Skills:
• Design Direction, Art Direction & Design Leadership
• Design Systems & Visual Identity Development
• Design System Scaling & Automation
• Brand Guidelines Creation and Usage
• Generative AI & LLM Tools
• Multi-Resolution Asset Creation.
• Integrated Campaign Development
(Digital, Social, Print, OOH)
• Packaging & Shopper Experience Design
• Experiential & Environmental Design
• Stakeholder & Executive Presentations
• Brand Design Strategy, Positioning & Brief Development
Clients:
Wieden+Kennedy
Kachka Restaurant Group
Made You Look Toy Store
With over 17 years of design leadership, I bridge the gap between high-craft advertising and robust in-house design systems. I specialize in stewarding Master Brand visual identities, directing integrated campaigns, and empowering cross-functional teams to connect art, technology, and human emotion.
Whether mentoring a multidisciplinary team or getting hands-on with production, my focus is on operationalizing creative excellence. I have a proven history of guiding work from initial concept to global rollout, resulting in industry-defining, award-winning campaigns recognized by Cannes Lions, the CLIOs, Communication Arts, and Graphis.
hello.karenkoch@gmail.com
EXPERIENCE
Wieden+Kennedy (Portland) 2008-Present
Current Accounts: Lilly - A Medicine Company
Previous Accounts: Expedia Group, Lord Jones, Happy Dance, Travel Portland, EA (Electronic Arts), Coke, Facebook, Herbal Essences, Laika, Levis, Nike, Oregon State University, Oreo, Samsung, Secret, Target, HomePartners, Kachka Restaurant Group, ...
Sidekick Design - freelance work and side business 2006-2008
Clients: The Ace Hotel, One Percent Productions, Waiting Room Lounge, AIGA Omaha, NE, multiple bands/concert venues
Work: poster design, branding, logo design, wedding invite design
Webster Design and Associates Senior Graphic Designer 2003-2008
Clients: ConAgra Foods, Make-A-Wish Nebraska
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Global Brand Rollouts: Led the strategic restructuring and internal brand architecture for Lilly's global ecosystem and 150th Anniversary identity.
Cannes Lions: Silver Integrated Lion & Silver Cyber Lion (Laika - Coraline);
Bronze Lion (EA Dante’s Inferno).
CLIO Awards: Silver (EA Dante’s Inferno Integrated Campaign).
Industry Recognition: Published in Communication Arts Design Annual, Print Magazine Regional Design Annual, and Graphis Design Gold.
EDUCATION
University of Nebraska at Kearney 1998-2003 Visual Communications and Design BFA
Richmond, The American International University in London Aug 2000-Dec 2000
Studied oil painting at The School of the Art Institute in Chicago - Summer 1998