ABOUT TODD
CREATIVE DIRECTOR | GRAPHIC DESIGNER | EDUCATOR
A native of New Jersey and graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York, with a knack for driving design aesthetic, as well as overseeing the creative production supply chain to foster operational excellence. Passionate about cultivating good design and managing the brand look and feel for startups, nonprofits, corporations, and agencies, and for mentoring students to uncover their own artistic voice.
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE
FOUNDER & DESIGNER | TODD ZIMMER GRAPHIC DESIGN | GREENSBORO, NC | 2006-PRESENT
I have designed for clients across different industries and backgrounds, including MTV Networks, Gilbarco Veeder-Root, Broken Heart Dolls, Ecology Center of Berkeley, Texas Success Center, Mythology Entertainment, and many others. My role as designer for the aforementioned is as varied as the design profession can be. Samples and references provided upon request.
DESIGN LEAD, FURNITURELAND SOUTH. JAMESTOWN, NC, 2016-2017
Furnitureland South is the World’s Largest Furniture Store, and with that size comes the huge responsibility of an in-house marketing department. From national print advertising to web design to virtual reality tour planning, the in-house department does it all. Everything crafted must support the brand of Furnitureland South and a sales force of over 100 interior designers. My responsibilities crossed many disciplines and traversed numerous avenues. I have a vast portfolio of work to show.
Furnitureland South is the World’s Largest Furniture Store, and with that size comes the huge responsibility of an in-house marketing department. From national print advertising to web design to virtual reality tour planning, the in-house department does it all. Everything crafted must support the brand of Furnitureland South and a sales force of over 100 interior designers. My responsibilities crossed many disciplines and traversed numerous avenues. I have a vast portfolio of work to show.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND ART DIRECTOR
PRESERVATION GREENSBORO, INC. GREENSBORO, NC, 2015-2017
I designed membership and visitor information brochures, along with guide books, posters, billboards, and other ephemera for the annual Tour of Historic Homes & Gardens. I also developed and refined the organization’s branding for its 50th anniversary.
PRESERVATION GREENSBORO, INC. GREENSBORO, NC, 2015-2017
I designed membership and visitor information brochures, along with guide books, posters, billboards, and other ephemera for the annual Tour of Historic Homes & Gardens. I also developed and refined the organization’s branding for its 50th anniversary.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER EMPIRE PROPERTIES / EMPIRE EATS. RALEIGH, NC, 2015
Empire Properties is a brokerage firm with properties all over the Raleigh and Durham area, while Empire Eats is a subsidiary that houses six restaurants with five unique concepts. Additionally, there is a catering company, several food trucks, and no fewer than three event spaces. I served as the in-house design director for all things related to Empire. A shortlist of responsibilities includes the design and direction of exterior signage, posters, check presenters, menus, restaurant-related premiums, logo and identity systems, brochures, web design, and interoffice design needs.
Empire Properties is a brokerage firm with properties all over the Raleigh and Durham area, while Empire Eats is a subsidiary that houses six restaurants with five unique concepts. Additionally, there is a catering company, several food trucks, and no fewer than three event spaces. I served as the in-house design director for all things related to Empire. A shortlist of responsibilities includes the design and direction of exterior signage, posters, check presenters, menus, restaurant-related premiums, logo and identity systems, brochures, web design, and interoffice design needs.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER, RIVENDELL BICYCLE WORKS. WALNUT CREEK, CA 2007-2014
I’ve designed graphics and other products for Rivendell, such as head badges and decals for the following bike models: Bombadil, Betty Foy, Sam Hillborne, Simpleone, Quickbeam, Renovelo, and more. My other projects included pin-back buttons, brochures, business cards, t-shirts, and more.
I’ve designed graphics and other products for Rivendell, such as head badges and decals for the following bike models: Bombadil, Betty Foy, Sam Hillborne, Simpleone, Quickbeam, Renovelo, and more. My other projects included pin-back buttons, brochures, business cards, t-shirts, and more.
DESIGNER, HIPPY COMIX. RICHMOND, CA 2001-2004
Print and production designer for this alternative comic book publisher. Published several titles and reissued long out-of-print and hard-to-find comic books from the 1960s and 1970s. Traveled to comic conventions to promote the company, dealt with artists and talent from all over the world. Dealt with vendors and commercial printers to get the job done on time and within budget.
Print and production designer for this alternative comic book publisher. Published several titles and reissued long out-of-print and hard-to-find comic books from the 1960s and 1970s. Traveled to comic conventions to promote the company, dealt with artists and talent from all over the world. Dealt with vendors and commercial printers to get the job done on time and within budget.
TEACHING AND LECTURING
DESIGN INSTRUCTOR, GUILFORD TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE. JAMESTOWN, NC 2017-2020
I’ve led classes in Typography I & II and Graphic Design I with class sizes ranging from 12-20 eager-to-learn students. I’ve taught and developed lessons based on real-world design experience and carefully curated resources. I have worked with peers both inside and outside the program on planning and implementing projects and lessons.
I’ve led classes in Typography I & II and Graphic Design I with class sizes ranging from 12-20 eager-to-learn students. I’ve taught and developed lessons based on real-world design experience and carefully curated resources. I have worked with peers both inside and outside the program on planning and implementing projects and lessons.
GUEST LECTURER, HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY, HIGH POINT, NC 2018-2021
Through my collecting of underground and alternative ephemera and publications, and my vast knowledge of alternative culture from the 1960s through 1990s, I have had the honor of showcasing my collection through a workshop and presentation for design students at HPU. Students use what they learn to produce and distribute self-published ‘zines and comics.
Through my collecting of underground and alternative ephemera and publications, and my vast knowledge of alternative culture from the 1960s through 1990s, I have had the honor of showcasing my collection through a workshop and presentation for design students at HPU. Students use what they learn to produce and distribute self-published ‘zines and comics.
INSTRUCTOR AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER, OAKLAND SCHOOL OF THE ARTS. OAKLAND, CA 2005-2006
Taught art history classes for this unique art charter school located in historic Downtown Oakland’s Fox Theater, mentoring visual art and design students, while serving as a staff designer for the school.
Taught art history classes for this unique art charter school located in historic Downtown Oakland’s Fox Theater, mentoring visual art and design students, while serving as a staff designer for the school.
LAB INSTRUCTOR AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER
EX’PRESSION COLLEGE FOR DIGITAL ARTS. EMERYVILLE, CA 2004-2005
Conducted five sections of lab instruction for classes in Digital Graphic Design and Motion Graphics. I was also on hand and available to lead graphic design projects for the school.
EX’PRESSION COLLEGE FOR DIGITAL ARTS. EMERYVILLE, CA 2004-2005
Conducted five sections of lab instruction for classes in Digital Graphic Design and Motion Graphics. I was also on hand and available to lead graphic design projects for the school.
INSTRUCTOR, LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL. OAKLAND, CA 2003-2004
After school program instructor in Cartoon Art and Animation. Class size varied between 10 and 20 students.
After school program instructor in Cartoon Art and Animation. Class size varied between 10 and 20 students.
SKILLS AND EXPERTISE
Typography, design for print, page layout, front-end web development, icon design, and prototyping. Computer skills include all versions of Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Lightroom. All versions of Microsoft Office: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Office 365. Professional, educational, and personal background in illustration, cartooning, fine art, and photography.
EDUCATION
BFA, Illustration and Cartooning, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
Graduate Study, School of Graphic Design, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Workshops and Design retreats with the AIGA.
Faculty in Training at GTCC, Jamestown, NC
PUBLISHED AND EXHIBITED WORKS
Published illustration in High Energy Rock & Roll: The Art of Electric Frankenstein, Dark Horse Books, Milwaukie, Oregon
Showcased in Bookmarks: Infiltrating the Library System, the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
100x100 Center for Visual Arts Greensboro NC
Published work in several issues of .in*, Charlotte NC
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
INNERACT PROJECT
I had the responsibility to instruct and educate several groups of preteen and teenage students in the fundamentals of graphic design.
AIGA TRIAD
Recruit and lead volunteers, while serving on the Board of Directors for the local chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
WQFS, GUILFORD COLLEGE
I have a weekly radio show that broadcasts on WQFS 90.9, the Guilford College radio station. WQFS serves the city of Greensboro, N.C., and surrounding Triad communities. Through a robust social network presence on Instagram and Facebook, my listeners are worldwide.