Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Aaron Mebesius, an artist, designer, and creative problem solver from Portland Oregon.
Design is my first true love, and I’ve been fortunate to practice it as a full-time occupation for over 16 years – collaborating with incredible people and bringing to life world-class branding & advertising. It continues to be the adventure of my life, and I can't wait for the next challenge. I have a passion for simplicity, collaboration, and intentionality. With each project I take on, I try to adhere to these principles, to ensure an innovative modern result.
When I’m not working on something amazing, you can find me outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, playtesting my board game, or writing my next screenplay.
WHAT WE DO IS WHAT
WE BECOME
GRÖN
CURRENT: SENIOR VICE
PRESIDENT OF BRAND
AQUENT (APPLE)
2022-2023
COCA-COLA
MAY, 2022
GRÖN
2022 – 2018
NIKE
2018 – 2014
FREELANCE
2014 – 2010
THE FELT HAT
2010 – 2006
OREGON STATE
UNIVERSITY
2006 – 2001
MAJIN PLANET
2003 – 1999
2022 - 2023 • AQUENT (APPLE)
MAY, 2022 • COCA-COLA
A Personal Challenge
In the month of May 2022, I got the chance to work on what is arguably the most iconic brand in the world. Cheers.
The Full Campaign
Perfectly executed by industry professionals at AKQA — explore the full breadth of final executions and branded implementations.
Coca-colacompany.com Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Invites Fans to #TakeATaste in Newest Phase of "Best Coke Ever?"
Adage. COKE ENLISTS INFLUENCERS TO KEEP ZERO SUGAR CANS SAFE FROM THIEVES
The Drum. Tasty enough to steal? Coca-Cola Zero Sugar taps influencers to tempt Gen Z to #TakeATaste
Little Black Book. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Encourages You to ‘Take a Taste’ with the Launch of Its Trial-Driving Initiative
2018-2022 • CANNABIS (Grön, GrönCBD, & Astronoma)
CANNABIS BRANDING JEDI
During the four years I worked at Grön (GrönCBD & Astronoma), I was responsible for the creation/evolution of the modern Grön brand and the implementation of its tone and messaging in all print and digital executions. As a creative director, I always worked collaboratively, not just with my design team, but with other departments in the Grön business (Sales & Production) and multiple print and packaging vendors – ensuring deadlines were met and artwork was up-to-date.
I personally designed the Grön logo (as well as all of Grön’s product logos), all of Grön’s packaging (both CBD & THC products), and was intimately involved in the direction/creation of the brand’s lifestyle photography, e-commerce website, and conversion-driven e-mail campaigns.
HIGHLIGHTS
Art through adversity.
Defining the problem is everything.
Collaboration with multiple departments to find the most effective solution.
You’re only as fast as your slowest moving piece.
There’s power in diversity.
Speak from the heart.
Find an existing behavior in the real world - work backward.
Campaigns can be anything - break your own rules.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Logo Design
Package Design
Investor Deck Design
The direction of Photoshoots
Print & Digital Collateral Design
Catalog Design
E-Commerce Web Design
E-mail Design
Social Media Implementation / Consistency
Press checks
THE ASTRONOMA SPACEMAN
Rumored to have visited Earth thousands of years ago, the Astronoma Spaceman exists for one reason: to introduce the people of earth to the wonders of cannabis. His design, reminiscent of 1950's NASA Spacesuits, perfectly balances the aesthetics of fun, wonder, and most importantly–adventure.
2014-2018 • NIKE
A MASTER CLASS IN BRANDING
My time at Nike was split between two brand categories: Nike Digital Brand and Nike Global football. At Nike Digital, I was personally responsible for completing weekly homepage updates and supporting e-mail campaigns for nike.com. This meant working collaboratively with multiple heads of Nike categories, meeting fast-paced production deadlines, and executing the high brand standard Nike is known for. With Nike Global Football, I completed the design and production of all of Global Football’s branded digital assets for nearly three years. Specifically, whenever Global Football would release a new version of its flagship boots, I was responsible for updating all instances of the new products across the entire nike.com ecosystem, as well as designing immersive (but shoppable) ad funnels web pages.
NIKE DIGITAL BRAND
Homepage Layout Design
E-mail Design/Production
Deck Design/Production
Social Media Asset Design/Production
NIKE GLOBAL FOOTBALL
Webpage Design/Production
HIGHLIGHTS
How to create branding at the highest level.
How to build files and execute production faster than ever.
How to work with multiple leaders & categories.
Pitch the biggest idea you’ve got.
It doesn’t get easier, you get better
One Goal Makes a Difference
In the 2014 World Cup, Clint Dempsey (USA) scored a single goal against Ghana – propelling the USA into the next round. It was a big moment, and by sheer chance, I had completed the asset used on the Nike Soccer Facebook page and supporting social channels. The asset even ran as an ad in NYC Times Square – I cannot overstate how inspiring & thrilling that was.
Dempsey's goal set off a chain of events that would forever change my life. I had only been working at Nike for one week (on a 2-week contract), and being the lucky designer put me in the spotlight along with Dempsey – especially with the Global Football team.
GLOBAL FOOTBALL
NIKE.COM
Nike Global Football Solar Flare on Nike Campus
Still working a few things out, but this campaign opened up some new Nike doors – ultimately leading to work updating digital screens for all the Niketowns across the USA.
2010-2014 • FREELANCE
As a freelance contractor, I primarily focused on design production and executing consistently branded digital ad campaigns, e-mails, and websites.
RAZORFISH
LEVI'S
MICROSOFT
COORS LIGHT
HOLLAND AMERICA
TRAVEL NEW ZEALAND
THECLYMB.COM
2006-2010 • THE FELT HAT
A STRATEGIC BRAND OFFICE
LESSONS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Everything. Communicates.
Brand strategy, execution, & how to present to clients.
Think outside the box, practically.
CLIENTS
REJUVENATION
LUCY
MARIO'S
AGAVE DENIM
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
TWIST JEWELRY
2001–2006 • OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATED IN 2006
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS • APPLIED VISUAL ARTS
WHAT'D I LEARN?
Conceptual Development & Execution
Collaborative Process
Divergent Experimentation
Project Management
Public Speaking
Hand Craft
DIGITAL SKILLS
Macintosh & Windows Platforms
Adobe CS Suite
Always Say
Thank You
During my senior year, legendary designers Nancy Skolos and Thomas Wedell completed a workshop on collage with the senior class of OSU graphic design students. It affected me so much that I ultimately did my senior thesis on collage as a medium and its uses in graphic design. I even sent them a copy and a letter expressing my gratitude.
They wrote back. In an enclosed package was a signed copy of their book: Type Image Message, and a letter thanking me for my excitement.
I was so inspired and eager to work – I couldn't wait to get out in the world and give it my best.
Full Post on Collage + College coming soon.
1999 • DBZ FANDOM & MAJIN PLANET
In 1999, I, Majin Mebs, founded Majin Planet: a Dragon Ball Z fansite. At the age of 16, I was unknowingly taking my first step into the design world, and about to start a domino effect of design firsts that would forever change the rest of my life.
LESSONS OF DBZ
Evil Must be Fought
Redemption is Possible
Mercy is a Virtue
Execution is Everything
My first piece of graphic design. Created in MS Paint on a PC running Windows95, at the age of 14.
OTHER INTERESTS
THE BATTLE OF FLEETS & FORTUNES
Over the last 5 years, I've been designing, developing, and playtesting a 4X-light battle royal board game: The Battle of Fleets & Fortunes. The prototype is in a final state (with hundreds of successful playtests) and is currently in the early stages of final production.
SCREENPLAYS & TREATMENTS
These works - finished and unfinished, are depictions and representations of concepts and ideas I've been battling my entire life. Some manifest in stinging romantic comedies, others in fantasy/horror, and some in DrangonballZ-inspired superhero mania.
FISHINGPDX
From crabbing & halibut fishing in the Pacific – to sturgeon and salmon fishing in the Columbia gorge, this channel allows me to showcase to the world my favorite outdoor hobby.
Let's Work Together
MEET THE DESIGNER
Explore the career of artist, designer, & creative problem solver Aaron Mebesius.
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Meet the Designer
Majin Planet: Origin of a Designer
Find Me on Linkedin