Julio Aranda, MFA (He/Him)

I'm a Texas based graphic designer with a passion for brands and the stories they tell. Driven by continuous learning and life's simple joys — like a vanilla latte and almond croissants — I thrive on crafting innovative visual narratives that ignite brand success. I'm passionate about advertising design, a coffeeholic, and a proud
dog dad.

All great relationships start with a conversation so don’t be shy, julioaranda91@gmail.com.

Professional Experience

Rhodes Branding | Art Director, Contract
Columbia, South Carolina, United States
April 2023 - Present (1 year 2 months)
Clients: Beaufort County School District, Portland Public Schools, WeLead
Description: Lead creative projects for print and digital, developing and executing designs for branding, ads, and online content. In partnership with marketing, I ensure our designs convey client messages in line with branding goals and maintain consistency across all platforms, while balancing leadership's vision.

Quillio Studio | Art Director | Full-Time
Brownsville, Texas, United States
August 2015 - Present (8 years, 7 months)
Clients: Dairy Queen, The North Face, Santander, NanoBebe, Blue Rhino, All Saints, City of Brownsville
Description: As an Art Director, I craft and execute creative strategies for print and digital media, including branding, ads, and social media. I merge strategic vision with creative design to lead projects from start to finish, working both solo and as part of a team to create impactful designs that engage clients and fulfill campaign objectives.

Tequila Group | Art Director, Contract
McAllen, Texas, United States
December 2023 - Present (5 months)
Clients: Brownsville International Airport, COSTEP
Description: Responsible for continually innovating the process, the ideas and the strategies to better support and grow client accounts. Communicate and justify conceptual and directional choices. Generate useful, usable ideas across all existing and emerging experiential, social and digital platforms.

McKinney Ventures | Senior Graphic Designer, Contract
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
March 2023 - April 2023 (2 months)
Clients: Titleist, Footjoy
Description: Spearhead visual strategies to elevate client branding across various media platforms. In this creative leadership role, I crafted compelling designs using expert knowledge of design tools like Adobe Creative Suite, and Google Slides to ensure client presentations align with client goals and brand guidelines.

ClassWallet | Senior Graphic Designer, Contract
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
March 2022 - November 2023 (9 months)
Description: Conceptualized and executed creative solutions across both print and digital mediums, including branding materials, advertising campaigns, website and social media content. Collaborating closely with the marketing and creative teams, I ensure that designs effectively communicate client messages and meet campaign goals. 

WMHarper | Senior Graphic Designer, Contract
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
September 2021 - February 2022 (6 months)
Clients: Barrette Outdoor Living, Haymaker Coffee, Lexar, Doable Health, Rounded, FYX Gaming, YourBio Health
Dscription:
Senior Graphic Designer specializing in Branding, Editorial design, Corporate design and UI / Digital design. Responsible for develop creative materials and managing projects.

City of Brownsville | Senior Graphic Designer, Full-Time
Brownsville, Texas, United States
June 2020 - February 2022 (1 year 4 months)
Description: Conceptualized and executed a pivotal role leading the city's initiatives across various mediums such as digital, out-of-home/large format print, and experiential marketing. Driving major brand campaigns from concept to execution, ensuring innovative and impactful delivery. Daily responsibilities included managing and guiding the creative department, encompassing designers, strategists, and content producers.

Red Creative Agency | Art Director, Full-Time
McAllen, Texas, United States
June 2018 - June 2020 (2 years)
Description: Crafted campaign vision using unique graphics and media, setting creative standards and enhancing production, quality, and service. Coordinated with marketing and social teams, aligning priorities with business goals for timely, budget-friendly, high-quality outputs. Developed visual strategies and new production processes, analyzing market trends, consumer needs, and the competitive landscape.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy | Lead Graphic Designer, Contract
Brownsville, Texas, United States
October 2019 - May 2020 (8 months)
Description: Responsible for extending and protecting the language of the brand collaborate with other team members from concept to execution on a variety of projects big and small.

Ilyse Terri | Graphic Designer, Contract
Miami, Florida, United States
June 2019 - March 2020 (1 year)
Description: Developed engaging graphics and designs for product packaging and social media ads, focusing on Facebook and Instagram. Collaborated with teams to create interactive designs and managed feedback and revisions. Ensured brand consistency across all channels, and created collateral, signage, and corporate identity materials.

  • Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) in Graphic Design (August 2019-May 2024)
    Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California, United States

    Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design (August 2011-December 2017)
    The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, Texas, , United States

  • Branding / Brand Strategy / Art Direction / Brand Architecture / Social Media Communications / Editorial Design / Interactive Marketing / Display Advertising / UX/UI / Product Development / Strategic Planning / Leadership / Brand Management / Digital Strategy / Project Management / Presentation Design / Advertising / Online Marketing / OOH / Hand-lettering / Social Media Marketing / Typography / Packaging / Marketing Strategy /

  • 3D Lettering: Modelling and Texturising with Cinema 4D by Zigor Samaniego

    A Guide to Local Government Branding by ICMA University

    Adobe Premiere Pro for Beginners with Alex Hall

    Analogic Type Design by James Edmondson

    Animation for Typographic Logo Designs with Holke 79

    Artistic Lettering: Tips to Decorate your Letters by Joluvian

    Basic Principles of SEO by Natzir Turrado

    Bringing Old Time Alphabets to the Now by Julien Priez

    Calligraphy and Lettering for Instagram with Procreate by Nubia Navarro (nubikini)

    Characters with Character by Marta Cerdà Alimbau

    Cinema Lettering by Ivan Castro

    Creating Graphic Design Mockups by Asis

    Creative Monograms with Hope Meng

    Cursive Lettering for Logos by Martina Flor

    Design Monograms with Style by GM Meave

    Digital Lettering with Illustrator and Photoshop by Daniel Hosoya

    Diseño de Letra con Jonathan Cuervo

    Express Introduction to 3D: From Zero to Render with Cinema 4D by Zigor Samaniego

    Fileteado Porteño: Illustration and Ornamentation of Posters by Alfredo Genovese

    How to Choose Fonts by Enric Jardí

    Interactive Prototyping with Adobe XD by Ethan Parry

    Introduction to Adobe XD by Ethan Parry

    Introduction to After Effects with Carlos "Zenzuke" Albarrán

    Letras & Likes by JansArts

    Lettering con Amor by Chisko Romo

    Lettering for Perfectionists by Martina Flor

    Ornamental Lettering by Havi Cruz

    Secrets of Naming: Methodology and Creativity with Carlos Cornejo

    The ABC's of Custom Lettering by Ivan Castro

    The Golden Secrets of Lettering by Martina Flor

    Typography and Branding: Design an Iconic Logo by Quique Ollervides

  • Most Customer-Centric Approach
    Issued by Adobe & The Academy of Art University · Dec 2023 Issued by
    Adobe & The Academy of Art University · Dec 2023

    2023 Gold Winner | Navii Micromobility Branding
    2023 Gold Winner | Navii Micromobility Branding
    Issued by Hermes Creative Awards · May 2023

    MarCom Gold Award 2022 for Brewed Awakening Branding
    MarCom Gold Award 2022 for Brewed Awakening Branding
    Issued by MarCom Awards 2022 · Feb 2023

    Communicators of the Year Award
    Issued by Ragan & PR Daily's · May 2021

    Gold Hermes Award 2021 BTX Strong | State of the City 2021
    Issued by Hermes Creative Awards · Apr 2021

    Gold Hermes Award 2021 Brownsville Golf Center Branding
    Issued by Hermes Creative Awards · Apr 2021

    Honorable Mention 2021: Year in Review 2020
    Issued by Hermes Creative Awards · Apr 2021

    Silver Hermes Award 2021 for BTV Branding
    Issued by Hermes Creative Awards · Apr 2021

    Arcturus Winner — Digital Marketing - Branding / CI — Brownsville Cares
    Issued by Vega Awards · Nov 2020

    Gold Winner 2020: Identity Suite | BTX CARES
    Issued by MarCom Awards · Oct 2020

    Honorable Mention 2020: Print Media Poster | Give Me Some Space
    Issued by MarCom Awards · Oct 2020

    Silver Addy: Cross Platform/Online/Interactive - Rotology Branding
    Issued by American Advertising Federation (AAF) - ADDY Awards · Feb 2020

    Gold Addy: Cross Platform - Red Charter Buses Branding
    Issued by American Advertising Federation (AAF) - ADDY Awards · Feb 2019

    Special Judges Award: Best Branding - Red Charter Buses
    Issued by American Advertising Federation (AAF) - ADDY Awards · Feb 2019

    Student Silver Addy Award AIGA Mailer

    Issued by American Advertising Federation (AAF) - ADDY Awards · Feb 2018

    Student Silver Addy Award AIGA Poster
    Issued by American Advertising Federation (AAF) - ADDY Awards · Feb 2018

    Student Silver Addy Award Phubbing Campaign
    Issued by American Advertising Federation (AAF) - ADDY Awards · Feb 2017

  • English & Spanish