Résumé

Jesse Kline | Senior Brand Designer & Creative Director

Honolulu • klineworks@gmail.com

Profile

Creative director and senior designer with 35+ years leading brands, campaigns, presentations, and digital experiences for organizations including Apple, Adobe, universities, healthcare, and consumer brands. Combines strategic thinking, elite visual craft, and hands-on execution. Known for elevating brands quickly, simplifying complex ideas, and delivering polished work under pressure. 

Experience

Acting Creative Director

Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, HI — Jan 2026–Present

Oversight of the development of creative materials from initial concept through final production, including generating and refining creative concepts, executing high-quality graphic design, and managing the full production process to ensure projects are completed on time, on brand, and to the highest professional standards.

Senior Graphic Designer (remote)

The Argonaut, San Jose, CA — Feb 2019–Feb. 2025

Designed for Apple and Adobe exclusively, delivering visually compelling Keynote presentations, B2B eBooks, and social media campaigns. Created complex multipage illustrated documents for Apple. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure brand consistency and strategic alignment across all digital content.

Independent Art Director

Klineworks, Honolulu, HI — Jan 2013–Present

Directed creative strategies for diverse clients across web design, hosting, social media, print ads, and marketing collateral. Developed brand identity systems that elevated client positioning and market presence. Oversaw the full creative process from concept to execution, ensuring alignment with marketing objectives and client goals.

Creative Director

Hendrix Miyasaki Shin Advertising, Honolulu, HI — May 2010–Jan 2013

Led creative development for TV spots, social media campaigns, and print advertising, focusing on healthcare and lifestyle brands. Directed creatives to deliver high-impact campaigns.

Independent Art Director

Klineworks, Honolulu, HI — Dec 2008–May 2010

Directed creative strategies for diverse clients across web design, hosting, social media, print ads, and marketing collateral. Developed brand identity systems that elevated client positioning and market presence. Oversaw the full creative process for a diverse array of clients.

Senior Art Director

Anthology Marketing Group, Honolulu, HI — Dec 2006–Dec 2008

Oversaw digital and print design initiatives, ensuring brand consistency across all platforms. Collaborated with internal teams to develop integrated campaigns targeting tourism and high-end retail.

Senior Graphic Designer

MVNP Advertising, Honolulu, HI — Nov 2005–Oct 2006

Designed logos, print ads, social campaigns, and digital assets, collaborated with internal teams to develop integrated campaigns targeting tourism, real estate, and banking.

Art Director

Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu, HI — Oct 2001–Oct 2004

Oversaw all art matters for this historic aquarium. Designed exhibits, promotional campaigns, and digital assets, increasing visitor engagement and brand recognition. Led exhibit planning, managed vendors and volunteers, and developed educational materials to enhance visitor experience.

Creative Director

NativeMinds, San Francisco, CA — May 2000 - May 2001

Came in to do the brand, the website, and all the brand sales materials for this dot com startup. This product was virtual asistants (ECRM) that would help a visitor of a website. I had one direct report here

Art Director

Mjuice, San Francisco, CA — Oct 1999 - May 2000

Came in as a consultant to do the brand, the website, and all the brand sales materials for this dot com startup. This product was encrypted downloadable music, similar to what Apple Music is now. I had one direct report here. They were soon bought by Artist Direct.

Art Director

Getting it, San Francisco, CA — Jun 1999 - Oct 1999

This was a satire e-zine venture. They had several creative writers on staff and in this position I was able to hire lots of creative illustrators to illustrate the online stories. 

Assistant Art Director

FCB Healthcare Advertising, San Francisco, CA — Jun 1997 - Sep 1998

Assisted the Art Director, and was his creative assistant on a high profile product launch on the Seale Pharma account. Exhibit design, logo design, photo and video shoots, and new business pitches.

Production Artist

The Village Voice, New York, NY — Jan 1986 - Nov 1990

Production artist on an overnight team that put together the weekly Village Voice tabloid newspaper. Just before the desktop publishing revolution, so we were using paste-up with wax and using stat cameras to make films.

Teaching Positions

PACIFIC NEW MEDIA

Instructor: Adobe CC programs, 2012 - 2018 Honolulu

HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER

Corporate Trainer: Adobe Indesign 2015 - 2016 Honolulu

KAPIOLANI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Instructor: Introduction to Graphic Design 2003 FALL Honolulu

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA

instructor: Typography and Graphic Design 2002 FALL Honolulu

CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS

Instructor: Experimental Typography 2001 SUMMER San Francisco

Education

The Cooper Union, New York, NY — BFA Art, 1990

Creative Tools

InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, Claude Design, Adobe XD, Figma, After Effects, Keynote, PowerPoint, MS Office, Fresco.

Other Tools: Monday, Slack, Wrike, JIRA, Miro, Basecamp.

Awards for Art Direction

AAF-Hawaii Pele Advertising Awards

Gold – 2018, 2016, 2009 (2)

Silver – 2018 (2)

Bronze – 2018, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2007

AIGA-Honolulu NoGo Logo Awards

1st Place – 2006