Creative Leader | Educator | Branding Designer & Advertising Specialist | Artist
Phoenix, AZ linkedin.com/in/jaredtrask behance.net/jaredtrask [email protected] A brand system is a visual language. I design it, teach it, and paint with it.
A one-page snapshot of my work as a creative director and design educator.
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Design educator and creative strategist with 10+ years of experience building brand systems, advertising campaigns, and digital experiences across higher education and industry. Known for portfolio-driven instruction, curriculum development, and hands-on creative leadership spanning identity, web, email, social, print, and fine art.
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Grand Canyon University College of Arts and Media Phoenix, AZ + Nationwide 2019 - Present ****Adjunct Professor + Full-time Instructor
◪ Teach studio and lecture courses across advertising, graphic design, typography, UX/UI, web design, fine art, creative processes, and portfolio development.
◪ Design and revise curriculum aligned with industry standards; served as subject matter expert and peer reviewer for multiple degree programs.
◪ Built client-based learning: coached students through The Grand Collective album-cover brief from research and ideation to critique and stakeholder presentation.
◪ Faculty mentor to adjunct instructors (2020–2025) and advisor for student creative organizations (Mural Club, Creative Herd).
◪ Committee service: Faculty Research Advisory Board (Research Development Subcommittee) and Faculty Advisory Board.
Jared Trask Design & Marketing Phoenix, AZ + Nationwide 2013 - Present ****Owner / Creative Director (Freelance Studio)
◪ Lead branding, digital advertising, web, paid media and content production for clients across tourism, real estate, events, health/wellness, and the arts. ◪ Produce high-volume email and digital campaigns, including 10–30 property email blasts per week for Homesearch.com plus banners and print assets. ◪ Deliver end-to-end design: discovery, creative direction, identity systems, production-ready layouts, and launch support.
CoolEvents Phoenix, AZ + Nationwide 2016 - 2018 ****Director of Brand Development & Operations + Marketing Manager
◪ Directed brand development and multi-channel marketing for nationwide experiential race events; led a cross-functional creative team.
◪ Built brand systems and campaign assets across web, email, social, and print for Blacklight Run, Foam Glow, Bubble Run, Terrain Race, and Glow Wars.
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Master of Business Administration Marketing 2010 ****University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
Bachelor of Science Mass Communications + Commercial Arts 2008 ****Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD
Certification Social Media Marketing Professional 2011 ****Direct Marketing Association, New York City, NY
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Multimedia Marketing Manager Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau 2008 - 2012 Rapid City, SD
Social Media Manager Village Health Clubs & Spas 2012 - 2012 Scottsdale, AZ
Emergency Veterinary Assistant Animal Clinic of Rapid City 2006 - 2007 Rapid City, SD
Graphic Designer ATP Flight School 2013 - 2014 Mesa, AZ
IT Tourism Adjunct Professor National American University 2009 - 2010 Rapid City, SD
DJ, Audio Editor + Marketing Specialist Hits 102.7 + KBHU The Buzz 2004- 2008 Rapid City, SD + Spearfish, SD
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“Systems-first brand design that scales across channels, backed by concept, craft, and clarity.”
“Studio critique, portfolio-driven learning, and real-world workflows that build confident, employable designers.”
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◩ Brand identity and visual systems
◩ Art direction and concept development
◩ Advertising and campaign design
◩ UX/UI and web design
◩ Email marketing and content design
◩ Typography and layout composition
◩ Photography, videography, post-production
◩ Fine art (acrylic painting), figure drawing, and murals
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◩ Studio critique facilitation and mentorship
◩ Portfolio development and career readiness
◩ Project-based learning and client briefs
◩ Curriculum design, assessment, and rubrics
◩ Hybrid, online, and in-person instruction
◩ Faculty mentoring and interdisciplinary collaboration
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◩ Adobe Creative Cloud: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, XD, Premiere Pro, Dimension, Acrobat, Express
◩ Adobe Captivate; audio/video production basics
◩ WordPress, Wix, HTML, CSS, basic JavaScript
◩ Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
◩ Learning management systems
◩ Project management systems
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Featured Faculty Voice on Arts Education GCU Today Blog 2025
GCU Teaching Showcase Award Center for Innovation & Research 2022
Web 2.0 Tools & Project-Based Learning GCU CIRT Teaching Showcase Conference Presentation 2022
Featured Artist Shemer Art Center 2019
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