ABOUT

I turn complex ideas into clear, impactful visual systems.

I help organizations communicate what matters clearly, effectively, and with purpose.

I bring strategic thinking, creative leadership, and hands-on design execution to brands that need clarity, consistency, and impact.

AT A GLANCE

100%

Proven creative leadership across brand, digital, and experiential design

5

Industries spanning telecom, pharma, healthcare, packaging, and hospitality

End-to-End

Brand systems, digital, print, video, web, and environmental design

Too often, design is treated as surface-level execution instead of a strategic tool. The result is inconsistency, confusion, and missed opportunities.

I approach design differently, building systems that create clarity, alignment, and measurable impact.

MY STORY

Design that solves, not just decorates.

I’ve spent my career helping companies make complex ideas feel clear, human, and actionable. From global telecommunications brands to highly regulated pharmaceutical communications, I’m drawn to projects where thoughtful design can bring order, confidence, and momentum.

I don’t just think about how something looks. I think about how it works, how messages are structured, how a brand shows up across channels, and how design can support bigger business goals.

That balance of strategy and execution has defined my work from the start, and it’s still what drives me today.

HOW I WORK

Clarity, structure, and systems that scale.

Understand the problem

I start with the why behind the brief so the design solves the right challenge.

Simplify complexity

I translate dense information into communication that feels clear, useful, and intuitive.

Build visual systems

I create scalable frameworks that keep brands consistent across touchpoints.

Execute with precision

From concept to final delivery, I care about craft, detail, and business impact.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

A career built across global brands, complex industries, and evolving platforms.

Zenga Consulting
2024-Present

Brand strategies and creative execution for clients across tech, healthcare, park district, SaaS, AI, and emerging industries.

 

  • Direct cross-channel creative initiatives including websites, presentations, video, and social media.
  • Advise founders and leadership teams on brand positioning, messaging clarity, and go-to-market visuals.
  • Build scalable brand systems that support growth, investor confidence, and customer engagement.

Pactiv Evergreen
2016-2024

Led creative strategy for a multi-billion-dollar global brand, driving consistency across campaigns, digital platforms, and physical environments.

 

  • Directed creative for national marketing campaigns, trade show exhibits, sales enablement tools, and digital media.
  • Led photo and video productions from concept and storyboarding through final delivery, managing agencies, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
  • Played a key role in revitalizing and modernizing the brand’s visual identity across multiple business units.
  • Partnered with marketing, product, and leadership teams to ensure brand consistency and measurable business impact.
  • Improved creative workflows and asset management, increasing efficiency and speed-to-market.

DasanZhone
2010-2015

Directed global creative, rebranding initiatives, websites, event branding, and visual storytelling for a telecommunications technology leader.

 

  • Led corporate rebranding initiatives that strengthened brand recognition and sales support.
  • Designed corporate websites, product microsites, event branding, and social media campaigns.
  • Created a comprehensive library of visual assets including brochures, infographics, animated technical diagrams, and explainer videos.
  • Collaborated with product, engineering, and marketing teams to translate complex technology into accessible visual communication.

UT Starcom
2005-2009

Managed global branding and marketing communications during a major growth phase, ensuring consistency across regions and channels.

 

  • Delivered cohesive, on-brand creative for global product launches and partner events.
  • Produced trade show environments, brochures, infographics, and multi-language marketing campaigns.
  • Ensured brand consistency across regions, channels, and vendor partners.

AstraZeneca
1999-2004

Developed compliant regional pharmaceutical marketing and patient education materials within a highly regulated environment.

 

  • Partnered with copywriters, marketers, and medical/legal teams to produce compliant patient education and promotional materials.
  • Elevated visual standards while maintaining strict regulatory requirements.
  • Streamlined creative workflows, improving turnaround time and stakeholder satisfaction.
STRENGTHS, SKILLS & TOOLS

Creative & Strategic Expertise

 

  • Creative Direction & Art Direction
  • Brand Identity & Visual Systems
  • UI/UX & Responsive Web Design
  • Digital Marketing & Campaign Development
  • Video, Motion Graphics & Media Production
  • Trade Show & Environmental Design
  • Sales Enablement & B2B Marketing

Leadership & Collaboration

  • Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Management
  • Agency & Vendor Management
  • Agile Creative Workflows

Tools & Technologies

  • Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects)
  • Figma, Sketch
  • AI-Assisted Creative Tools
  • HTML/CSS
  • Content Management Systems (CMS)
  • Microsoft Office
EDUCATION
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
Bachelor of Arts - Graphic Design
ASCEND MEDIA
Digital Design - Social Media
DOWNLOAD MY RESUME
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David King
Founder Ocelot Advisory

John is a great individual. He has a wide range of creative talent both in artistic design and music, he had a great eye for detail, he is a team player and a high energy contributor in any circumstances. I had the pleasure of working with him all over the world over two and a half years and saw him raise customer and internal events to a new level through the application of his skills.
Rachana Panda
Mentor l Board member l Public Affairs | Communications | Sustainability

John is a creative genius in terms of strategic thinking and design aspect - his works are an excellent balance of the two . I remember during my tenure with him,he would crave out apt designs with minimum brief and these would be a clear mix of strategy,sales and creativity.An asset to any organisation - high on intergity, responsibility and timelines.
Daniel Marcus
Vice President New Business Development at RGB Spectrum

John demonstrated vision and leadership in the creative realm, developing accessible look and feel elements for virtually all customer facing collateral and communications. In addition, he's a positive guy with an enthusiastic approach to his work - an attitude that contributes to the overall enthusiasm of the team.
Maria Buttitto
Executive Administrative Assistant at UT Starcom

I had the pleasure to work with John on multiple projects. His excellent project management skills, high energy, strong work ethic and ability to work well with others allows him to deliver projects on time and above expectations. He is an outstanding detail oriented creative professional who consistently goes above and beyond expectations to deliver significant results. An asset to any organization!
Kevin Scurlock
Principal Systems Engineer at Motorola Solutions

I've always admired John and his talents. I've respected him for his commitment and dedication. He's the ultimate "go-getter" who constantly overachieves. I can only hope that the two of us will work together some day. Any company should be as lucky!
BEYOND THE WORK

A little more about me.

When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me playing guitar, writing music, cooking, or following The Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, or Cubs . Creativity doesn’t turn off, it just shows up in different ways. I value curiosity, craftsmanship, and finding simple, thoughtful solutions whether I’m building a brand system, cooking a dish, or writing a new song.

LET'S CONNECT

If your brand is complex, growing, or struggling to communicate clearly, I can help bring structure, clarity, and impact.

 I bring a rare combination of strategic thinking, creative leadership, and hands-on execution, helping teams move faster and communicate more clearly.

START A CONVERSATION