Resume

Jason Thomson

Creative Director | Designer | Brand Strategist | Entrepreneur

Jefferson, NY
thomsoncreates@gmail.com
Portfolio: www.thomsoncreates.com

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Creative Director, Designer, Brand Strategist, and Entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience building brands, businesses, and experiences that connect people with places. Proven success launching hospitality concepts, growing multimillion-dollar e-commerce operations, expanding editorial publications, and creating memorable identities through graphic design, branding, experiential design, storytelling, and craftsmanship. Skilled at leading projects from concept through execution while combining creative strategy with hands-on design, fabrication, and business development. Recognized for creating thoughtful, authentic, and lasting work across digital, physical, and cultural spaces.

CORE COMPETENCIES

  • Creative Direction

  • Brand Identity & Strategy

  • Graphic Design

  • Web Design & Development

  • Experiential & Hospitality Design

  • Editorial Writing & Storytelling

  • Public Art Fabrication & Installation

  • Furniture Design & Construction

  • Sign Painting & Hand Lettering

  • Project Management

  • Creative Entrepreneurship

  • Client & Project Development

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Creative Director & Principal Designer

Thomson Creates | Jefferson, NY | 2004–Present

  • Lead a multidisciplinary creative studio specializing in branding, visual identity, experiential and hospitality design, web design, fabrication, and storytelling.

  • Develop complete creative solutions that connect brands, spaces, and audiences through thoughtful design and craftsmanship.

  • Design websites, identities, signage, interiors, custom furniture, and branded experiences for hospitality, retail, and creative clients.

  • Guide projects from strategy and concept development through execution, fabrication, and production.

  • Combine digital design expertise with hands-on fabrication skills to create cohesive experiences across physical and digital spaces.

Selected Projects

Friends & Neighbors — Hudson Valley, NY
Brand Identity & Creative Direction

  • Developed the visual identity and branding for Friends & Neighbors, an event and wedding space and boutique hotel operated by Audrey’s Farmhouse hospitality group.

  • Created a cohesive brand system reflecting the property’s hospitality experience, sense of place, and connection to the Hudson Valley.

  • Designed supporting digital and visual assets to help establish the brand presence.

Super Abundant Atmospheres — Freelance Art Assistant

  • Assist with the production of large-scale commercial public art installations for internationally recognized artist Jacob Hashimoto.

  • Collaborate with artists, designers, and production teams to help bring complex creative concepts from development through completion.

  • Support material preparation, and production needs for immersive public artworks.

  • Contribute to projects including:

    • Oklahoma Children’s Hospital — Public Art Installation

    • Hotel Project — Indianapolis, IN — Public Art Installation

    • Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Practice Facility — Public Art Installation

Founder & Owner

High Voltage Coffee | Asbury Park, NJ | 2016–2024

  • Founded and developed an independent coffee shop brand that became part of Asbury Park’s creative community.

  • Created the complete brand identity, including logo, visual language, website, interior design, signage, furniture, and customer experience.

  • Directed creative strategy, operations, marketing, and brand development from concept through closure.

  • Built and grew the brand’s Instagram audience to more than 15,000 followers, establishing a strong digital presence and engaged community.

  • Created a cohesive hospitality experience by integrating design, storytelling, and physical space.

Founder & Owner

High Voltage Restaurant & Creek Bar | Mountaindale, NY | 2018–2024

  • Created and operated a destination restaurant and outdoor bar concept in the Catskill Mountains.

  • Developed the complete brand identity, website, signage, interior elements, and guest experience.

  • Designed and helped create a unique outdoor Creek Bar environment that became known as one of the region’s most distinctive restaurant settings.

  • Combined hospitality, design, and storytelling to create a memorable destination rooted in place and community.

  • Directed creative vision, operations, marketing, and brand development from concept through closure.

  • Built a strong regional following through thoughtful programming, unique atmosphere, and a highly differentiated hospitality experience.

Founder & Owner

The Seafarer | Highlands, NJ | 2016–2019

  • Created and launched a unique waterfront hospitality concept located inside a marina featuring a beach, dock, and views overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

  • Developed the complete brand experience, including identity, website, signage, interiors, furniture, and guest experience.

  • Directed creative vision, business development, and brand growth for a distinctive hospitality destination.

  • Built and grew the brand’s Instagram audience to more than 16,000 followers, creating a strong online community and destination identity.

  • Established a memorable hospitality environment centered around place, atmosphere, and connection.

Editor/Advertising

triCityNews | Asbury Park, NJ | 2004–Present

  • Write and edit feature stories covering arts, music, culture, local business, and community development.

  • Work directly with advertisers to develop exciting and impactful advertisements

  • Lead the production and layout of the entire newspaper on a weekly basis

  • Manage distribution of the newspaper and cultivation of new pickup locations

  • Helped grow the newspaper from approximately 36 pages to a high of 76 pages, contributing to editorial expansion and increased advertising capacity.

  • Authored thousands of articles documenting the cultural evolution and revitalization of Asbury Park over more than two decades.

  • Interview artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and business owners, producing in-depth features and profiles.

  • Develop story ideas, conduct research, edit content, and maintain high editorial standards for print.

  • Built trusted relationships within the regional arts and business community, helping tell the stories of the people and organizations shaping Asbury Park’s creative identity.

Ecommerce Manager

Dickson Supply Co. | Brielle, NJ | 1999–2004

  • Helped build the company’s e-commerce division from its early stages into a multimillion-dollar annual business.

  • Managed website operations, product catalog development, and online merchandising.

  • Collaborated on website design, functionality, and user experience during the formative years of e-commerce.

  • Coordinated product information, inventory, product photo shoots and digital marketing initiatives to support continued sales growth.

  • Worked across departments to improve online operations and customer experience.

Founder & Designer

Nomad Outdoor Lifestyle Brand | Asbury Park, NJ | 2015–2018

  • Created and developed an independent outdoor lifestyle brand featuring original apparel, including custom-designed T-shirts, hats, and related products.

  • Developed the complete brand identity, product designs, packaging, and visual direction.

  • Managed product development, sourcing, merchandising, and direct-to-consumer sales.

  • Sold products through Storehouse, a maker market on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, building direct relationships with customers and the local creative community.

  • Combined graphic design, illustration, branding, and entrepreneurship to create a complete lifestyle brand experience.

SELECTED CLIENTS

  • Audrey’s Farmhouse Hospitality Group — Hudson Valley, NY

  • Super Abundant Atmospheres - Brooklyn, NY

  • Catskill Brewery - Livingston Manor, NY

  • Namai - Kingston, NY

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Design
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Acrobat

Web
HTML, CSS, WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, Dreamweaver

Creative
Brand Identity, Graphic Design, Typography, Layout Design, Experiential Design, Sign Painting, Hand Lettering

Production
Furniture Design & Fabrication, Woodworking, Print Production

Editorial
Writing, Editing, Copy Editing, Content Strategy

Point of Sale Systems
Square, Clover

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS

  • Founded Thomson Creates, a multidisciplinary creative studio focused on branding, hospitality, experiential design, fabrication, and storytelling.

  • Built and operated hospitality brands from concept through execution, including High Voltage Coffee and The Seafarer.

  • Helped grow Dickson Supply Co.’s e-commerce operation into a multimillion-dollar annual business.

  • Helped expand triCityNews from approximately 36 pages to a high of 76 pages per issue.

  • Developed brand identities, websites, physical spaces, and customer experiences across hospitality, retail, and creative projects.

  • Contributed to large-scale public art installations for nationally recognized commercial and community spaces.