creative director
renee combs
I'm a Texan born and bred, a country girl at heart. I attended Angelo State University where I ran the Heptathlon for two years. After my running days were over, I transferred to Texas State University in San Marcos where I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design.
In my last role I direct brand and visual identity for Force of Nature Meat Co across multiple consumer segment and production categories. I'm responsible for maintaining internal relationships and cohesion across department needs as well as effectively communicating art direction to the internal design team. Also, in my career, I have created and designed large scale packaging designs for multiple products for H-E-B Grocery Company. If you live in Texas and shop at H-E-B, odds are you have my work in your pantry or fridge or have walked thru the experience I created. I'm eager to produce design solutions and strategy that are planned and executed excellently across cross-functional teams. I create clear and coherent design solutions that speak to consumers and communicate our brand. I have an excellent understanding and experience around specialty printing for packaging on all levels.
In my current role I've launched Ranch Hand Creative which is my own freelance design business. I'm currently building brands, redesigning packaging, and directing creative strategy for current clients. I'm excited to bring my experience in the last 15 years to my new clients to aid them in being successful.
skill level
software knowledge
ILLUSTRATOR
98%
INDESIGN
85%
PHOTOSHOP
95%
PRINT PRODUCTION
85%
AFTER EFFECTS
80%
LIGHTROOM
95%
background
professional experience
2023 - 2024
FORCE OF NATURE MEATS
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Direct brand and visual identity for Force of Nature meat company across multiple consumer segment and production categories. Responsible for expanding brand guide and updating packaging design strategy as well as directing new product photoshoots.
2024 - CURRENT
I work alongside small business owners to help elevate their branding, packaging, and marketing needs. I'm successfully redesigned a small business with 125 and unique product labels, along with assisting in website design. Branding a newly launched golf brand with logos, colors, and creative direct photography.
2022 - 2023
EPIC WESTERN COCKTAIL CO.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Direct brand and visual identity for Epic Western Cocktail Company across multiple consumer segment and production categories. Direct and execute design layouts of marketing materials, products, and publication artwork along with strategizing campaign concepts with the CMO. Coordinate with freelance photographers and art direct multiple on location photo shoots / video shoots. Manage Epic Westerns social media accounts along with create digital campaign concepts.
2020- 2022
HumanN
SR. DIRECTOR OF DESIGN
Direct brand and visual identity for HumanN across multiple consumer segment and production categories. Build an in-house, multi-disciplinary creative agency to support HumanN's brand, product, and consumer goals and experiences. Help create HumanNs branded experience and build positive brand perception and loyalty. Manage a small design team and project manage design requests and all new assets. Art Direct photoshoot and video production of design and video team.
2018 - 2020
ANCIENT NUTRITION
SENIOR DESIGN MANAGER
Art Direct large scale ad campaigns, photoshoots, and digital campaigns. Drive and direct creative strategy and deliverables of multi-channel campaigns. Art Direct all creative efforts to deliver premium, clean, and creative solutions. Collaborate effectively as a creative partner with internal cross functional business partners, Marketing team, product management, and outside agencies/partners. Continuously promote and evolve the Brand Style Guide to drive brand consistency across channels. Label & Printing management for packaging design. Team Management: Build and grow a best-in-class team of high performing creatives.
2018 - 2020
ANCIENT NUTRITION
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Work closely with the Brand Manager & VP of Brand & Marketing to build new brand guidelines, digital assets, packaging design, social design and photo shoot concepts. Attend press checks to ensure packaging specs are met creatively and meet deadlines. Continuously promote and evolve the Brand Style Guide to drive brand consistency across channels. Label & Printing management for packaging design.
2017- 2018
Create clear and coherent design solutions that speak to consumers and communicate HEB, Central Market and Hill Country Fair brands. Work closely with Brand Managers, Buyers, Vendors and Printers to ensure concepts are on target and meet strict deadlines.
H-E-B
SR. BRANDING & PACKAGING DESIGNER
2016-2017
Worked closely with the design team to develop and maintain brand identity through print, media, outdoor, packaging and collateral for all 5 waterparks and resort. Build marketing materials that range from highway billboard campaigns, park signage and brand identity for new water park rides.
SCHLITTERBAHN
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
2011-2014
iHEART MEDIA
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Designed and animated digital campaigns for high profile companies including: McDonald's, Target, ABC Pest Control. Worked closely with clients to manage and collect their campaign assets to insure animations were set to brand specifications.
LIN Digital
DIGITAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER
2014-2015
Worked directly with the Director of Sales to lead creative brand identity for iHeart Media digital sales campaigns. Managed the creative department on design packages, brand identity and collateral. Managed and produced green-screen video campaigns, live music sizzle reels, talent profile videos for iHeart local brands.
art direction
creative work
Contact
I'm a Texan born and bred, a country girl at heart. I currently live in the beautiful Texas Hill Country with my husband, 1 dog, 3 horses, 5 Texas Longhorns, large amount of barn cats, and lost count of my chickens...Oh, and our pet Turkey, Tina. I've been a designer for over 15 years and have recently gone full freelance. Breaking away from the corporate life was hard and scary but I'm excited to meet new clients and create new friendships.
-Renee