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Brian Kurklin

Director of Graphic Design Senior Graphic Designer

Design is about problem-solving.

13 years of shaping brands — from entrepreneurs starting their first business and a regional healthcare company navigating rapid growth to the political action committees of Fortune 50 brands. I lead the creative process from first sketch to final production, and I measure the work by what it achieves.

See the case studies Résumé
Portrait of Brian Kurklin
  • Brand Strategy
  • Visual Identity
  • Integrated Campaigns
  • Digital
  • Print
  • Motion
  • Environmental
Years of experience in brand and campaign design
13
Pollie Awards from the American Association of Political Consultants, 2024–2026
12
Raised by GM PAC in the election cycle my 2024 campaign kicked off
$3M
Locations supported while leading design at Good Shepherd Hospice
17→28
PAC membership growth from the Settlers of Leidos campaign
+24%

How I work

Creative leadership, start to finish

Brand Strategy | Visual Identity | Integrated Campaigns | Digital | Print | Motion | Environmental

01

Lead the process

From leading creative direction, to communicating design vision with executives and key decision-makers, to coordinating with cross-functional teams, to mentoring junior designers, to working with production and vendors, I have experience leading the creative process from start to finish.

02

Design that works

I have produced award-winning work while placing client needs above ego-driven results, focusing on design that is effective.

03

Systems, data, research

Design is about problem-solving. I pride myself on developing systems-based, data-driven, well-researched creative solutions to the problems clients and companies actually face.

04

A business mindset

I bring a business mindset to my work, looking for cost efficiencies, streamlining processes, and focusing on objectives. Technologies change, but fundamental design principles are timeless. I leverage the tools of the time — AI included — to create sound design solutions.

Selected work

Case Studies

Each study walks through the challenge, my role, the process, and the results — rebrands, multi-year campaigns, and an in-house department built for scale.

In motion

Motion Reel

Good Shepherd Campaign Highlight Reel

Experience

Where I’ve led

In-house leadership, agency-side campaigns for Fortune 50 PACs, and eight years running my own branding consultancy.

Download full résumé

  1. Dec 2022 – Jun 2026

    Senior Graphic Designer Sagac Public Affairs

    • Created Pollie Award-winning campaigns and designs for the Political Action Committees of Fortune 50 companies and top trade associations, leading to donor receipts of $200,000 to $1 million+.
    • Led the rebranding of Sagac Public Affairs, a 25-year-old industry-leading public affairs firm, modernizing its visual identity while preserving brand recognition and market leadership.
    • Designed annual reports, email campaigns, signage, and motion assets for PAC clients, supporting integrated fundraising and brand messaging across multiple channels.

  2. Dec 2018 – Dec 2022

    Director of Graphic Design Good Shepherd Hospice

    • Partnered daily with C-suite officers, compliance personnel, executive directors, office managers, and consultants to develop new materials that led to increased patient numbers, patient care quality, and maintained compliance with Medicare regulations.
    • Supervised and mentored one direct-report graphic designer, establishing creative standards, reviewing work, and improving overall team output.
    • Managed print production and online collateral catalogs for over thirty locations in four states, and implemented a new ticketing system that improved turnaround times by 24–72 hours.

  3. Sep 2014 – Nov 2022

    Principal Partner Sedulous Design

    • Founded and operated a branding consultancy serving 30 entrepreneurs and small businesses.
    • Directed client strategy, brand development, project management, and business operations, developing complete visual identity systems across print and digital platforms.

  4. Jun 2013 – Aug 2014

    Intern, then Designer 1260 Productions

  5. Education

    University of Oklahoma

    • Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication
    • Bachelor of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship and Venture Management — Summa Cum Laude

Recognition

Pollie Awards

American Association of Political Consultants

  • 20262 Gold & 2 Silver
  • 20253 Silver & 4 Bronze
  • 20241 Silver
  • Gold — Best Use of Email Fundraising Settlers of Leidos
  • Silver — Best Logo + Branding Settlers of Leidos
  • Silver — Most Original/Innovative Collateral Material Settlers of Leidos
  • Bronze — Overall Best Fundraising Public Affairs/Issue Advocacy Division GM PAC
  • Bronze — Best Fundraising for Independent Committee, PAC, or Super PAC GM PAC
  • Silver — Best Fundraising for Independent Committee, PAC, or Super PAC WABPAC Bracket Bonanza
  • Silver — Fundraising Best Use of Email WABPAC Bracket Bonanza

Capabilities

Toolkit

Brand & Design

  • Creative Direction
  • Visual Identity Systems
  • Brand Management
  • Print Design
  • Digital Design
  • Motion Design
  • Environmental Design
  • Typography

Production & Marketing

  • Stakeholder Management
  • Vendor Management
  • Campaign Development
  • Production Workflow
  • Print Production Management
  • Email Marketing
  • Copywriting
  • Project Management
  • Data Analysis

Tools & Technical

  • After Effects
  • Premiere Pro
  • InDesign
  • Illustrator
  • Photoshop
  • HTML & CSS
  • Responsive HTML Email
  • WordPress
  • MS Office

Also familiar with

  • Figma
  • Canva
  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Firefly
  • Gemini

From the archive

Older Work

Earlier identity, packaging and campaign work, including client projects from my years running Sedulous Design.

Hiring for creative leadership?

Let’s build something effective together.

Open to Creative Director, Associate Creative Director, Senior Brand Designer and Senior Graphic Designer roles.

Get in touchRésumé (PDF)LinkedIn