ABOUT ME

I am an Assistant Design Director, with experience managing an international and domestic design team, while working with high end client projects. My background in industrial design has given me a unique perspective in exhibit and architectural design. I am passionate about all aspects of the design process, but what I enjoy most is cultivating relationships with my design team. This allows me to learn their individual strengths so that we can better perform as a unit to deliver excellence consistently.

My drive and commitment to keep learning while leading a dedicated and well trained team has contributed to our design team’s success. I was able to improve the productivity of the design department by implementing a new streamlined work flow and new communication standards internally and with clients. These improvements have led to more precise designs and a higher rate of success with clients. While drive, determination, and hard work of a team are important, I believe work/life balance of each team member has been a key to the growth and success of the department and the company.

Outside of work, my wife and I have two young kids. We love hanging out with friends and family, going to the beach, and traveling. I am a car enthusiast and love going to car shows with my son. I also love meeting new people and learning new things. For further discussion, please feel free to reach out to me at brent.sparkman@gmail.com.

EDUCATION

AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Bachelors of Industrial Design

Industrial Design 2011

EXPERTISE

Design Management

Exhibit Design

Product Design

Concept Development

Design Trend Research

Visual Communication / Presentation

Vendor Relations

SKILLS

Vectorworks

Cinema 4D

Photoshop

InDesign

Illustrator

SolidWords

Form Study Prototyping

KeyShot

Photography

EXPERIENCE

ABSOLUTE EXHIBITS, INC. - January 2014 - Present

Assistant Design Director- October 2019 - Present

-big picture focus on the design department and creating a vision for future direction
-creating and maintaining design standards
-establishing internal policies and procedures
-a focus on the profitability of the design department by working to reduce errors, reduce revisions, overall time management, streamline basic practices, manage building procedures, differentiating us from the competition, etc.
-the liaison between the sales department and the design department, promoting team cooperation and communication
-defining and communicating goals for the design department and continually checking on the progress throughout the year
-providing direction and leadership to the design team
-educating the sales team on design and pricing
-R&D of new materials, vendors, and building techniques as well as maintaining an expertise in industry knowledge
-building and cultivating relationships with vendors
-in charge of the design schedule- coordinating with workloads to accommodate needs and foreseeing overloads, vacations, or side projects
-pricing projects and educating the design team on pricing
-involved in quarterly reviews of the designers
-helping evaluate client’s needs and determining scope of work required for a project
-participating in sales meetings and leading design meetings
-conflict resolution and prevention
-being a resource for other designers
-stepping in with larger projects to lend knowledge and help where needed
-teaching the other designers various techniques in rendering, building processes, pricing, etc.
-showcasing items found from R&D as well as industry trends
-challenging the design team to push harder and find creative ways to help set us apart from the competition
-taking on predominantly the larger higher end client’s projects

Senior Designer- February 2015 - October 2019

-taking on predominantly the larger higher end client’s projects
-senior level of knowledge of our company, design/production capabilities, and pricing
-relations and knowledge of vendors to source items
-client relations for my projects
-meeting with sales and clients for other large projects I am involved in, but not directly designing
-creating impactful and more in-depth render packets for our higher end clients and teaming up with the sales executive to help close the harder sales
-R&D into new innovative ways to set our designs apart from our competition’s designs- render techniques/applications, design packets, A/V, AR/VR, materials, building techniques, etc.
-attending shows to keep up with industry trends and study ways to keep us ahead of the competition

Exhibit Designer- January 2014 - February 2015

-client interaction with sales to assess clients’ needs and goals
-presenting ideas to clients as sketches, CAD model, and detailed renderings
-understanding and interpreting the correct materials and costs involved in constructing the design
-liasing between design and production teams

APPLE - January 2012 - June 2012

Specialist and Visuals Expert

-setting up and maintaining store visuals
-helping our clients get the most out of their Apple products with a technical expertise, a love for problem solving, and a dedication to quality customer service combined with the interpersonal skills necessary to get to know our clients on a personal level in order to find creative solutions to meet their needs

BRENT SPARKMAN DESIGN - May 2011 - Present

Owner / Designer

-Actualizing my clients product ideas through research and development, ideation, prototyping, manufacturing, and marketing. Developing relationships with clients to cultivate a strong level of trust resulting in repeat business.