Hello there,
My name is Thomas Christiansen, and I’m glad you’re here. For over 12 years, I’ve helped clients grow their businesses and organizations by providing creative solutions ranging from branding, messaging, web design, graphic design and more.
I describe myself as equal parts left brain and right brain. Being a creative catalyst, coupled with a strategy mindset, I aim to create work that is visually striking and also gets results. At the end of the day, we don’t just want to look good, we want to pay the bills.
Education
BFA, Advertising Art Direction
Columbia College Chicago / Chicago, IL
Sep 2010 - May 2012 | GPA: 3.9
Summa Cum Laude
Art - Graphic Design
University of Sioux Falls / Sioux Falls, SD
Sep 2006 - May 2009 | GPA: 3.5
Awards & Honors
DISTRICT EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER
Q4 2017 - Selected by Profile Sr. Leadership
NOMINATED FOR THE ‘16 EmBELIEVER AWARD
Demonstrates the mission of EmBe to enrich our community.
605 MAGAZINE YOUNG LEADER OF THE YEAR
January 2015 Issue
ADDY AWARDS: 7 GOLD & 7 SILVER
American Advertising Awards 2012 - 2014
SD ADVERTISING FEDERATION SPECIAL GUEST
Conducted one-on-one portfolio reviews
19th ANNUAL HOKIN HONORS
For outstanding artistic achievement
Experience
Brand Architect
Profile by Sanford | Sioux Falls, SD | Sep 2015 – Oct 2019
Established and maintained the look, feel, and emotional impact of the brand. Created brand guidelines.
Set visual and message direction of new products, initiatives and campaigns.
Lead creative team with requests in and out of the dept.
Onboard and work with partners on various projects including ad campaigns, app development, website, packaging, print collateral, signage, and more.
Lead promotional marketing meetings: gathering dept. heads to brainstorm, evaluate, and refine strategy.
Lead promotional tactics planning: social, web, digital, print, events, business development, and more.
President & Sioux Falls Pride Chair
The Center for Equality | Jan 2014 - Sept 2017
Lead the Board of Directors and Executive Director to ensure committees and programs are fulfilling our mission.
Worked closely with non-profit groups, businesses, and state & local political bodies to maximize impact.
Successfully lobbied to kill and veto proposed anti-LGBTQ+ bills.
Established relationships with Sioux Falls Pride event sponsors, vendors and partners.
Grew the Pride festival from 600 to 10,000 attendees.
Art Director
VVI | Sioux Falls, SD | Mar 2012 - Feb 2015
Head of graphics team to provide visual direction for web, video, and graphics departments.
Member of lead creative team in generating creative strategies, tactics, and direction.
Created and helped implement pre-production and production processes for video creative.
Meet with clients to address needs, scope of work and presented creative solutions.
Took an active roll in representing VVI in local and state advertising groups and organizations.