Steven Lee
Associate Creative Director | Art Director | DM Guru
stevehlee2022@gmail.com
213.840.8818
Steven Lee
Associate Creative Director | Art Director | DM Guru
stevehlee2022@gmail.com
213.840.8818
In the realm of direct response, direct mail is a specialized craft. To be successful, you need to understand the dynamics of features like the Johnson Box, TFN, Tap test, Sidebar and CTA. The latter part of my career has been spent honing and building expertise in direct mail, incorporating the industry’s best practices as they evolve. I’m also well versed at leveraging all the disciplines of digital, social and email marketing, with a focus on Mobile-First.
Growing from agency to agency, I’ve been fortunate to gain skills and experience on a variety of accounts; specializing in Automotive, Finance, Healthcare, Medicare and Telecommunications.
I’m an awarding-winning Art Director with a keen eye for the details, as well as a hands-on Creative Lead. I’ve successfully managed teams of up to eight creatives and studio artists working on multiple accounts. My teams and I have produced projects for our clients in all manner of media including broadcast and OOH. One of the aspects I’m most proud of, is that I’ve supported and mentored my creative teams to produce their best work and advance their careers. Nurturing studio artists to become art directors. And enabled account executives to successfully collaborate with and give effective feedback to the creative teams.
EXPERIENCE
Kern Agency | Associate Creative Director
2007 – 1/2024
AAA, ADT, American Express, AT&T, Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona,
Blue Cross Idaho, DIRECTV, Discover Card, Group Health, HBO, Premera Blue Cross, Showtime, Union Bank
Glyphix | Senior Art Director
2004 – 2007
21st Century Insurance, Los Angeles Medical Associates
Y&R | Freelance Senior Art Director
2001 – 2004
Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Sony
Mosaic | Creative Director
1999 – 2001
Al’s Garden Art, Autism Alliance, Bristol Farms Food Market, Encino State Bank, Thousand Oaks Auto Mall
G2 (Grey New York) | Senior Art Director
1995 – 1999
Mitsubishi
Jordan, McGrath, Case & Taylor | Associate Creative Director
1994 – 1995
Nestle Butterfinger, Nestle Crunch
Backer Spielvogel Bates | Senior Art Director
1992 – 1994
Hyundai, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Malaysia Airlines
Davis Ball Colombatto | Senior Art Director
1990 – 1991
Knott’s Berry Farm, LA Convention & Visitors Bureau, McDonald’s, Ralph’s Supermarket, Southern California Toyota Dealers
Dailey & Associates | Art Director
1988 – 1990
ArmorAll, Bartles & Jaymes, California State Lottery, Gallo Wines,
Honda Motorcycles, Neutrogena Haircare, Rain Dance
EDUCATION
Utah State University
Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising & Design, with a focus on creative arts.
Carson Roberts Creative Course
Taught by 10 top LA Creative Directors. 15 Art Directors and 15 Copywriters were selected based on their portfolios. 10 weekly assignments were given to the 15 Creative Teams to work on and then present to the Creative Director.
RECOGNITION
Cannes Lion Award
Edison Award
London International Award
New York Festivals Award
Telly Award
Featured in:
Adweek
Lürzer’s Archive
SKILLS
Adobe Acrobat • Adobe Illustrator • Adobe InDesign • Adobe Photoshop • Adobe Workfront • Adobe XD • Microsoft Outlook • Microsoft Power Point • Microsoft Word
360 Campaign • Art Direction • Attention to Details • Branding and Messaging Consistency • Clean Layout Design • Client Presentation • Color Proofing • Concept Development • Content Strategy • Creative Direction • Creative Team Management • Deadline-Oriented • Digital Design • Digital Printing • Direct Mail • Inline Printing • Mentoring • Offset Printing • Organizational • Photography Direction • Press Check Approval • Print Production • Problem Solver • Project Coordination • Release Files • Storyboarding • Team Leadership • Typography • Variable Data Printing