I am a creative director, designer, illustrator and writer living and working in the Hudson Valley of upstate New York with my wife and two children. I enjoy the endless possibilities of a blank canvas, whether that be a clean, white sheet of paper or a blank screen on my Mac. I believe that communication should be clean, concise and beautiful. I believe that the best two-word combination is “what if”, and I believe that as long as I am passionate about the concept of communication I will continue to evolve as a professional.
I also believe that cranberry sauce should never be included in any kind of sandwich; important events such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc. should be recognized with an actual hand-written note that is mailed in a nice envelope; listening is better than talking; and that getting lost, in whatever circumstance, is an important step to gaining new knowledge.
Contact
Email: jelesperance at yahoo dot com
Twitter: at JeffLesperance1
Pinterest: jeff22213
EXPERIENCE
Assistant Director of Creative (12.17 — Present)
Senior Designer (1.07 — 12.17)
Adjunct Instructor (1.07 — 6.14)
State University of New York at New Paltz
New Paltz, NY
- Responsible for art direction, messaging, brand management, copywriting, proofreading, and overall visual ID and concept development of all things “New Paltz” across print, digital and social media platforms.
- Provide creative leadership at the college for a broad spectrum of clients ranging from the president’s office, alumni relations, international programs, and various external ad agencies, production companies and professional photographers.
- Determine client objectives and coordinate teams to create collateral.
- Provide concept and strategy solutions for internal and external communications and international audiences.
- Assist with the design and development of new and existing web pages, eblasts, interactive illustrations, and coordinated email campaigns.
- Art direct New Paltz Magazine and photo shoots for recruitment and marketing.
- Open-minded, patient and invariably hip teacher of a portfolio-building class designed for junior and senior graphic design and visual arts students, and a visual language class geared to mid-level art students.
Senior Designer & Illustrator
Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Center for Business Innovation (CBI)
Boston, MA (8.01 — 1.03)
- Creative lead for an international think-tank in Cambridge, MA with a global client list and a budget that would make any designer drool.
Senior Designer & Graphics Coordinator
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
Watertown, MA (10.99 — 8.01)
- Senior member of a hard-hat-wearing design team focused on promoting the exceptional framework of talent at a major architectural/engineering firm just outside Boston.
SPECIALTIES
Art direction, marketing, design, illustration, writing, copywriting, branding, production coordination and oversight, website design, content strategy, team leadership and photography.
MEMBERSHIPS
University and College Designers Association (UCDA)
State University of New York Council for University Advancement (SUNYCUAD)
AIGA
AWARDS
UCDA (Awards of Excellence)
2023: Digital Admissions Campaign: “Come As You Are”
2021: JFT Lobby Environmental Graphics
2016: Admissions Viewbook; Admissions Package
2015: “Dick Polich: Transforming Metal into Art”; The Dorsky Museum, Exhibition Catalogue
2012: Recruitment Publication/Viewbook; SUNY New Paltz Integrated Campaign
2011: The Dorsky Museum logo
2010: Admissions Recruitment, Table Piece
2009: The Dorsky Museum, Exhibition Catalogue
SUNYCUAD (Best of Category)
2022: Student Recruitment: Interactive LookBook; Multi-Page Publications: Interactive LookBook
2020: New Paltz Magazine website for mobile
2019: Admissions Viewbook; New Paltz Magazine website
2018: New Paltz Magazine website
2017: “Carl Walters and Woodstock Ceramic Arts”, The Dorsky Museum, Exhibition Catalogue
2016: Admissions Viewbook; Admissions Microsite; and Admissions Package
2014: Strategic Marketing Campaign
2013: MFA Poster
2012: Student Recruitment Publications (Packages)
2010: Fine & Performing Arts Calendar; “Blood Wedding” poster; Admissions Search/Table Piece
2008: Welcome Center Kiosk Panels; Fine & Performing Arts Calendar
The Greater Hudson Heritage Network (Awards for Excellence)
2016: “Jervis McEntee: Painter-Poet of the Hudson River School”