Carter Watkins

Award winning Art Director, Graphic Designer, Artist, and Native Austinite. I have a background in print, apparel design, illustration, branding and identity systems. I have a deep understanding of Adobe Creative Suite. I work well as a general line artist- I make ordinary things unique, beautiful, memorable, impactful.

EXPERIENCE

Sr. Graphic Designer, MML Hospitality

February 2024- Present

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Graphic Designer, Bunkhouse

March 2022- February 2024

Graphic designer for the Marketing department at Bunkhouse Group. I design print collateral, products, apparel, and graphics for events for 11 different properties and 7 restaurants.

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Fine Artist / Graphic Design, Freelance

November 2018- Present

After an unexpected layoff from Grandex I decided to take a break from commercial art and focus on my beaded mosaic art side hustle. 2019 was a phenomenal and wildly productive year- I made enough money with bead art commissions to extend my creative pursuit another year. 2020 killed all professional momentum. Hopeful of a speedy recovery I continued to work and created over $100k worth of beaded sculptures that I intend to sell over the course of my life as an extra income.

  • Created 56 original micro-mosaic beaded sculptures-

    • Biggest project: Shakey Graves Red Rocks beaded guitar and concert poster design. The guitar was Auctioned off for $30,000 all proceeds went to support MymusicRX a music program of The Child Cancer Association.

    • Solo show during East Austin Studio Tour 2019. Also participated in the 2020 Virtual Austin Studio Tour.

    • Featured in Texas Monthly’s ‘On Texas Time’

    • Featured in Austin Monthly 2019 ‘Makers Issue’

    • Designed a new bead art website and Online store (www.hcwatkinsart.com) 

    • Gallery Reception at Austin Creative Art Center...2 weeks before lockdown.

    • In 2022 I became a Michaels Stores Influencer and was featured in a Michaels commercial.

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Grandex Media, Austin — Art Director

April 2014 - November 2018

Grandex was composed of four content sites and two apparel brands. All important graphic needs for the company were sent to me.  I oversaw a team of 3-5 designers.

  • Head designer and creative force behind Rowdy Gentleman- Grandex’s in-house apparel brand (2016-2018). Sold online and through more than 300 retailers nationwide.

    • Head apparel designer- concepted, illustrated and executed designs for Hats, T-shirts, swim trunks, Hawaiians.

    • Lead RG rebranding in 2016, Updated logo, packaging, branding.

    • Designed seasonal design language, trade show assets, line books and retailer displays for 6 Seasons

    • Planned, produced, and photographed lifestyle photoshoots for marketing campaigns.

  • Designed successful pitch decks for RFPs.

  • Mentored design staff by teaching them how to streamline their design processes. I gave technical and aesthetic critique. I gave feedback on how to improve design quality and collaborated with them on projects so they could see how I work.

  • Designed logos and identity systems for Grandex’s podcasts, content sites, and social media accounts.

  • Painted 2 murals inside the office.

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Free Speech Systems, Austin — Art Director

Feb 2011 - July 2014

I deeply regret working here. I did not apply to work for this place, I responded to a craigslist job post, a couple days later I had my first salaried position doing the job I loved doing.

  • Designed and produced the monthly magazine- production of 20k monthly.

    • designed editorial art and infographics for the stories

    • created the layout for the magazine

  • Designed merchandise for the online shop

  • Designed web campaigns

  • I learned Maxon Cinema 4D and made 3D/motion graphics for the video production team.

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Shoehorn Design, Austin — Production Designer

2010-2011

Worked under the creative guidance of Scott Stricker.

  • Technical production work for Dell Printer user manuals

  • Designed the ‘Texas Passport’

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Freelance, Austin —

2007-

I started freelancing on Craigslist as a means of learning how to become a Graphic Designer, I needed to build a portfolio. I freelanced independently for two years and worked on hundreds of projects for people all over the country.

  • University of Texas Center for Women In Law- Designed Gala Invitations, Programs, and other event collateral.

  • Eric Johnson (ongoing)- Designed merchandise for three Eric Johnson Tours. Posters, t-shirts, and event credentials.

  • Jardine Foods (2009)- Designed promotional materials, labels, and product packaging.

  • Homeaway (2014)- Designed Infographic for Homeaway’s 1 Millionth listing milestone.

EDUCATION

Arizona State University, Tempe

2005 - 2007

Studied Architecture and Environmental Design.

Austin Community College, Austin

2007 - 2009



The Austin Creative Department, Austin

2011

I was in the frist class of students at the GSD&M Austin Creative Department. It was a creative communications class lead by Will Chau- Global Creative Director, Whole Foods Market.

University of Texas Architecture Summer Academy, Austin

Summer 2008

On the last day  of the academy there is a closing reception and “Book Award” ceremony.  Each professor picks a student from their group who showed promise and stood out in some way.  I won the book award in my group. It was a proud moment for me.

CV

PRESS

 
 

Questions, Comments, Collaborations, Commission Inquiries.