Making connections that deliver transformative results through disruptive marketing innovation
LAMONT SLEDGE
ART DIRECTOR • BRAND STRATEGIST
SOLUTIONIST
GUY YOU WANT TO HAVE A BEER WITH AFTER WORK
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
• Instructional Design
• Project and Budget Management
Art Composition Strategist and Creator
• Adobe Creative Suites Master (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign)
Brand Strategy/Design/Management
• Qualitative and Quantitative Marketing Research Optimization
• Skilled People Manager
• Marketing Strategy and Implementation
• Human-Center Design
EDUCATION
Virginia Commonwealth University Bachelor of Fine ArtsCommunications Arts and Design
James Madison University Certificate of Educational Technology Master of Education - Concentration in Technology - GPA: 3.97
PORTFOLIO
www.bit.ly/Sledgeportfolio
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
• Data-Driven Creative Leader
• Innovative and Entrepreneurial Business Strategist
• Team Builder with Customer-Centric Coaching Approach
• Masterful in the Art of Persuasion
LaMont E. Sledge
PROFILE
www.linkedin.com/in/lamontsledgein
Art Director Brand Strategist Solutionist
804.247.4964 • Richmond, Virginia lamont@lamontsledge.com
I am an experienced innovator, social disruptor, and creative marketing industry founder with more than 20 years in the industry. While most recently leading marketing and communications for a multi-million-dollar regional faith-based nonprofit organization serving more than 10K people annually, I also founded SledgeHammer Designs, a creative boutique shop specializing in serving the needs of start-up organizations, social impact companies, and workforce solutions enterprises. I’ve helped clients shape their brands, often from concept to creation, with a focus on competitive marketplace positioning, growth strategy, culture curation, user experience, responsive design, client management, and profit and loss management. Category experience cuts across several industries, including technology and telecommunications, higher education, healthcare, nonprofit, retail, sports and entertainment, and the faith community.
02/2003 - PRESENT | Creative Services Manager | The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church
• Lead a team of more than 20 staff and volunteers to manage the overall creative identity of one of Virginia’s largest multi-campus, faith-based corporation
• Plan and coordinate the “agency-style” in-house operations of the communications team, including marketing, advertising, responsive creative design, digital, user experience, social, video and print
• Develop creative voice and vision to meet organizational and operational objectives for the 16,000+ member faith-based organization responsible for more than 7.5M in annual revenue Lead all brand strategy and execution, including most recently, two brand revitalization efforts and multiple data-driven/ projectbased marketing communications initiatives that resulted in 15 consecutive years of annual membership increases of 10% or greater
02/2002 - PRESENT | Freelance Art Director | Sledgehammer Designs
• Guide clients through the development of responsive design strategies and tactics that compel customer engagement with their company’s mission
• Apply a human-centered design approach to developing brand strategy and creative execution
• Deploy our unique methodology to elevate and integrate storytelling that amplifies the brand’s uniqueness
• Apply design principles and strategies through a data-driven process to ensure continuous brand engagement and growth for clients
02/2011 - 07/2012 | Adjunct Professor | ECPI Technical College
Led students on their journey of learning Adobe Creative Suites as a preferred design tool
• Developed instructional design and curriculum, created learning plans, and evaluated assignments to assess students’ readiness for the marketplace Coached students through their learning, and prepared creatives for to enter the workforce with expertise in creative design
12/2002 - 11/2004 | Graphic Designer/Art Director | Planet Central Advertising
• Managed and implemented multiple, concurrent projects across the different stages of design Ensured that quality and brand consistency was maintained throughout the entire production process
• Earned promotion from Graphic Designer to Art Director in one year as a result of superior performance and demonstrated ability to master complex concepts and leadership roles
04/1999 - 02/2002 | Graphic Designer | Verizon Information Systems
• Created quality products in a fast pace environment while supporting a sales staff of 15 for 39 publications in several cities
07/1997 - 04/1999 | Graphic Designer | American Paper Group
• Developed creative concepts for catalogs, brochures, and direct mail pieces
5/1996 - 4/1999 | Graphic Designer/Art & Production Director | The Richmond Informer
• Directed the operations of a full-color leisure directory
• Recruited and managed the creative team of
• Earned promotion from Graphic Designer to Production Director within one year following superior performance and demonstrated ability to maintain the creative direction and expectations of leadership
Bio
I am an experienced innovator, social disruptor, and creative marketing industry founder with over 20 years in the industry. While most recently leading marketing and communications for a multi-million-dollar regional nonprofit organization serving more than 10K people annually, I also founded SledgeHammer Designs, a creative boutique shop specializing in serving the needs of start-up organizations, social impact companies, and workforce solutions enterprises. I’ve helped clients shape their brands, often from concept to creation, focusing on positioning, growth strategy, culture curation, responsive design, client management, and profit and loss management. Category experience cuts across several industries, including technology and telecommunications, higher education, healthcare, nonprofit, and the faith industry.
My work philosophy is simple: meet clients where they are, and respond to their specific needs. I take a human-centered design approach to address clients’ needs: listen, ideate, design, build, and launch. Foundational to this approach is the ability to map creative strategies customized to client needs and drive creative influence and vision to bring ideas to life. I have a proven track record of producing breakthrough work for organizations such as Verizon, Virginia Union University, and Schar Cancer Institute, to name a few. In addition, as creative manager for one of Virginia’s largest faith-based organizations, I’ve led two brand revitalization efforts and multiple data-driven, project-based marketing communications initiatives, resulting in 15 consecutive years of annual membership increases of 10% or greater.
Technology informs the way we create and can help amplify the smallest budgets. With an advanced degree in education technology from James Madison University, I work continuously to sharpen the relevant skills needed to lead clients in optimizing customer experience through datadriven and cost-effective strategies. In addition, as a creative design instructor in Higher Ed, I live and teach by the fundamental principles of human-centered design, as it is the foundation for both the art and science of creative execution.
Inspiring and empowering the next generation of creatives is a passion for me. Whether in a volunteer experiential learning environment or as an adjunct university professor, remaining in touch with the evolving skills required for the marketplace, inspiring teams to innovate, and training emerging creatives in the relevant skills for marketers and designers is my most significant contribution to the industry. By combining the knowledge of today’s ever-changing classroom with the skills I’ve learned through experience, I create solutions that help clients across industries impact and change the world for the better.
Connecting Members with a Family of Faith
The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church
As the brand manager for more that 20 years, at The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church, I lead every aspect of how the faith community is presented and engaged. From strategy to execution, I’ve led the team responsible for creating the organization’s identity. As a result, we’ve grown to raise more than 7.5M annually, and support a mem bership of more than 16,000 people.
Connecting donors with a reason to give
INOVA Schar Cancer Institute launched its capital campaign with a 12K-per-plate gala honoring former president George W. Bush. Sledgehammer Designs assisted with the launch of the center by creating and managing print for premier invitations which were designed to entice and inspire participation from some of the nation’s top philanthropists.
Art Direction • Print - Subcontract work for Collins Hayes AgencyINOVA Hero’s Bowl
The INOVA Hero’s Bowl reached a different type of donor. Through this assignment, Sledgehammer Designs created a graphic treatment to promote the hospital system’s annual Hero Bowl, where seven teams of firefighters competed in a flag football tournament to raise funds for indigent care within the hospital system.
Connecting a Legacy HBCU Brand with Students Virginia Union University
At the onset of the pandemic, Virginia Union University recognized a desperate need to make their brand more cohesive in the digital space. This transition would make it easier for potential students to find and connect with them. I helped integrate the brand visually across all schools, programs, and departments.
Photo by Ayasha Sledge VIRGINIAConnecting Customers with the Comfort of Home
Ms. Girlee’s Restaurant
Nothing says “home” like good food. That’s why Sledgehammer Designs worked with Ms. Girlee’s Kitchen to launch brand assets which position and promote her southern-style restaurant as the premiere establishment for the best soul food in Virginia.
Branding • Print • Digital • Web Design • Art Direction: Second website by Steepe MediaHenrico County Public Schools
DIGITAL
Connecting to a Cultural Moment
John Rolfe Middle School
Like many schools and organizations, John Rolfe Middle School decided to replace the school mascot. Prior to this assignment, the symbol of school pride had been a caricature of a Native American. I worked with the school to integrate the voice of the customer, in this case the students, to create a school brand image that was welcoming and inclusive to all people. This collaboration helped improve positive sentiment, as all school stakeholders worked together to embrace the new school identity.
Art Direction: LaMont Sledge. Illustration: Alex Parker and LaMont SledgeConnecting Families for a Fresh Start
Montrose Elementary School
IN 2022, Montrose Elementary welcomed its new principal, Mrs. Willis. While budget was limited, the new leader felt very strongly about refreshing the visual images in order to infuse some new energy. We worked with the team to update the school brand pallet, logos, and collateral which helped welcome a feeling of excitement for the new school year.
BURGUNDY RGB: 109, 0, 31 HEX: #6D001F CMYK: 33, 100, 78, 47
GOLD RGB: 168, 139, 94 HEX: #A888B5E CMYK: 33, 41, 70,
ORANGE RGB: 241, 90, 41 HEX: #F15A29 CMYK: 0,80,94,0
Recruiter FlierColumbia Metro Baptist Association
BRANDING
DIGITAL
Connecting Communities to Come Together
Columbia Metro Baptist Association
Columbia Metro Baptist Association needed to build relationships with churches across South Carolina. Community is core to its mission. As South Carolina continues to be a state divided along racial, cultural and political lines, it was important to develop designs that were inclusive and welcoming to all people. We applied human-centered design thinking principles to the creative process to develop a suite of materials that would evoke positive sentiment with all their stakeholder groups.
Style Guide:Website
BRANDING
Langston Technology Hub
STORYTELLING
WEBSITE
WEBSITE: ART DIRECTION
Logo
Connecting to History Langston Technology Hub
The Langston technology Hub is a business and technology accelerator located in Arlington, Virginia. Named after John Mercer Langston American abolitionist, attorney, educator, activist, diplomat, and politician, our charge was to develop a brand platform that inspired the community by elevating the inspirational connection of Hughes to the community.
BRANDING
The Roller Comb
PACKAGING
DIGITAL
SOCIAL
VIDEO
Connecting Stylists with a Tool to Easily Perform their Craft
In 2020, inventor of the Rollercomb™ connected with me to create packaging, branding and sales marketing items that would make this groundbreaking salon innovation a household name. The product launch was well received and to this day sales are still going strong.
Rev. Felicia Green, Ph.D., L.P.C
MULTIPLE BRANDING JOBS
DIGITAL • PRINT
During the past five years, Dr. Felecia Green has launched several businesses focused on community engagement. I worked with Dr. Green one-on-one to create visual brand cohesion and messaging across all of her businesses so that the brand is identifiable, regardless of which business she is represented
INFOGRAPHIC • DECKS
65% of the population are visual learners that absorb and recall information best by seeing. Here are some ways I connect with these learners through Educational Visual Design and experiential learning using Miro and Prezi interactive designed decks.
BUILDING ADULT LEARNERS - PREZI PRESENTATION
INTERACTIVE EXPLORATION OF LEARNING SPACES - MIRO PRESENTATION
REVIEW OF EDUCATIONAL AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
BOOK DESIGN • BOOK MARKETING • DIGITAL E-BOOK CREATIONS
Connecting Authors to Readers
Removing the digital divide can be as simple as connecting people to a good book. E-books are great and I enjoy making them but a good book in hands always connects me to a simpler time. Here are a few of my favorite books that I helped design and market.
Connecting Customers to a Brand
Logos help customers connect to your brand, but they also aid in optimizing a search for you business. Following is a sample of logos that have help do everything from launching products to pitching to the MFL.
COFFEE
Dr. Larry Enis, Owner of The Life Worth Living, LLC. and Pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church
As an author and a pastor, I have had the pleasure of serving as a client of LaMont Sledge for over thirteen years. As my graphic designer over this span, he has played a pivotal role in the promotion and branding of my church, designing for me several books and promotional materials. In the capacity as church pastor, I have relied on Mr. Sledge for church logos, fliers, banners, bulletins, church programs, and online content.
Mr. Sledge’s ability as a graphic designer is second to none. Given his determination to bring the client’s vision to life, it is evident that he sees graphic design not just as a job per se, but as a calling. It provides a space for him to use his skill and talent to promote the vision, aspirations, and dreams of others. Over the years, our conversations about his work have not been limited to the craft of design, but have explored how his work, ultimately, represents a service to people.
Given my numerous dealings with Mr. Sledge, I can confidently bear witness to his professionalism. His reliability is evidenced by his commitment to honoring deadlines and following through on agreements with work of the highest quality. He handles himself with integrity, and he has distinguished himself as a highly respected member in the community. Moreover, Mr. Sledge has played an instrumental role in our church’s establishment of an online presence through website design, social media management, and video communications.
That said, I enthusiastically recommend Mr. Sledge for your graphic design needs.
Steve Perky, Speaker, Strategy, and Culture Consultant - Digital LaMont is a very gifted communications leader and has a great understanding of today’s digital age culture. He has an exceptional ability to help his client define their goals, identify their target audience, and then produce incredible materials to meet those goals. I have worked with LaMont as both a fellow staff member as well as hiring him to freelance on personal projects. He is extremely professional and very talented. I highly recommend LaMont.
Tish Keener, Graphic Designer/Branding Specialist
I have had the honor and privilege of working with LaMont at two separate companies where he proved his value everyday. LaMont’s strong work ethic balanced with his ability to thrive within the “pressure cooker” deadline environment of this industry while keeping an eye on the end-goal are invaluable.
Whether working alone or within a team dynamic, LaMont can always be counted on to bring the freshest, most innovative design solutions to any project. His hardware knowledge and design skills coupled with his leadership abilities make LaMont a fantastic addition to any creative team.
I cannot tell you how many times LaMont stepped up to assist myself or another team member in order to ensure that tasks were completed on-time, on-budget and on-point. His work philosophy seems to be,“The more we support each other, the stronger the team is as a whole.”
I could fill up this space with stories that reflect the caliber of LaMont Sledge, but suffice it to say if I had an opportunity to hand-pick another designer I would LOVE to work with or for again, LaMont’s name is at the top of the list... heck, he may be the only name on that list.
Milton Steppe, President at Steppe Media, LLC and former teammate at Verizon
When I first met LaMont he was a graphic designer at Verizon. LaMont’s creativity is amazing! The speed in which he delivers is equally important. Most designers lack creativity in fast pace environments. I have continued to network with LaMont over the years and I’m always amazed at the great projects he has been apart of. He is a great person, professional and designer! I highly recommend LaMont to lead any graphic design department.
Steve St. Clair, CEO of Trouble Group and former Creative Director
LaMont is an enthusiastic, diligent creative person who was one of my “go-to” art directors for the challenging assignments. I recommend him for any job that requires dedication, precision, and enthusiasm.
Glenn Anderson, Client from MoArt Interior Designs
LaMont is a very creative and reliable person who is very skilled in Marketing and Design. He is on the cutting edge of technology and has the ability to make a client’s vision come to life. I recommend LaMont for a position with your organization without reservation.
Dr. Marlene Fuller, D.Min, PMP, CSM - Former client
LaMont is a creative genius and professional! He created new brand logos within a short period and they required no editing... because he captured my vision and mission perfectly on the first round. LaMont interviewed me prior to doing the work. He listened and our meeting was a real conversation where he sought to understand me and the organization. His personal and positive approach made the difference in delivering what I needed. His expertise created designs that will meet the needs of my organization now and for many years to come.
Randy Franks, Former employer at the Richmond Informer
LaMont Sledge for four years headed up design projects. During this time LaMont has shown exemplary initiative in creating a wide variety of design artwork including book covers, logos, posters, banners, window clings, advertisements, web graphics, and more. His eye for design is first-rate as are his skills in Adobe Creative Suite and other leading design software. LaMont has been one of the most dependable employees I’ve ever hired, very positive with upbeat personality and ability to follow through on key projects in a timely manner. I highly recommend LaMont to any organization looking for a talented, hard-working graphic designer.
Brice King, COO of QT Office and former student at ECPI I took several classes (Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop) under Mr. Sledge and he was a FANTASTIC teacher. He really knew the subject matter AND made it really fun to learn. He is the kind of teacher that you could count on to get the subject matter across but do it in a way that wasn’t robotic. I hope he keeps teaching for a long time so others can enjoy his classes as much as I did. Keep up the great work!
Heather (Kendrick) Traylor, Former co-worker at Planet Central I would whole-heartedly recommend LaMont. He holds characteristics that any employer would be grateful to have. He’s a very hard worker and just as importantly, full of energy, zest and always a smiling face. LaMont is definitely the type of person that you will want on your team!
Tara Bouldin-Evans, Graphic Designer and former Teammate at Verizon LaMont was an outstanding colleague to work with. His professionalism and ability to work on tight deadlines in a constantly changing environment is a rare and commendable trait. LaMont always made himself available to help his co-workers if they ever needed any assistance, from system troubleshooting to taking on an additional workload. He is a true asset to any team.
Matt Grinsell, Campus President at ECPI University LaMont served as a teaching assistant for our Web Design classes. He was engaging and interactive, and grew as an instructor from day one. LaMont was open to any challenge, but mostly was an incredible resource for our students. Under his tutelage, students were inspired to not only use the design tools, but to apply the principles of design that he taught them.