Educator | Creative Leader | Branding Designer & Advertising Specialist | Artist
Phoenix, AZ linkedin.com/in/jaredtrask behance.net/jaredtrask [email protected] [email protected] ****A brand system is a visual language. I design it, teach it, and paint with it.
A detailed academic record of appointments, courses taught, program development, scholarship, and service.
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I am a designer, educator, and creative strategist working at the intersection of brand systems, visual communication, and creative pedagogy. My career blends professional brand development, digital advertising, and fine art practice with higher-education teaching, curriculum development, and mentorship. I specialize in building scalable visual systems, guiding portfolio-driven learning, and translating industry expectations into accessible, real-world classroom experiences. My work emphasizes clarity, intention, experimentation, and creative confidence.
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My teaching centers on curiosity, structure, and application. Strong creative work emerges when students are supported with clear frameworks and processes while being encouraged to question conventions and take thoughtful risks.
◪ Hands-on learning through project-based assignments that mirror real-world workflows
◪ Strategic thinking that connects concept, audience, and execution
◪ Creative experimentation using rapid visualization and mixed media
◪ Career readiness through portfolio development, critique literacy, and professional communication
◪ Collaboration in studio-style environments reflecting industry dynamics
◪ Technology fluency grounded in Adobe Creative Cloud and current digital practices
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Phoenix, AZ | Online + On-Campus
Adjunct Professor, Digital Design & Advertising | Aug 2025 – Present
Full-time Instructor, Digital Design & Advertising | May 2019 – Aug 2025
◪ Teach undergraduate courses across graphic design, advertising, creative processes, typography, UX/UI, and web design. ◪ Design and revise curriculum aligned with industry standards and evolving technologies. ◪ Mentor students through complex design projects and portfolio development. ◪ Serve on faculty committees and advise student organizations.
Rapid City, SD
Adjunct Professor (Tourism) | 2010 – 2011
◪ Recruited by the Academic Dean to develop curriculum for two newly introduced Tourism-major courses. ◪ Designed and taught IT Applications for Tourism and Destination Tourism. ◪ Earned strong student satisfaction evaluations.
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Traditional, online, and hybrid. Detailed term-by-term history available upon request.
◪ ADV 110 — Fundamentals of Advertising ◪ ADV 350 — Digital Advertising Communication
◪ ADV 355 — Image Creation ◪ ADV 456 — Design Studio 2
◪ DDN 110 — Design Fundamentals ◪ DDN 125 — Layout and Composition ◪ DDN 200 — Creative Processes ◪ DDN 205 — Figure Drawing ◪ DDN 210 — Designing with Type ◪ DDN 255 — Interface Design 2: Web Design ◪ DDN 276 — Portfolio 1
◪ DDN 350 — Web Design 2 ◪ DDN 400 — Business for the Design Professional ◪ DDN 405 — Design Professionalism ◪ DDN 475 — Advanced Design Practicum ◪ DDN 476 — Portfolio 2 ◪ DSM 475 — Social Media Capstone
◪ IT Applications for Tourism
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Subject Matter Expert, Peer Reviewer, Planning Strategist
◪ Bachelor’s in Advertising and Graphic Design: degree and course development ◪ Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Design (Web Design Emphasis): degree and course development ◪ Bachelor’s in Digital Design (Animation Emphasis): degree and course development ◪ Bachelor’s in Social Media Design: degree and course development
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Faculty Mentor to Adjunct Instructors
2020–2025
◪ Provided classroom guidance, observation support, and instructional mentorship.
Committee Service
2020–2026
◪ GCU Faculty Research Advisory Board ◪ Research Development Subcommittee ◪ GCU Faculty Advisory Board
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◪ Faculty Advisor, GCU Mural Club
◪ Faculty Advisor, GCU Creative Herd
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◪ Web 2.0 Tools & Project-Based Learning — Presentation at GCU Online Teaching Conference / Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching (CIRT) Showcase (2022)
◪ Honest Creativity (Craig Detweiler) — Book — Acknowledged for leading student artists in producing chapter artwork
◪ GCU News Feature — Recognition for student-driven public art and collaborative creative projects
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Owner / Creative Specialist
Jul 2013 – Present
◪ Brand identity, digital design, advertising strategy, creative direction, campaign development, and client consultation.
Director of Brand Development & Operations
Jul 2016 – Dec 2018
◪ Directed brand development and marketing for nationwide experiential race events.
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