Graphic Design Portfolio

Hello and thank you for visiting my new Graphic Design Portfolio!

I am an experienced Sr. Graphic Designer and Illustrator seeking new professional opportunities! 

Please enjoy the Portfolio below by clicking on the first image and using your arrow keys on your desktop to scroll through. If you are on a mobile device just tap each image to continue viewing the pages! Do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or to begin a conversation about how I can become part of your amazing team!

Additionally, if you would like a copy of my resume click here and to download a high resolution version of this portfolio simply click here!

Thank you!

Derrick Utz

Catalog Design - Catalog Story and Product Pages
It is true that a catalog full of products can risk being boring to shop through or confusing when consumers seek product knowledge. This problem can stem from bad design in the planning or lackluster execution of the pages’ layouts. I have developed a vast set of skills to help balance information and appeal in product catalogs and brochures.

These pages are from the opening sections of two separate catalogs. The page to the left is designed  to showcase the features of a certain series of products while also telling the story of their design. The spread above is intended to show the freshness of a product that would be stored and sold from the  efficient and powerful chilled merchandisers throughout a store. I breaths life into an otherwise “cold” product.

Catalog Design - Product Pages

Creating compelling and attractive product pages that both showcase multiple products and inform the customer of features and benefits is an enjoyable challenge for me.

With these pages I combined the great quality product renderings from my teammates with a well planned layout structure that would read easily and provide clarity to large groups of technical information.

Campaign Design - Themed Sales Promotional Material

Campaign and themed series projects are a fun way I have been allowed to wrap product promotions or event information with a clever design aesthetic. 

In these pieces my team and I were combining the promotion of a large overstock sales period with the annual basketball tournament. The purpose was to connect the conversation of the promotions we had with the pre-existing conversation nationally of the sporting event and in doing so we would widen the reach of our sales.

Instruction Design - Assembly, Installation and Usage Guides

Clarity is key when designing instruction sheets for a vast selection of  products. There needs to be a balance of visual information and concise guidelines to ensure efficient assembly and usage of the product that is safe for both the associate building it and the customer using it, if applicable. 

These instructions showcase the ability I have developed to simplify complex information with both the installation side of instructions as well as the usage. The instructions to the right are part of a machine that uses blades and pressure and proper instructions directly affect the safety of the users.

Seasonal Design - Seasonal Rebranding, Greeting Cards and Promotions

Seasonal and unique events can be vital to the sales cycle of many businesses. It can be difficult to find clever ways to connect a brand or their products to the season or event they need to engage. I have found these challenges especially exciting because they give me an opportunity to apply my whimsical and energetic illustration skills in a strong commercial direction.

These pieces are a few examples of how I have directly tied the products of a company or even their brand to a series of Christmas collateral to both share the product with the customer and connect them to the sensation of the season. This creates a warming opportunity to start conversations about sales in a unique and memorable way.

Presentation Design - Long-form, Engaging Presentations with Clear Messages

Presenting information in client meetings or large groups required a combination of many well executed pieces. One of the most important is the visual communication conveyed with the presentation slides. It is with these tools a precentor or their company can seal the deal with clients or potentially loose business. Additionally, in areas outside of client engagement, a bad presentation can create confusion during staff meetings or community and member engagement. Confusion causes stress and creates an environment ripe for mistakes and growing pains. 

These slides are just a few examples of how I have learned to help lead the viewer through a well structured story with presentations. I have helped this church balance the power of their message with attractive visual aids and the clear handing of fonts and colors. Using these tools I am able to tell the story of the message and keep the engagement of the audience.

Logo Design - Branding that Catches the Eye and Sticks

Presenting information in client meetings or large groups required a combination of many well executed pieces. One of the most important is the visual communication conveyed with the presentation slides. It is with these tools a precentor or their company can seal the deal with clients or potentially loose business. Additionally, in areas outside of client engagement, a bad presentation can create confusion during staff meetings or community and member engagement. Confusion causes stress and creates an environment ripe for mistakes and growing pains. 

These slides are just a few examples of how I have learned to help lead the viewer through a well structured story with presentations. I have helped this church balance the power of their message with attractive visual aids and the clear handing of fonts and colors. Using these tools I am able to tell the story of the message and keep the engagement of the audience.

Illustration - Personality Needs a Little "Character"

The ability to draw has been one of the most important parts of my life and has touched nearly every part of it. I can use it to tell a story, introduce ideas or clarify a message. All of these skills also directly contribute to my abilities as a graphic designer. The understanding of composition, scale, balance and storytelling help me to layout effective collateral, design attractive brands and direct the viewer to information they need.

These are a few examples of whimsical characters and designs that tell a story, encourage questions and connect to an audience. I am able to bring these same abilities into my designs and that has only made me an even stronger marketer and communicator.

Digital Painting - Not Just a Pencil Pusher

Technology has improved most areas of our lives and that includes new and expanded areas of illustration and art production. I have become very skilled at carrying my hand-drawn illustration talents in to powerful and colorful paintings. It all begins on paper with just an idea and a few lines and can become a powerful and attractive finished piece. Using these work flows and exploring the combination of traditional activities like drawing with the many features of digital tools enables me to experience unique ways to visually solve problems. I bring those lessons into my design work with amazing results. 

Visual Storytelling - More than Just Words

Telling a story to a child or communicating information to consumers requires many overlapping skills. You must capture the audience, keep their attention and change them in some fundamental way. This could used to simply bring joy to their day or to communicate the sensation of how a product or service could affect their lives or the lives of those they care about. Using storytelling and the lessons I have learned from it I have become a better communicator, relationship builder and problem solver. I am thrilled to enlist these abilities as a marketer to connect with the many audiences in the world.