Carmen GAGE Ackert

Branding & Marketing Design Professional

Art & Nonprofit

INDUSTRIES

PORTFOLIO

Elko County Art Club (ECAC for short), is a 501(c)(3) ​nonprofit organization with a 40-year history of ​encouraging interest and appreciation of the visual arts ​in the remote mining community of Elko, Nevada.

I was a member of the ECAC for three years and served ​as Gallery Director and Treasurer for one of those years. ​During that time, I volunteered to created a new brand ​identity for the club, taking the limited visual of a ​painter’s palette and applying the same colors to a more ​contemporary design. I also researched and secured a ​location for the co-op art gallery after water damage ​took out the previous location. I was given unanimous ​approval by the board for funding to handle all the ​components of developing the art gallery, from paint to ​lighting–to signage and furnishings. I established the ​brand with marketing and advertising promotions for the ​club and gallery, developing mailers, flyers, email blasts, ​newsletters, PR interviews and content, news articles, ​and was also responsible for procuring and coordinating ​artists for exhibitions.

Carson City, NV

The Change Companies creates behavior change ​journaling tools for individuals in addiction treatment ​and justice services utilizing a person-centered ​approach. I was hired to assist Change Companies in ​the development and conceptual design of their ​journaling curricula to reach audiences in various need ​areas. For this particular set of journals targeting ​Native American tribal members, I created a series of ​watercolor illustrations using traditional cultural ​symbols to effectively communicate a positive path to ​follow in overcoming addiction.

JM Capriola Company has been the “Guardians of Tradition” ​in providing rancher and cowboy gear and customized ​leather saddlery and gifts in Elko, NV since 1929. The ​business owner wanted to create more storefront appeal by ​adding an artistic touch that would communicate the brand’s ​classic cowboy style. I proposed picking up on the motifs of ​leather tooling design to dress up the windows and applying ​hand-painted and vinyl lettering to promote the various ​products and features of the business. Prior to the full ​storefront design, I had been hired to created colorful artistic, ​themed illustrations that I painted directly onto the windows ​using acrylic paints.

Storefront design concept proposal

Completed storefront

Hand-painted illustration/lettering & vinyl installation

Final painting

Elko, NV

Impressed by the result of the envionrmental design I ​created for the Elko County Art Club Gallery, the owner of ​Picture This! framing and art gallery across the street ​contracted me to create a branded environment for her ​business. The goal was to achieve a cohesive, inviting, ​well-organized, functional space in which to serve framing ​customers and display framed artwork. The owner wanted ​to preserve the historic feel of the century-old building ​with a style reminiscent of an earlier era (I chose art deco ​lines). Examining the current use of space, considering ​organizational issues, and assessing business work flow ​was involved to create the precisely-measured, 3D floor ​plan rendering. A new brand identity, signage, and ​business cards were also provided.

Logo design

Interior design concept 3D rendering

Original store interior

Northeastern Nevada Museum (NNM) needed a fundraising ​brochure designed to inform prospective donors about the ​need to build an extension wing for the museum’s large ​western art collection. Inspired by the history of NNM’s ​cowboy-themed exhibits, I created the campaign concept ​and designed a logotype, brochure, and matching ​stationery utilizing iconic artwork from the well-known ​western artist, Will James, whose work is displayed in the ​museum. I also assisted with the copywriting and copy ​editing of the brochure and managed print production for ​all materials.

Campaign logotype

Ogden, UT

For about six months, I enjoyed participating in an Artist ​Residency for Ogden Arts while I lived in the state of Utah. ​As an Artist in Residence, I participated in weekly art ​exhibits, helped with feature artist setup and art walks, ​shared in public eduction about the organization, and also ​contributed my design talents to designing signage and ​other supporting materials for the art gallery. My time with ​Ogden Arts gave me an opportunity to share my collection ​of artwork and photography while interacting with fellow ​artists and residents of the local community.

Sidewalk sign

Photography

Zenith

The Magna Gem

Bodie Cabin

Painting & Illustration

Magna Times

Mendocino - 2' x 2' acrylic on canvas

Coalesced - 3' x 4' metallic acrylic on canvas

Dani - 24" x 24" watercolor

Amber - 14" x 8.5" watercolor

Pyrography

CLICK TO VIEW MORE ILLUSTRATIONS

Artworks Studio is a family business comprised of my artist ​father, Rory Gage, who paints in acrylics, and my stepmother ​Lisa, who is a sculptor, ceramicist, and glass-blower. Artworks ​required business cards and a larger promotional card to ​advertise their business, and Lisa wanted to create a PowerPoint ​presentation of her jewelry collection to share with potential ​clients. I decided to create a warm, neutral, clean backdrop ​design to allow the beauty and colors of the art pieces to take ​the spotlight.

Promotional card

Business card

CONTACT

Carmen GAGE Ackert