About Me

D A N N Y • A M A T O Guy in charge of creative stuff. BigDoor​Studio@me.com www.BigDoorStudio.com 760-969-2687 VISUAL PROBLEM SOLVER. CREATIVE STRATEGIC THINKER. MAKER OF FAMOUS BRANDS. I have been called a creative innovator, adapting quickly to new environments and approaching each new day with excitement and ambition. As a natural leader, I am able to facilitate cooperation between team members and offer dynamic, clever solutions when faced with a challenge. As a Creative Director, Art Director, Digital Graphic Designer. I have developed a national reputation for producing ideas and visual communications that transcend the clutter. A career of creativity spanning and mastering an eclectic mix of mediums - including branding, print, web, broadcast, digital, design, and photography. I have evolved from an artist with great hand skills into a strategic thinker who has mastered the digital tools and trends in which our craft is executed today. Working either as a quarterback or an enthusiastic member of the team, I am willing to put the work in to get the win. E X P E R I E N C E BigDoorStudio - Creative / Freelancer Palm Springs, CA • Jun 2018 – Present Art Direction for Automotive, Oil, Natural Gas, Healthcare, Cannabis Web Design for Agriculture, Restaurants, Food Service, Training Branding and Logo Design for Food Service, Events, Healthcare Packaging for Food Service Franchise, Vape Industry, Agriculture Motion Graphics for Advertising Agency, Tourism, Hospitality BuzzFactory - CreativeDirector Palm Springs, CA • July 2009 - July 2018 Responsible for naming, branding, space planning, interior design and all creative direction and execution of final product for BuzzFactory, a full- service advertising agency. Client categories serviced are, Forever Marilyn Palm Springs, Measure J ( one percent sales tax ) several political candidates, Wessman Construction, Integrated Wealth Management, The Pinnacle Fund, City of Rancho Mirage Tourism, and Kraft Nabisco Championship. Completed projects in print, direct mail, broadcast, web and social media. AceDirect - Creative Director Palm Springs, CA • 2006 - July 2009 I have put to the task of re-branding a traditional printer into an interactive graphic solutions provider. I worked both in marketing services and new business development for strategic acquisitions of clientele to drive sales for print, web, direct mail and large format graphics. Also, I created specific products for variable data printing and direct response products for use on our new Xerox iGen3 digital press. BigDoorStudio - Creative / Sole Proprietor Palm Springs, CA • Jan 2004 – Oct 2006 Professional free-lance advertising creative for print, web, and broadcast. Completing projects regionally for clients in several categories, jewelry, collectible guns and knives, non-surgical cosmetics, luxury resorts, and health care. AL&Z Advertising Inc. - V.P. / Creative Director Palm Desert, CA • Jan 1993 - Jan 2004 Responsibilities include: overseeing ( 12 ) person art, interactive and web staff, creative product, strategic direction, and new business pitches. Concepting for complete media campaigns including print, web, broadcast, outdoor, direct mail and interactive. E D U C A T I O N La Jolla Academy of Advertising Arts Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design La Jolla, CA Instructors were working professionals in the advertising industry and I was hired directly after graduation by Richard Mark Sickman Agency, former Creative Director of Leo Burnet in Chicago, IL. R E F E R E N C E S Just ask. A W A R D S Many. S K I L L S All things creative, tangible and intangible. A mark, a hat, a digital doodle, all can ignite an entire empire of goods. I can draw, I am very skilled in Adobe Creative Suite. I am very hands-on and I can make things...happen!