand Design, Writing & Editing, Conceptualization, Graphic Design, Branding, Art Direction, Web Design, UX Design, UI Design, Concepting, Strategy, Visual Identity, Print, Creative Direction, Social Media Advertising, Social Media, Marketing Collateral Development, Motion Graphics, Video Ads, Social Media Design, Advertising Design, Email Design, Logotype, Logo Systems, Brand Identity, Corporate Identity, Marketing Design, Ad Campaigns, Brand Guidelines, Brand Books, Product Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), B2B, Print Design, Illustration, Motion & Animation Design, CPG, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Packaging, Windows 10, Animation, Modular, Compositing, Diplomacy, Project Management, Copywriting, Web Marketing, Lottie, Lettering, Brand Logos, Digital, Agency Websites, Agency, Digital Brand Identity, Creative Design, Design Direction, Storyboarding, Print Ads, Drawing, Digital Painting, Artwork, Monotone, Style Frames, Style Guides, Web Illustration, Creative Briefs, Startups, High-tech Startups, Brand Strategy, Promotion, Office 365, Adobe Premiere, Pinegrow, Project Budget Management
Experience
Tools
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