About DaxGraphics
ABOUT US
Hello There!
My name is Dax Montilla and I have been a professional Graphic Artist in Arizona for over 28 years. It has been an incredible time working in every aspect of the print and design industry. I am on the search for new companies to work with, new teams to manage, and new work to create.
After getting my start working for a small automotive design shop at an while in college, I progressed to learn as much as I could while working in this industry. As such, I have worked in every aspect from small press shops creating all manner of small business needs, to publishing magazines and books, to working for major firms and corporate product development and marketing teams with a bunch of incredibly interesting campaigns and projects scattered throughtout my history.
I am currently working as a product and packaging designer, as well as the owner of SK8 Skateboarding magazine, which is a printed skateboarding magazine created in Arizona, but distributed around the USA and the gold coast of Australia. You can see all of the issues of the magazine in digital form and the website I built to support it .
WEBSITES WHERE YOU CAN SEE CURRENT WORK:
PRO EXPERIENCE
May 2014 • Present JAPONESQUE LLC. The Original MakeUp Eraser
San Ramon, CA
Creative Director > Senior Lead Graphic Artist
I worked with the founders to create the identity and packaging for the Original MakeUp Eraser product line that is actively sold in retail outlets such as Sephora, Target, Nordstroms, Macys, Ulta, TJX, Walmart, Costco, Urban Outfitters, etc. As we developed our packaging and product lines, we expanded into cosmetics and bathing products. I developed all packaging for each product in the new brand lines as well as created the marketing and advertising for each individual SKU (at one point reaching 175 individual products).
In addition to product development, and packaging design, I would setup and photograph all products (from 2014 – 18) for use in advertising and marketing our individual lines. At the same time I would photograph professional models for our ads and catalogs using my own equipment and lights. I now work with photographers to get all our imagery.
I worked closely with our founder and with our overseas vendors to ensure quality product and packaging. Worked with both web retailers and our merchant system to setup and develop our initial online shopping presence and imagery. After 2017, we created a team to handle all of the skus, social media, and online identity. I worked with this new team to continue to increase our brand presence.
I expanded into prototyping the products themselves using new 3D modeling software and 3D printers to crete a washball prototype that was put into production and sold internationally. I continue creating photo realistic comprehensives and in-store displays of our packaging for advance sales. In September of 2021 MakeUp Eraser joined our parent company, JAPONESQUE, and I have been kept on as head of creative since the change over. We rebranded in 2022 with the help of an external market research company. I worked with the rebranding team to transform MUE into the product line it is today. I currently oversee all of the art and creative quality for the MakeUp Eraser division in addition to package and product development. I still produce over 95% of all packaging, patterns, and product artwork and develop the other 5% with the expanded team we now have. I have also been brought in on teams for rebranding some Japonesque and Barefoot Scientist product lines. I especially enjoyed working with the marketing team for Barefoot Scientist when we created packaging for their new “Sleep On It” line of foot products.
Check out all of the products and packaging I created at https://makeuperaser.com/ . Pleadse note: I did not build or create the website. i built all of the packaging designs you see for sale on the website.
May 2022 • Present SK8 Magazine™ Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Owner/Publisher
I am currently the owner and publisher of SK8 Magazine. It’s a self-financed skateboarding magazine featuring local and amateur skateboarders around the USA and Australia. I create and publish a printed and a digital magazine bi-monthly in addition to a substantial web presence through my website www.sk8locals.com and also on instagram https://www.instagram.com/sk8maginfo which I build and maintain. I also shoot action and event photgraphy for the magazine whenever time allows. I utilize and work with outside writers, photographers, skaters, vendors and advertisers to produce and distribute this magazine.
May 2014 • Sep 2021 DeLex Realty Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Creative Director
I began working with DeLex Realty as a B2B. Brought on full time, I developed corporate advertising and marketing for the company. I worked closely with the CEO, Designated Brokers and Office Managers in our branches to develop advertising strategies that will help us grow. Marketing for this company was mainly web driven and I worked with programs like Delivera to create effective web/email advertisements. I have created property developer specific advertising packages and Power Point presentations. I worked extensively with our brokers to find ways to help the agents market homes and offer any creative assistance whenever necessary. I worked with signage vendors to ensure corporate quality. When the CEO created the television program “Last Home Standing”, I created the production graphics and marketing imagery that was used in the promotional commercials and cut scenes. I also shot the promotional headshots for the stars of the series in addition to biography imagery of staff and brokers.
September 2011 • June 2014 West USA Realty/WW Franchise LLC
Phoenix, Arizona
National Marketing Director
Managed all aspects of corporate brand identity and collateral marketing for West USA Realty and its division WW Franchise. Created saturated email, direct mail and EDDM advertising campaigns. Built up a catalog of print and promotional products for brokers and area developers to recruit and promote their businesses. Worked with designated brokers, branch and franchise owners to develop forms, training materials, and document templates that are later made interactive. Worked with a team of technology professionals to develop internal agent data management software, and post websites I designed. Edited agent and listing videos utilizing “chroma key” and professional non-linear editing software. Designed Power point presentations for training, consumer, and franchise purposes.
Feb 03 • March 2011 GFI Publishing Playtime and Impulse Magazines
Phoenix Arizona
Art Director, then Editor in Chief
Designed all aspects of Playtime and Impulse Magazines. Both were monthly high gloss, full color, entertainment publications. Created in house, client ads and promotions. Edited model, article and client model photographs. Handled all pre-press and vendor traffic. Created interoffice documents and managed sales records. Coordinated and designed the creation of the newly revamped websites playtime.com and impulse411.com. Wrote articles for both pulications.
PRE-2003 Work History:
Feb 02 – Feb 03
Kwik Kopy Printing
Graphic Designer & Pre-Press Operator
Oct 01 - Feb 02
The College Times Newspaper
Contract Photographer & Freelance Writer
May 99 - Oct 01
Ashland Media Advertising Agency
Senior Graphic Designer
(Clients: Southwest Supermarkets & TVyMas Newspaper)
Oct 96 – Apr 99
Design Work History (in order from 99 - 96) The Business Development Group • BRW Inc. / Dames & Moore The Printing Center • New Vision International • Foothills Sentinel Newspaper • Applied Creative • Chandler Independent Newspaper • MacTemps • The Trendsetters
OWNER of Dax Graphic Design™
June 07 • Current | Peoria, Arizona
We create everything from advertising design and corporate identity packages, web design and multimedia, to all forms of publication design including, but not limited to, magazines, books, brochures, press kits etc. If a client needs ANY form of design work done, Dax Graphic Design can do it.
Please check out the list on below for client names and dates.
2003 - 2024 PUBLISHING CREDITS:
City of Goodyear InFocus Magazine, SK8 Skateboarding Magazine, Travelling Skateboarders Magazine, Playtime Magazine, Impulse Magazine, Phoenix Health & Wellness Magazine, Modern Wealth Magazine, AZ Skin Magazine, Zodi Habit Magazine, and Hottest Magazine. Writer Noelle Sanger (Book Cover for ‘Perfect Body’), writers Patrik Simpson & Pol’ Atteu (cover to cover book design for ‘Anna Nicole Smith: Portrait of an Icon’).
CLIENT LIST:
2022 - Present
City of Goodyear (Goodyear InFocus Magazine), City of Phoenix LGBTQ Alliance, SK8 Skateboarding Magazine, Psyops Skateboards, CAP-DIST Clothing, Southern Arizona Mustang Club Complete Printshop, Southern California Ditchskaters, AZ Laminates, Gemini Glide, DeLex Realty, Nocal Seed Co.
2019 - 2022
Apollo Solar, Arctic Fox Air Conditioning, Bullseye BMX Racing Products, Creative Efge Tile and Stone, Southern Arizona Mustang Club, City of Phoenix LGBTQ Alliance, Power Ranch
Dental, SIOR A, DeLex Realty, Republican Senate Candidate Daniel McCarthy, Travelling Skateboarders Magazine, Durf Daddy Cuisene, Hatch Dentistry, RS Services, Norcal Seed Co., RoboJunkie Detailing Servivces, Quik Fitness
2018
AZ Home Sellers, Bullseye BMX Racing Products, Dana Park Dental, Denver Hope LLC., Southern Arizona Mustang Club, The Home Herbalist, Jungle Jenny, Old School Motorcycle Company, Power Ranch Dental, SIORAZ
2017
Power Ranch Dental, Dana Park Dental, Bullseye BMX Racing Products, SIORAZ, DigiCycle Motorcycle Shop, Soutehrn Arizona Mustang Club, JN Agency, Fender BenderAZ Auto Body, Bathetite, NorCal Solutions, Crystal Garden Dispensary, AnayaTribal.com, Repair&Remodel Co., Uniform USA, Income Property Shop
2016
AZBRKCO, Bullseye BMX Racing Products, Cannassage Health Products, Creative Edge tile and Stone, Crystal Garden Dispensary, Denver Home Partners, Southern Arizona Mustang Club, Income Property Shop, Jalapeno Racing Team, Medical BnB, Mindless Love, SIORAZ, Supafly Customs Motorcycle Shop, Western Arizona Gun Dog Co., Wine Country Cannabis Co.
2015
Arizona BMXers, AZBRKCO, Az Crawfish Festival, BACA, Bent Rod Bait Co., Black Mountain BMX, Brix Real Estate, Creatie Edge Tile and Stone, Crystal Garden Dispensary, DeLex Realty, Pink Ladies BMX Race Team, Ironman’s Army BMX Race Team, Southern Arizona Mustang Club, Enfuego Entertainment, Jungle Jenny TV Show, LeafHead.com, MakeUp Eraser, NorCal Solutions, Power Ranch Dental, ProSwingz, Pro Swimbait Co., Rancho Decano Stables, RS Service
2014
5150 Transportation, AZ Bicycle Gallery, Basic Gold Seminars, Black Mountain BMX, BnS Distribution, Bullseye BMX Racing Products, DeLex Realty, EVA Inc., Southern Arizona Mustang Club, God Bless, Fall Risk Racing, IBA, MakeUp Eraser, Montilla Jockey Management, Mountain Monkey Racing, My Sonoma, NorCal Solutions, Pink Ladies Race Team, Ironman’s Army BMX Race Team, Power Ranch Dental, Dana Park Dental, ProSwingz Golf Co., RealWomenLoveSports Co., Squid Squad Race Team, Poor Boy Racing, AZ ProTrac, The Hot Shoppe
2013
12 Volt Accessories, AZ Bicycle Gallery, AZ Crawfish Co., AZ Social Media Co., Basic Gold Seminars, BnS Distribution, Bullseye BMX Racing Products, Southern Arizona Mustang Club, Gummi Bear BMX Racing, Knuckle Curve Show with Captain Caveman, New Media The Matters, Power Ranch Dental, Ride and Destroy Racing, Southwest Lift Station Co., Arizona BMXers, Big Dave’s BMX team, Body Shots Tequila Co., Canadian Bike Supply Race Team, Empowered Racing, Fat Man Racing, IXL Racing, Manzanita Park BMX, Poor Boys Racing, Redline Challenge Race Team, Team One Shot, The Woodshed Race Team, Curlys Custom Paint, Umbria Builders, Young Guns Racing
2012
12 Volt Accessories, Aarons Service, AZ Bicycle Gallery, AZ Crawfish Co. AZSocial Media Co., BnS Distribution, Collettes Uniforms, Creative Edge Tile and Stone, Southern Arizona Mustang Club, GummiBear BMX Racing, Power Ranch Dental, Quacy Jazz Fest, Ride and Destroy Racing, Bullseye BMX Racing Products, R&R Remodel, STILE Industries Clothing, Curly’s Custom Paint, Umbria Builders, Upper Valley Wellness, Young Guns BMX Racing
2010 – 11
12 Volt Accessories, A1 Service, Air Taxi Inc., All American Arborist, Angler Addict, Primarily Japanese Auto, ASU Fishing, AZ Auto Graphics, AZ Bicycle Gallery, AZ Crawfish Co., Barrett Outfitters, 2 Buds Plant Co., Penn State Mining Co., Cohaire Firearm Company, Belatore Firearms, Collette’s Uniforms, Creative Edge Tile, Deluxe Imprints, Desert Forrest Plant Co., The Door Knocker Flyer Co., Lombardi Construction, EPIC Sports and Entertainment Co., FCI Contractors, Southern Arizona Mustang Club, Geno’s Pizza, Glasgows Spring Co., The Herbalist, HerbnAZ, Honey BBQ Co., The Hotel Guide, Hungry Howies Pizza (Franchise), ICS Services, IFC fight promotion, Irish Weed Control, Being Jen.com, Crystal Garden SPA, Endangered Hands, GO Publishing, KACO Warehouse & Distribution, Lifetime Solar, Los Favoritos Restaurant, Media Print, Native Printing Co., Network International, Axis Roofing, LIQWA, Red Butterfly Salon, RS Services, Senior Choices, Solano Construction, Umbria Builders, Uniform USA
2008 – 09
Bora Bait Company, Cheetah Cabaret, Curly’s Custom Paint, Eco Limo Company, Jungle Jenny Television Show, Media Print, 12 Volt Accessories
2000 – 07
Ad Print, Adult Shoppe, AH Motion, Alternative Tile, ANS Services, AB Auto Glass, AZ Auto Graphics, Babes Cabaret, Babylon Cabaret, The Barry Company, Black Cat Racing, Blue Food Magazine, Great Alaskan Buch Co., Christies Cabaret, Collette’s Uniforms, Curly’s Custom Paint, Epic Heroes, Foxxy Bartenders, H&H Performance, Heil & Son, Inktown Tattoo, J&J Sales, Le Girls, Monster Tattoo, New Dimension Hair Salon, ProBest Pest Control, SumPoosie Drink Co., The Garden SPA, Splash Ads Mailer, THC machine shop, The Door Knocker flyer co., VIP Window Cleaning, Whiskey Tango Productions, Williams Rogers, Creative Edge Tile and Stone
PRACTICAL SKILLS & TECHNOLOGY
SKILLS
product packaging development, conceptualization, and design • traditional and modern digital illustration • pattern and textile design • page layout • advertising design • corporate identity and signage • project management • publishing • logo design • typesetting and font creation • trade show design and graphics • broadcast graphic design • retail advertising and packaging • storyboarding and scriptwriting • product, model and food style studio photography • color correction • photo manipulation and simulations • print production • digital pre-press • web design • large format design • 3D modeling • non-linear video editing • 2D and GIF animation
I am also Painter and former galleried artist working in acrylic, ink, experimental photography, and colored pencils. Also a writer who has written editorial, travel and club/entertainment articles.
HARDWARE USED
COMPUTERS: Fully proficient in both PC and Macintosh platforms, all computer hardware components and peripherals, numerous Pre-Press systems
PHOTOGRAPHY: Canon Digital SLR and film studio cameras and lighting equipment. Also remote flashes.
PRODUCTION: Professional digital scanners, large format printers/plotters, bindery equipment, high speed duplicators, basic networking
SPECIAL: Well versed in operation, maintenance, and use of 3D Printers for prototyping.
SOFTWARE USED
Adobe Creative Cloud System Software:
Professional mastery of and current in all forms of Adobe Design Suite software not limited to, but including InDesign, Photoshop & Illustrator
Professional working knowledge of: Adobe Premiere, After Effects, Dreamweaver, Flash/Character Animator, Fireworks
Also:
Quark Xpress, Corel DRAW, ALL Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Autodesk Fusion 360, Blender, Ultimaker CURA, PrusiaSlicer, Gerber Graphics Advantage, Flexi Sign Pro, Poster Shop Pro , Sai VE LKi Apprentice, Scitex ,Canon, and Fiery proprietary Pre-Press RIP software
EDUCATION & AFFILIATIONS
1997 AMERICAN INSTITUE of GRAPHIC ARTISTS
American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA) Arizona Chapter 1997-1998
Recently gave a lecture on packaging design in Arizona in the Summer 2022
1998
IKON
Color Correction Certified, Canon and Fiery RIP System Certified
Phoenix, Arizona
Jan 96 • June 97
The Art Institute of Phoenix • Phoenix, Arizona
Associates of Applied Science Degree, Graduated Cum Laude. 2nd in class. Graphic Design Program
Jan 92 • Mar 93
Glendale Community College • Glendale, Arizona Attended Graphic Design Program, advanced entry
Sep 87 • May 91
Greenway High School • Phoenix, Arizona
Advanced Studies Degree, Commercial Art Major
Graduated Top Of Class
While not fluent, I do understand and speak basic Spanish
SAMPLES
Contact Us
Questions or Comments
For inquiries into my work or my availability, please use the form to contact me. I thank you for your interest, and I will do my best to get back to you soon!
DaxGraphics
Hours
Mon | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Tue | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Wed | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Thu | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Fri | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
Copyright © 2024 DaxGraphics - All Rights Reserved.
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