Yanique DaCosta is a formally trained Graphic Designer and Fine Artist who owns a graphic design agency headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL. DaCosta’s agency leverages data-driven graphic design and digital marketing strategies to get amplified product and marketing results. Her 12+ years of Brand Development and Advertising experience has translated to the evolution of member-centric initiatives with the Graphic Artists Guild since 2016. Some of these initiatives include but are not limited to Guild Chat, Guild Chat LIVE, and Monthly Member Spotlights.

Yanique has served the Graphic Artists Guild in the roles of Southern Regional Representative 2016-2019, At-Large Representative 2019-2021, Treasurer 2021-2023, and ICoD Delegate 2018-Present.

DaCosta was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and came to the United States to pursue her education. She received an Associate Degree in Graphic Design, a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Arts, and a Master’s Degree in Media Design. To work with DaCosta’s Agency, visit https://theykmd.com/

president@graphicartistsguild.org

Jacqueline McCarthy is the founder and principal partner of Vivitiv, specializing in marketing and community outreach for public entities and non-profit organizations. She has over 30 years experience in design, advertising and marketing. Her work has won numerous awards and has appeared in multiple design publications including an 8 page feature article on Vivitiv in Step Inside Design Magazine.

Jacqueline attended the School of Visual Arts in New York where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design. She taught a Professional Practices course as an adjunct Graphic Design instructor at Cornish College for the Arts in Seattle. She has served as the National Education Chair of the Graphic Artists Guild and was active in the Seattle Guild Chapter as well as the Seattle AIGA Chapter.

Lara founded Optimum Design & Consulting in 1992 after completing a BS Degree in Graphic Communications Management and Technology and working toward a Masters in Magazine Publication Management from New York University (NYU).

Since 1992, Lara has been an active member of the New York Chapters of both the Graphic Artists Guild and the National Association of Woman Business Owners. She was Chapter President of each organization in the early 2000’s, and has been on the National Board of the Guild since 1998, most recently as President from 2016-2021.

Lara held a seat on the Advisory Board of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) for five years and teaches a hands-on workshop called How to Start a Graphic Design Business for a variety of local colleges and organizations. She has also spoken at NYU on the challenges of keeping a business alive in troubled times and is a frequent guest lecturer at Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business.

Liz has traveled a varied, winding path into creative professionalism. She graduated from Alfred University in 2011 with a BFA, then unexpectedly pivoted into the great wide world of association management.

Early in her career she began volunteering for the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) and re-established their New York chapter. When she later transitioned to being the Community Manager for the AWI, she supported chapters across the country, completed association executive training with the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), and built a lasting vibrant community for their membership to grow in.

Though her career steered her more down the path of membership coordination and social media management, Liz knew her passion for illustration needed its time to shine. In 2018 Liz took the leap and became a full-time freelance illustrator, specializing in children’s books. The Graphic Artists Guild, and other professional associations, have been instrumental in helping Liz develop and grow Her business. Liz hopes to pass on the goodwill and knowledge her time here has brought.

Rebecca works, sleeps, eats, and lives as Design Director at Optimum Design & Consulting, a small designer firm in mid-town Manhattan. There she oversees the creation of a wide range of print and Web projects, including marketing materials, logos and corporate ID, website interfaces, and publications. In between cajoling demanding clients and consuming a steady stream of coffee, she volunteers as the Guild’s Advocacy Liasion.

Having graduated from college with a degree completely unrelated to the visual arts, Rebecca transitioned to a design career by attending the Continuing Education Department at the School of Visual Arts. Her first act upon changing careers was to join the Graphic Artists Guild, where she met a community of supportive and sensible mentors and colleagues. She became active on the local level, serving in various positions on the New York Chapter board, including Chapter President, before moving up to the National Board.

advocacy@graphicartistsguild.org

Todd is a graphic designer and design educator. A Graphic Artists Guild member for over 12 years, he has served on the National Board’s Executive Committee as well as the Advocacy, Communications, and Education Committees. Todd is also a member of AIGA, and is the Education Director for the AIGA-CT chapter.

Todd earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Graphic Design from Westfield State University and has worked in graphic design and marketing since 1989. He is currently the Art Director at Westfield, after teaching various graphic design classes at the University for over a decade.

Todd is truly passionate about graphic design, wholly believing in the power of design to communicate and shape brands and in its ability to inform and educate the masses. He has won numerous local, regional, and national awards for his innovative and inspiring design work, as well as having his designs published in several books in the course of his career.

Darcy owns DW Graphic Arts, a graphic design and services studio in southwestern Connecticut. She has welded her creative trade in the visual communications realm for many a year, creating solutions that satisfy the needs of her clients digitally and in print.

She is a career graphic designer with a heavy emphasis on production. Every good design needs solid production to become fabulous.

As a member of the Graphic Artist Guild and volunteering as a regional associate representative, I keep relevant and involved with other creative minds and professionals. It’s all about community for me.

As Development Chair, I seek to expand that community and build relationships and support for the Guild and all the creative entities within.

Delanie West is a multi-disciplinary creative strategist and doer, driving consistent success in creating revenue, profit, and business growth.

Delanie formerly led Product Development and Design divisions at Wilton Brands and Faber-Castell / Creativity for Kids. She earned her Bachelors in Art in Graphic Design at Hampton University and is a current candidate for MBA 23″ at Syracuse University Martin J. Whitman School of Management with a dual specialty in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. In early 2022 Delanie was the presenting lecturer at Columbia University Business School in the areas of Product Development, Packing Design and Supply Chain and Operations.

Delanie is President of Black Creatives, the first digital community for Black creators and has been a member since 2011. She’s serves as Board Director and is founding chair of Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment Foundation’s, Diversity and Inclusion committee.

Delanie has always used a creative problem-solving foundation in her approach to business and brand development, she’s super hands-on and works collaboratively with her clients and teams.

Danielle Hughes is the Chief Personality Officer of More Than Words Marketing. She helps individuals and institutions to develop their Genuine Personality Brand. This allows you to own and embody your message, feel comfortable expressing it and convey what makes you different from your competition so you can attract the right audience and repel the wrong one. A sought-after speaker, Danielle runs workshops and presents on the importance of bringing more you to work.

In her multi-decade career — which began in Ad Sales Marketing for major TV networks like ABC, Oxygen, Nickelodeon and Discovery Channel, then shifted to a small word of mouth marketing agency and then a freelance copywriting career turned branding business — Danielle has strategized, written content for and presented and run workshops at large global organizations and small businesses including: PwC, Google, eBay, Discovery Channel, TD Bank, Gap, Visa, Catalyst, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, Columbia University, Composure, What If Media Group and the JED Foundation, to name a few.

And while she can’t pull a rabbit out of her hat, she can hone your brand message, engage your audience and deadlift you or your employees, but not at the same time. That’s just irresponsible. (note: Danielle is available for office party tricks and accepts payment in bottles of Bordeaux, Barolo, Barbera or any wine with any letter.)

Paula Hinkle has worked in the Graphic Arts field since receiving her degree from the University of Akron more than 30 years ago. Her experience has been in various capacities; as a production artist, a print shop supervisor/manager & designer, and as a business owner. She enjoys learning new things and makes it a priority.

Paula joined the Graphic Artists Guild in 2001, working as a volunteer for the At-Large Chapter before becoming a Regional Administrator for the Guild. She has served as assistant webinar coordinator since 2011. From 2003 – 2016, Paula  updated the chapter and regional websites & created weekly regional e-communications. She maintained the National web site from 2006-2016.

Paula began working as Administrative Director for the Graphic Artists Guild in January 2017.

Erin M. Harris is the Administrative Manager for the Guild.
You can reach Erin at e.harris@graphicartistsguild.org.

Tamara Kelly is the Community Manager for the Guild.
You can reach Tamara regarding regional social media or events at t.kelly@graphicartistsguild.org

I’ve been creating my whole life. Growing up with an art teacher/watercolor artist mother gave me a great head start on my art career.

I have been a graphic designer for over 35 years. For the majority of that time, I was an in-house designer for large high-tech corporations. I worked on everything from brand identity to booth displays, infographics to explainer videos, web design to animated annual reports. The past few years I have been transitioning to a freelance designer/illustrator/cartoonist and have found the Guild a great resource for all the information I didn’t know I needed to know to be an independent artist.

neweng-rep@graphicartistsguild.org

Carl Cleanthes is a creative entrepreneur who, in 2006, founded Epic Made, a team of millennial gamer-nerds who live and breathe advertising, digital art, and storytelling.

Over the years Carl and his team have created powerful and eye-catching creative assets for some of the most notable brands in the world, including USA Network, Nickelodeon, SyFy, WWE, Shopify, and many others. Carl aka “Colorful Carl” has a YouTube channel and Twitch live art stream where he promotes and inspires creativity in his community.  He is an avid proponent of web3 technology and understands the potential it has to empower the creators for generations to come.  In addition to his professional endeavors, he is an urban homesteader, believing that a sustainable lifestyle is practiced in all aspects. He shares his knowledge of growing, heirlooms, seed harvesting, and the art of self-reliance. He is a husband of 17+ years to his inspiring wife Alden and father to his semi-feral, wild-child gamer son… they are both the light of his life.

Carl is on a mission to inspire as much creativity in humanity as he can while on this short journey we call life.  Reach out at www.colorfulcarl.com.

Delanie West is a multi-disciplinary creative strategist and doer, driving consistent success in creating revenue, profit, and business growth.

Delanie formerly led Product Development and Design divisions at Wilton Brands and Faber-Castell / Creativity for Kids. She earned her Bachelors in Art in Graphic Design at Hampton University and is a current candidate for MBA 23″ at Syracuse University Martin J. Whitman School of Management with a dual specialty in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. In early 2022 Delanie was the presenting lecturer at Columbia University Business School in the areas of Product Development, Packing Design and Supply Chain and Operations.

Delanie is President of Black Creatives, the first digital community for Black creators and has been a member since 2011. She’s serves as Board Director and is founding chair of Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment Foundation’s, Diversity and Inclusion committee.

Delanie has always used a creative problem-solving foundation in her approach to business and brand development, she’s super hands-on and works collaboratively with her clients and teams.

midwest-rep@graphicartistsguild.org

This position is currently open.

If you are interested in becoming the South Region Rep., send your inquiry to admin@graphicartistsguild.org.

This position is currently open.

If you are interested in becoming the West Region Rep., send your inquiry to admin@graphicartistsguild.org