Resume

CARA DUNNING

Art Director  ·  CPG & Brand  ·  Photography  ·  Visual Systems

caradunning@gmail.com   |   847-651-4325   |   caradunningcreative.com   |   Nashville, TN (open to remote & relocation)

PROFILE

Art Director with over 15 years of creating brands that truly connect, from the shelf to the scroll, deeply invested in listening and turning solid process into work that actually lands. I live for that sweet spot where strategy meets imagination and pride myself on delivering original ideas that fit the brief, but stand out. My illustration background gives every project a distinct, personal edge that isn't possible with cookie-cutter solutions. I am dedicated to mentoring teams, helping each person bring out their best work inside a clear, supportive framework. Whether I'm sketching concepts, developing a campaign, or producing a photo shoot, my focus is always on helping brands say more and connect better with their consumer.

EXPERIENCE

Associate Art Director  ·  pH-D Feminine Health · Vireo Systems Mar 2023 to Present

6 CPG brands · Retail + DTC · $90M manufacturer

  • Lead creative for six brands with retail and digital presence at Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon.

  • Turn complex briefs into meaningful visual systems and campaigns, including packaging, product detail pages, A-plus content, display graphics, and trade show collateral.

  • Designed and launched an in-house photo studio in Nashville, adding speed and creative range to content output while supporting a full brand refresh.

  • Plan and oversee all phases of photo production: build moodboards, shape visual direction, source and manage photographers, and keep everything on track to deliver assets on time and within budget.

  • Developed an e-commerce thumbnail and storytelling approach that drove 20% year-over-year growth for national supplement brands.

  • Built Creaboost, a new brand within the company, from its logo and visual identity to packaging and all launch materials.

  • Built out the creative team's workflow, including SOPs, asset management, and project intake with marketing and product, so the creative process stays smooth.

  • Present creative strategy directly to executive leadership and manage productive feedback cycles across overlapping projects.

  • Mentor junior designers, helping them grow and keep the bar high for every team deliverable.

Freelance Illustrator & Designer  ·  Independent Jun 2012 to Mar 2023

National & regional clients · CPG, entertainment, consumer brands

  • Crafted brand identities, custom illustrations, and packaging for clients like Bosch, Allstate, and Stella Artois.

  • Built illustration and brand systems for entertainment properties such as Miss Jamie's Farm and The Preacher's Kid, helping animate and bring stories to new audiences.

  • Illustrated children's books and created pitch material for animated series development.

  • Produced live illustration at major brand events, generating real-time social content and engaging audiences on the spot.

SKILLS & EXPERTISE

Creative Problem Solving:  Structure clear frameworks out of briefs that invite originality, not just box-checking.

Art Direction:  Photography, campaign development, brand systems, packaging, and e-commerce creative.

Illustration:  Digital and hand drawn, ranging from concept icons to storytelling and animation-ready systems.

Visual Storytelling:  Bring out a brand's true personality in every project and touchpoint.

Cross-Team Leadership:  Mentor designers, collaborate with marketing, and streamline workflow so creativity thrives.

Toolset:  Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, After Effects), Figma, Canva, Asana, Trello, Frontify, and modern AI tools for concepting and moodboarding.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Art Direction Certification  ·  ELVTR  ·  Creative leadership, brand storytelling, campaign development. Taught by CD & Senior Copywriter, Leo Burnett

Fine Arts  ·  University of South Florida, Tampa FL

More about me

Who I Am

I’m genuinely, relentlessly curious about the lives people have actually lived—the messy backstories, the weird moments, the stuff that ends up shaping us all. There’s nothing I enjoy more than cutting through small talk and finding what’s real, whether I’m sketching, writing, or guiding a brand through a new chapter.

I think you can get to the heart of a person (or a brand) in about three seconds if you know where to look and aren’t afraid to just ask. That’s my favorite trick: skip the surface, spot the patterns, and always go for the honest, unpolished version—because that’s the stuff people remember.

How I Work

Give me a tangled brief and I’ll map out a clear path. I love structure, but I’m here for the creative detours that make something feel alive. I translate what people say (and don’t say) into work that feels intentional but never stiff, using process as a launchpad—not a cage. I’m big on running towards the “real why,” and I care way more about what connects than what sounds good in a meeting.

Outside Work

Music, art, true crime podcasts, and a semi-embarrassing obsession with vacuum cleaners. (I will ask about yours.)
I gravitate toward things that mix humor and humanity, and can usually spot the absurd side of just about anything—including myself.