WELCOME TO THE RESUME

Super Duper Profesh Skills, Experience & Education

For a printable resume in PDF form, click below:

Kenny Wuerstlin Resume.pdf

SKILLS & KNOW-HOW

Brand design and creative strategy; manage the creative process from concept to completion
Graphic Design: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Adobe Express, Figma, Canva, and AI resources
Translate brand strategies into marketing objectives across all channels
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Oversee and present client pitches and proposals
Led and directed creative teams in the production of all marketing collateral
Ensure visual communication and brand standards are met
Performative skills in bagpipes

March 2022 - Present

Digital Yalo | Atlanta, GA

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Digital Yalo Re-Brand: First project at Yalo was to give the agency a refreshed new look; worked directly with our CCO and VP of Design and crafted multiple marks, each with supporting visuals of how the marks could come to life; set the tone for all subsequent materials - website, brand decks, social media, digital marketing, client gifts and swag. Supporting graphics include detailed, grainy gradients, mixed media collages, extensive iconography, and type treatments
Brand Identity Designs: serves as lead designer for multiple brand identity projects; based on strategic brand positioning, designed primary identity logos and all variations, visual identity systems, and supportive branding graphics for several clients: notable clients include IronCraft, Eclipse Outdoor, Rainier Shading, Weller Metalworks, Alloy Specialties, The Strand Theatre, and Nebuscent
Creative Campaign Designs: designed campaigns for multiple clients, including OOH, digital ads, and social media; notable clients include LMS Investments, Apollo Tires, Pluralsight, M&T Bank, Pruitt Health, PDI: Kitchen & Lighting, The Strand Theatre, Myron, Cortland Apartments, Orderly Meds, and
Primrose Schools
Digital Yalo Internal Collateral and Marketing: after the Digital Yalo rebrand, serves as the go-to designer for large internal marketing tasks, including illustrated poster designs with AR video support, concepting a custom vinyl record, including brainstorming thematic ideas, song content, and visual graphics; also oversaw production
Traditional Design Work: designed packaging, print materials conference/event materials for many clients; food packaging, monthly newsletters, presentations, table displays, backdrops, tradeshow booths, clothing/swag; notable clients include Jackson EMC, The Blakery, Wellspring Living, Apollo Tires, and Pluralsight

September 2016 - March 2022

Zaxby's Franchising LLC | Athens, GA

CREATIVE SERVICES SENIOR MANAGER

My team and I continue to make an impact across Zaxby's brand, both internally and externally. What began as just myself and a few in-house designers, has led to where I am today - leading all of our partner creative agencies, onboarding them to our brand and culture, and sharing our design toolkit.

The Zaxby's Brand Book remained a priority to maintain, update and grow. We created our own proprietary font system that included sans, serif, script, and layered fonts. Zaxby's iconic wing sauces got a face-lift, which laid the groundwork for future creative to come, and nailing our evolving tone-of-voice became paramount.
With all of the design assets we had created, as well as what our supportive agencies created, we addressed our need to have a Digital Asset Management system. Organizing, tagging, uploading, and finding approved assets is critical to keeping up with content-driven marketing.
Began briefing the Promotional Campaigns for our agencies and was key point-of-contact for reviewing, and approving POP designs, broadcast and digital spots, radio spots, social content, OOH, email/text campaigns, and owned-digital channels.
Started playing a key role for our Social channels; consulting on our tone-of-voice, and personality.
Played a more pivotal role in building design, decor, and signage. Provided inspiration and direction for future environmental design.
Continued to support all design needs at the corporate office, branding of the annual Z Conventions, packaging, menu boards, LSM, uniform, website, and app.

December 2013 - September 2016

Zaxby's Franchising LLC | Athens, GA

GRAPHIC DESIGNER MANAGER

I was promoted to Manager and took on the responsibility of leading current and future graphic designers at Zaxby's, and laying the foundation for Zaxby's in-house design team. We also joined a newly created department - Brand Management, which is where we would eventually re-shape the look of the Zaxby's brand.

The first major project was to create Zaxby's very first brand guidelines - Zaxby’s Brand Book. Working with research and consumer insights, we defined Zaxby's passion and style, created rules for the logos, and defined typefaces, colors, and tone-of-voice. Also handled the overall design, layout, and co-copy writing of the book.
We began to support more guest-facing materials, including graphics for existing packaging; to-go bags, clamshell embossment, beverage cups, dip cups, and dressing packets.
Worked with our digital agency to upgrade and re-brand our website; overall branding, tone-of-voice, photography.
Zaxby's menu board design also became our responsibility, for all formats - indoor, drive-thru, and paper menus. We also created the first iteration of our digital menu boards.
An online portal of Local Store Marketing (LSM) templates were created, which our team handled the initial build-out of all LSM materials for fundraiser nights, sponsorships, comp cards, paper menus, stationery, and third-party delivery marketing.
The brand was in the midst of revamping its Uniform Program, which we were then included to guide, provide inspiration, and create any graphics for aprons, hats, and name badges.
Continued to support all design needs at the corporate office, and branding of the annual Z Conventions.

March 2013 - December 2013

Zaxby's Franchising LLC | Athens, GA

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

An opportunity arose nearby, and I took a chance. I had plenty of graphic design experience at sign shops, but I knew I could always do more. There was an opening at Zaxby's. Yes, that awesome chicken finger place, which happened to be headquartered in Athens, GA.

I applied and got it. I did (virtual) backflips and got to designing.

Lead Graphic Designer for corporate facing and licensee facing materials including branded merch and materials for corporate events, team member training materials, recognition programs, franchise marketing tradeshow materials, intranet web pages, and corporate stationery.
Worked closely with Executives, Vice Presidents, and Directors across Zaxby's corporate office for any creative design, creative copywriting, or brainstorming needs.
Lead Graphic Designer for Zaxby's annual licensee convention - The Z Convention. A leadership-led gathering for inspirational and tactical messaging, as well as celebratory parties and events. Created everything from the event logo itself, to themed supporting graphics, stage graphics, gifts, nametags, lanyards, signage, and tradeshow displays.

October 2010 - March 2013

The Sign Bros. | Athens, GA

GRAPHIC DESIGNER &PRODUCTION MANAGER

After a few years of grinding it with our small crew, we started to grow. We relocated to a new, bigger building and grew from just three people (the Bros and me) to TEN. As the projects kept coming in,

I continued much of the responsibilities, but now had a team to support and manage.

Continued as the lead Graphic Designer and would work directly with clients on design consultation.
As a manager, I was responsible for onboarding and training new team members.
Supervised the production team and organized workflow for all production and installation teams daily.
Continued much of the production design and print operations.
I often DJ'd at the shop, as in, just choosing the music that was played throughout the shop. Every Friday at 4:03 PM, I would play Third Eye Blind's self-titled 1997 album. You know the one. As soon as "God of Wine" concluded, it was time to go. Everyone loved it.

October 2008 - October 2010

The Sign Bros. | Athens, GA

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

I moved from New Orleans to Athens, GA, and picked things right back up at a sign company. This time, at a one-year-old company where I would be replacing their first and only employee.

Lead Graphic Designer for all projects; concept design and production design.
Designed in many different formats, including vehicle wraps, logos, banners, site signs, channel letters, & interior/exterior graphics.
Operated all wide-format printing and vinyl plotting. Organized and supervised pre-production.
Skilled in various sign production, including laminating, weeding & taping vinyl, applying vinyl, & hemming, and adding grommets to banners.
More than any skill learned, I got to watch what it takes for a small business to succeed. I'll always admire and respect the brothers for their dedication and "lead by example" mentality.

May 2008 - October 2008

OPA Graphics | New Orleans, LA

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

While at college in New Orleans I was able to land an internship at OPA Graphics as a Graphic Designer and was immediately hired as soon as I graduated.

Designed logos, posters, banners, monument signs, channel letters, and business displays.
Learned production techniques in many different formats including printing, laminating, routing, and plotting.
Communicated with clients and managed the pre-production stages of a job assignment.
Fun fact: the street behind the shop is called Clio St., which is technically pronounced "Clee-Oh". Locals didn't call it that. Locals would say: "C-L-ten". I always thought this was great.

Fall 2004 - Spring 2008

Loyola University | New Orleans

STUDENT

Bachelors Degree in Music with emphasis in Music Industry Studies.

November 1985 - Present

The Wuerstlins | Jonesboro, GA

SON

Born and raised in Georgia by Bob and Dot Wuerstlin. The two greatest people on the planet that I owe everything to.