My name is Zachary Selter and I am a creative professional based out of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
With over a decade of experience within the field of graphic design, teaming up with everyone from copywriters and photographers to animators, and CGI artists, I am able to bring together various disciplines to create impactful and effective solutions to my client’s creative challenges. Whether it’s overall company branding, a multimedia marketing campaign, or a single social media event, my goal is to make the world a better (or at least more beautiful) place through thoughtful and informed visual communication.
Experience
Hillsdale Furniture
Art Director
March 2020 – December 2021 / Louisville, KY
Oversaw all visual aspects of evolving company branding, while developing design standards and guidelines. Also worked with CGI artists and photographers to create consistent imagery, and handled day-to-day interdepartmental design needs.
The Power Agency
Art Director
September 2015 – January 2020 / Louisville, KY
Worked individually and collaboratively with other artists to develop marketing campaigns, brand identities, photoshoots, and interactive media for clients such as Lennox, United Technologies, and General Electric.
Peritus Public Relations
Senior Designer
March 2008 – July 2015 / Louisville, KY
Designed advertising, collateral, PR materials, branding, and websites for a range of clients including the Louisville Marriott, University of Louisville Foundation, and several non-profits.
Education
Kansas City Art Institute
Bachelor Fine Arts: Design
Fall 2000 – Spring 2004
Kansas City, MO
Skills
What makes me a good designer is informed critical thinking, strong conceptual output, attention to details, and the ability to consider from other points of view.
Layout, Typography, InDesign
Illustration, Signs & Symbols, Illustrator
Manipulation, Retouching, Photoshop
Animation, Scripting, After Effects
Web Design, Interface, Sketchup
Editing, Copywriting, Microsoft Office
Clients
Philosophy
Make Creative Matter
It’s a phrase I hit on randomly one day and I like the double meaning it imparts. I feel they are both important aspects of who I am and how I work.
mat•ter | noun
physical substance in general, as distinct from mind and spirit; (in physics) that which occupies space and possesses rest mass, esp. as distinct from energy.
The act of creation is essential to man, and we all participate in the process whether we realize it or not. Everything from the complexity of new life to the simple task of putting words together to express thought is a creative act. Without the human capacity for creativity we wouldn’t have made it into the stone age, and the only way we will continue advancing is to exercise our brains and use that creative impulse we all have. Whether we’re doing it for ourselves or for a client, we should sharpen whatever skills we have and harness the inspiration when it comes. If we’re lucky enough, maybe we can find a way to turn that constant drive into a means to maintain our livelihoods.
mat•ter; verb
be of importance; have significance.
It is not enough to call ourselves designers simply because we know how to use the tools of the trade, if we do not give thought for what our creations are and how they will be used. Just as inventing a new word means nothing without an established structure for understanding, a design intended to convey a specific message or function will fail without an appreciation of its purpose. To make our designs successful, we must practice discipline and creativity while focusing on the details. We must be informed about the product, the client, and the audience, and strive to make something that effectively and, we hope, beautifully communicates the intended message in a meaningful way