ABOUT ME
My name is Brad Richlen and I am a professional Art Director, Illustrator, and Artist living in Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Brad Richlen Brands was created from my intention to find ways to connect others through design and art direction. My career has taken several twists and turns into industries outside of Design, specifically Art Education and a 6-year stint in hospitality as a Bartender, and these experiences have made me a more well-rounded individual and strengthened my drive to create more great things for more people.
I relish collaboration and I am a creative person through and through. In addition to being an Art Director and Graphic Designer, I am also an Illustrator and Fine Artist, blending these expertise in my work. I run my own personal brands and use my specialized visual communication skills and critical thinking to help other like-minded people, brands, and businesses find their most authentic selves.
My motto is “Be yourself, the rest will follow.”
We all win by supporting each other, and I strive everyday to be present and responsive to the world I find myself in, a champion for what I truly believe in.
Please reach out if you would like to set up a meeting to discuss how we can work together.
EXPERIENCE
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Kane Communications Group
11/2022 - Present
Milwaukee, WI
Brand Development: Create brand identities, guidelines, copy, and integrated campaigns across print, digital, and environmental media.
Creative Design: Produce and manage web/app interfaces, social content, motion graphics, video, and out-of-home advertising.
UI/UX Design: Lead interface design in Figma; collaborate with developers on WordPress, Squarespace, Shopify, and Wix builds with performance optimization.
Project Leadership: Oversee creative project management, process development, and cross-functional collaboration to increase efficiency.
Team Development: Recruit, train, and mentor creative interns, supporting skill growth and operational needs.
Emerging Technology: Integrate generative AI tools (Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, ChatGPT) to enhance creative capabilities and output quality.
2025 Blue Pencil Award winner from the National Association of Government Communicators for excellence in government communications.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, ILLUSTRATOR & ARTIST
Ghost Hand
01/2014 - Present
Milwaukee, WI
Creative Direction: Lead design, illustration, and product development for Ghost Hand brand.
Marketing & E-Commerce: Manage web, social media, photography, copywriting, and online sales initiatives.
Freelance Projects: Execute art and design work across traditional, digital, and emerging media.
Event Collaboration: Plan and coordinate annual pop-up artist and maker sales with small business partners.
Brand Promotion: Sell merchandise at local public markets, enhancing visibility and audience engagement.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER & PREPRESS OPERATOR
Colonial Quality Printing
02/2022 - 11/2022
Milwaukee, WI
Graphic Design: Created promotional, marketing, and publication materials while managing projects and client communications.
Prepress & Print Production: Prepared digital/offset files, CMYK separations, large-format prints, vinyl cutting, and specialty finishing.
Equipment & Software Management: Operated and maintained commercial digital printers and RIP software.
Invoicing & Mailing: Processed job billing in QuickBooks and executed full-service direct/mass mail campaigns.
Client Support: Served local and national clients in a union print shop environment.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
UWM Retail Operations
11/2016 - 03/2017
Milwaukee, WI
Graphic Design: Created digital and print marketing materials for the UWM Panther Shop while maintaining brand standards.
Brand Development: Collaborated with the Creative Director to establish cohesive visual aesthetics aligned with UWM guidelines.
Photography & Layouts: Captured, retouched, and designed merchandise images, modular layouts, posters, banners, and social media content.
CREATIVE CONTRACTOR
Kohl's Corporation
09/2014 - 11/2016
Menomonee Falls, WI
Social Media Designer (12/2015–11/2016): Created multi-platform social content (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat); edited photography and designed illustrations in collaboration with vendors, stylists, and Art Directors.
Digital Designer (12/2014–12/2015): Designed homepage and mobile app UI; partnered with Project Managers and Creative Director to maintain cohesive digital brand identity.
Print Production Designer (09/2014–12/2014): Produced weekly print mailer layouts and detailed InDesign files for national marketing campaigns, ensuring accurate product and campaign versioning.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE PECK SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Graphic Design & Visual Communication
Minors: English & Art History (Spring 2014)
Post-Bacc. Art Education Teacher Certification (Spring 2018)
EXPERTISE
Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Canva, Microsoft Office (Mac/PC)
Print & Digital Production: File preparation, packaging, and export for multi-channel applications
Project Management: Coordinate multiple projects simultaneously with strong time-management skills
Digital Illustration & AI: Advanced Procreate illustration; create assets with Adobe Firefly AI (Text-to-Image, Generative Fill, vector generation)
Social Media & Branding: Develop templates, visual content, and copy for campaigns
Promotional Strategy: Ideate merchandise and implement guerrilla marketing techniques
LET'S GET SOCIAL
