Rodney C.

Williams

703.283.9712 | rcwcomm@gmail.com
rcwcomm.wix.com/rodneyc

CAREER OBJECTIVES:
Dedicated creative services professional with over 20 years of expertise producing award-winning multimedia
products for a variety of audiences. Experienced leading teams in conceptualizing, developing, editing and
producing print and multimedia communications from concept to final completion. Committed to overseeing,
managing and utilizing methods and strategies that enable creative teams to generate high level innovative
products that advance the brand and produce impactful storytelling.

EXPERIENCE:
President & Creative Director | RCW Communication Design Inc. | (1986 Present)
Founded and led an innovative full-service multimedia communications design firm that produced
nearly 100 award-winning products, specializing in serving federal and local government, science
and health industries, academic and non-profit organizations.
Managed and directed teams in the creation of hundreds of print/collateral and web production,
branding, multimedia, exhibit, storytelling and marketing products.
Provided leadership and strategic planning, implemented policies and procedures, maintained visual
standards compliance, final editing reviews and resolved conflicts to ensure quality products.
Ensured staff development through regular quality assurance reviews including software training,
technical skill courses, creative design reviews, staff transitions, and personnel workplans.
Directed multiple fast-paced concurrent design projects on deadline and budget using project status
meetings, production schedule tracking, and cost analysis reviews by establishing clear policy and
procedures to maintain consistency in creative production.
Created multimedia products for diverse audiences including bilingual products, handicapped
accessible materials, and materials targeting youth, seniors, and minority communities.
Developed exhibit design products including overseeing exhibit installation, design 3D custom
products, and creating traveling products.
Experienced communicating and presenting concepts with senior staff, editors, writers, publishers,
designers, photographers, artists, printers, illustrators, web developers, scientists and vendors.
Recruited and maintained a diverse array of satisfied and repeat clients. Sample client list includes:
U.S. Department of Education
Washington University in St. Louis
U.S. Agency for International Development
Washington Adventist University
U.S. Department of the Army
Howard University & HU Hospital
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Alexandria Public Schools
JFK Center for the Performing Arts
NAACP
Adjunct Professor | Bowie State University | (2014 Present)
Taught undergraduate course on Introduction to Graphic communication including developing
specialized projects on color theory, typography, branding, advertising,
Brought in outside design and communications expert for design critiques, industry experiences,
and student development.
Design Director | Science 80 Science 86 Magazine | (1979 1986)
Established and maintained the communication methodologies, policies, and standards of practice,
core design philosophy, and visual direction for the magazine.
Oversaw the art and photography departments staff and budgets for a 700,000+ circulation.
Developed conceptual concepts, commissioned and procured photographs and illustrations and
information graphics for each publication.
Reviewed final issues of each magazine to ensure fidelity to mission and creative philosophy.
Managed and coordinated between internal and external designers, reporters, writers,
photographers, and scientists (example,1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens Volcano).
Prepared, commissioned, and procured photographs, illustrations, drawings, artwork, charts,
diagrams, maps, and other materials for articles and publications.
Awarded National Magazine Award for General Excellence for Science 82 and Science 83.
Awarded first runner-up National Magazine Award for Design for Science 83.

Rodney C. Williams

703.283.9712 | rcwcomm@gmail.com
rcwcomm.wix.com/rodneyc

Associate Art Director | CHICAGO Magazine | (1977 1979)

Developed strategic marketing and promotional collateral for the magazine and magazines parent
company, Chicagos WFMT radio station.
Established infrastructure -grid and format- of CHICAGO Magazine.
Presented design strategies, objectives, and message to internal and external audiences.
Supervised typography, layouts, artwork and color proofs.
Created an internship program with the local Chicago area universities to develop professional
pipeline of junior designers into the company.

SKILLS:
Adobe Creative Suite
(InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat)
Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)
QuarkXPress
Adobe Flash and Dreamweaver*
HTML

508 Compliancy Standards*

jQuery*
Drupal*
Joomla*
Audicity*
*supervised program utilization

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Fine Arts, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
HTML 1 Continuing education class, Web Development

SELECTED AWARDS & HONORS:

Fellow of AIGA: American Institute of Graphic Arts, 2010

The Davey Award International Academy of Visual Arts, 2011
Secretary of the Army Award for Publications Improvement, 2010
The Communicators Award, Graphic Design USA
American Graphic Design & Advertising Award
American Association of Museums Award
The Art Directors Club Silver Medal
Print Regional Design Annual Award
Washington Editors Press Award

SELECTED AFFILIATIONS:

Fellow & Member AIGA, American Institute of Graphic Arts

Advisory Board Member Art Institute of Washington
Advisory Board Member Northern Virginia Community College Communications
Member Organization of Black Designers: Washington, DC Chapter

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES:
Competition Judge
The Art Directors Club (New York)
Rx Club of New York
Illustrators Club of DC
Advertising Club of St. Louis, MO
Communications Speaker
Art Institute of Washington
Advertising Club of Delaware
American Advertising Federation

American Graphic Design and Advertising

American Association of Museums
Council for the Advancement and Support of Education

Maryland Institute College of Art & Design (MICA)

Council for the Advancement and Support of Education

Portfolio Reviewer
Numerous Universities in DC, Maryland, and Virginia

Portfolio available online, References available upon request.