Hello
My name is Brett Essman. I am an Integrated Art Director, a pixel pusher, an idea engineer, a wing connoisseur, a burger fanatic, a husband and a dog father. I grew up in a small town in Southwest Minnesota with a population of 1000 people, give or take 50. My parent’s owned the only grocery store, Keith’s Grocery and Bake Shop, located on the main street of town. Growing up, the store’s office doubled as my playroom where I was surrounded by talk of sales, marketing and brands. I created my first ad when I was four. It emphasized to our customers why they “needed” the new brand of cereal through a thoughtful layout using construction paper and crayons.
By the age of 8, I was promoted Assistant of the Head Meat Cutter (my dad). I was in charge of packaging, weighing it and labeling the meat appropriately with bright neon stickers and then placing them in properly labeled cases. This is where I was first exposed to the importance of hierarchy and (very) basic typography. By age 13, I was promoted to Product manager with much pride. I took the liberty of making my own uniforms for my (one-person) department and through the array of colorful fruits and vegetables began creating aesthetically pleasing vegetable and fruit arrangements.
While growing up I discovered my passion for creativity through the grocery store, art classes, landscaping and cooking. I ventured to north central Minnesota to attend college at St. Cloud State University to make a career out of this passion. I studied Mass Communications with an emphasis on Advertising. After completing my undergraduate studies I began my adventure in Portfolio School. Throughout this time I immersed myself in all things advertising and drank large amounts of coffee while managing my time between school, work and sleep. And I loved every minute of this journey.
I love every second of what I do from concepting to the finished product. I am eager to learn from others who have been successful in the industry and my peers. Through my career as an art director I hope to have a hand in making a brand famous and influencing and shaping pop culture.
By the age of 8, I was promoted Assistant of the Head Meat Cutter (my dad). I was in charge of packaging, weighing it and labeling the meat appropriately with bright neon stickers and then placing them in properly labeled cases. This is where I was first exposed to the importance of hierarchy and (very) basic typography. By age 13, I was promoted to Product manager with much pride. I took the liberty of making my own uniforms for my (one-person) department and through the array of colorful fruits and vegetables began creating aesthetically pleasing vegetable and fruit arrangements.
While growing up I discovered my passion for creativity through the grocery store, art classes, landscaping and cooking. I ventured to north central Minnesota to attend college at St. Cloud State University to make a career out of this passion. I studied Mass Communications with an emphasis on Advertising. After completing my undergraduate studies I began my adventure in Portfolio School. Throughout this time I immersed myself in all things advertising and drank large amounts of coffee while managing my time between school, work and sleep. And I loved every minute of this journey.
I love every second of what I do from concepting to the finished product. I am eager to learn from others who have been successful in the industry and my peers. Through my career as an art director I hope to have a hand in making a brand famous and influencing and shaping pop culture.