Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Exhibitions
Timeline
Generic

Derek Edwards

Myrtle Beach,SC

Summary

Creative professional driven by high standards and results-oriented mindset. Skilled in conceptualizing and executing innovative campaigns, with strong focus on team collaboration and adapting to evolving project needs. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, combining strategic vision with practical design skills to deliver impactful outcomes. Reliable and adaptable, excelling in environments that demand creativity and precision.

Experienced with strategic vision and creative leadership. Utilizes innovative design and brand development to elevate projects. Track record of fostering collaborative environments and producing high-impact visual content.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Owner/Creative Director

DE EVENT COMPANY
10.2018 - Current
  • Elevated company reputation through consistent delivery of high-quality creative content and customized product for more than 30+ events.
  • Monitored industry trends to keep creative materials fresh and engaging.
  • Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts, and costs for several multi-million dollar events.
  • Championed a culture of creativity, encouraging team members to take risks and push boundaries in their work.
  • Managed multiple events with specific focuses in order to meet customer needs and creative visions.

Operations Manager

Blossoms Events
04.2018 - 10.2018
  • Supervised operations staff and kept 20+ employees compliant with company policies and procedures.
  • Empowered employees to take ownership of their responsibilities, leading to increased accountability and improved performance outcomes.
  • Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them in house and on event sites.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with external vendors and suppliers including production, floral, catering and entertainment.
  • Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.

Fabricator

Diamond Building Services
11.2017 - 04.2018
  • Managed project timelines and resources to complete work on time and within budget and client suggestions.
  • Maintained high levels of client satisfaction, delivering projects that consistently met or exceeded expectations.
  • Improved project outcomes by meticulously selecting appropriate and economic materials for each task.
  • Completed projects including Tile Work, Landscape, Construction, & Design

Editor/Designer

Carolina Mugshots magazine
01.2013 - 10.2017
  • Direct planning with image placement and content for 6 individual publications distributed regionally.
  • Work proficiently and accurately under a tight deadline printing daily.
  • Managed multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery within budget constraints.
  • Presented creative solutions to client challenges, resulting in high levels of client satisfaction and repeat business opportunities.

Server/Bartender

Enoodles & Co.
01.2012 - 10.2017
  • Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
  • Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.

Intern/Studio Assistant

Mudbucket Pottery
01.2013 - 06.2017
  • Instructor/Owner John Johnson - Special techniques with chemical additives in glaze production.
  • Practice with kiln maintenance and mechanical operations.
  • Further development and strategies of intermediate throwing skills.
  • Gained valuable experience working within a specific industry, applying learned concepts directly into relevant work situations.

Art Director

The Chanticleer newspaper
01.2012 - 05.2013
  • Responsible for designing the tabloid template and each page layout, including color, visual and text placement (22 issues)
  • Orchestrated thorough page transmission and site management.
  • Extremely efficient with multi-tasking for a fast-paced and demanding publication with a weekly deadline.

Graphic Designer

LUSCA Studio
01.2012 - 12.2012
  • Illustrated and designed detailed company proposals and graphics within the university setting.
  • Provided facets for branding options and research development.
  • Attended weekly meetings to discuss collaborative design solutions for Athenaeum Press.

Head Server/Food Preparation

Ciao
01.2010 - 12.2012

Bartender

Mellow Mushroom
01.2009 - 12.2010

Store Manager/Visual

American Eagle Outfitters
01.2007 - 12.2009
  • Managed high volume stores that averaged $6-19 million in sales annually.
  • Spearheaded facets of Inventory, Sales Analysis, Training, and Payroll.
  • Developed visual standard to elevate appearance of retail space.

Bartender/Garde Manger

Heirloom
01.2006 - 12.2007

Visual Representative

Puma Blackstore
01.2006 - 12.2006

Visual Coordinator

Club Monaco/Polo Ralph Lauren
01.2005 - 12.2006
  • Managed the visual concepts department for a high fashion retail outlet.
  • Maintained a consistent image to appeal to each of brand's consumers.
  • Inspected visual marketing daily to ensure effectiveness and quality.

Associate Store Manager

Pacific Sunwear
01.2004 - 12.2005

Store Manager

Abercrombie & Fitch
01.2002 - 12.2004
  • Managed high volume stores that averaged $10-25 million in sales annually.
  • Spearheaded facets of Inventory, Sales Analysis, Training, and Payroll.
  • Developed visual standard to elevate appearance of retail space.

Assistant Manager

Hollister Co.
01.2001 - 12.2002

Head Lifeguard

Myrtle Waves Waterpark
01.2000 - 12.2001

Education

B.A. - Graphic Design

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC
01.2013

Skills

  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • 5D Planner Software
  • Apple Pages
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Relationship building
  • Customer relations
  • Project management
  • Operations management
  • Strategic planning
  • Project estimating
  • Staff hiring
  • Business development
  • Product branding
  • Employee development
  • Operations oversight
  • Hiring and onboarding
  • Staff training/development
  • Budget control
  • Team leadership
  • Design coordination
  • Strategic project planning
  • Administrative oversight
  • Consulting
  • Desktops, laptops, and mobile devices

Exhibitions

  • Untitled, 2013, Tempo Magazine, Conway, SC
  • Mother, 2013, Archarios Literary Art Magazine, Conway, SC
  • Mural Painting commission, 2013, Lick's Ice Cream, Surfside Beach, SC
  • Hidden Identity, 2013, SAS Spring Exhibition, Conway, SC
  • United, 2012, Majer Ltd., London

Timeline

Owner/Creative Director

DE EVENT COMPANY
10.2018 - Current

Operations Manager

Blossoms Events
04.2018 - 10.2018

Fabricator

Diamond Building Services
11.2017 - 04.2018

Editor/Designer

Carolina Mugshots magazine
01.2013 - 10.2017

Intern/Studio Assistant

Mudbucket Pottery
01.2013 - 06.2017

Server/Bartender

Enoodles & Co.
01.2012 - 10.2017

Art Director

The Chanticleer newspaper
01.2012 - 05.2013

Graphic Designer

LUSCA Studio
01.2012 - 12.2012

Head Server/Food Preparation

Ciao
01.2010 - 12.2012

Bartender

Mellow Mushroom
01.2009 - 12.2010

Store Manager/Visual

American Eagle Outfitters
01.2007 - 12.2009

Bartender/Garde Manger

Heirloom
01.2006 - 12.2007

Visual Representative

Puma Blackstore
01.2006 - 12.2006

Visual Coordinator

Club Monaco/Polo Ralph Lauren
01.2005 - 12.2006

Associate Store Manager

Pacific Sunwear
01.2004 - 12.2005

Store Manager

Abercrombie & Fitch
01.2002 - 12.2004

Assistant Manager

Hollister Co.
01.2001 - 12.2002

Head Lifeguard

Myrtle Waves Waterpark
01.2000 - 12.2001

B.A. - Graphic Design

Coastal Carolina University

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