The Washington State Wine Commission asked us create a marketing campaign, specifically targeting taste influencers around the country. So, we created an app filled with interesting articles, guides, and facts about Washington wines, plus some entertaining videos from “the Recommendeuer” — a character we developed with the talented comedian, Greg Proops.

I designed the look and feel of the project, from the typography, set design, app design, all the way down to his suit and tie. We custom-packaged the app on complimentary iPad Minis, each with a personalized video, inviting wine experts to watch and learn from the International Wine Mastermind-slash-comedian.

I also designed in-store point-of-sale materials, posters, event materials and more. The project generated good buzz and a sold a lot of wine. It was later featured in Adweek.

Agency: GreenRubino
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

In 2021, Sound Transit opened three beautiful new Link light rail stations that make it much easier to get from one end of the region to another.

To promote this event, a comprehensive marketing was launched. I conceived the main “Welcome” graphic brand of the promotion and art directed a team of designers to create colorful installations in each of the new stations. This included illustrating an eye-catching tour map of the region and art directing a series of vibrant portraits, featuring nearby business owners and neighbors to welcome riders to stations and the surrounding communities.

CD/Design: Dennis Budell

The best way for Seattle area commuters to pay for riding public transportation, is to use an ORCA card. Use it for Link light rail, Sounder trains, the Monorail or any of the public buses.

In 2022, ORCA is launching an exciting new brand with features to make payments easier.

I designed a new ORCA logo that embodies the spirit of the Puget Sound, and created the brand guidelines for the new website, the ORCA app, retail packaging and promotions.

Client: ORCA
AD/Design/Illustration: Dennis Budell

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Link light rail and the 20th anniversary of the Sounder commuter train, Sound Transit released limited edition ORCA cards. These cards were created to capture not only the iconic vehicle designs, but the highlights of the places they travel and the heart of the surrounding communities. They were enormously popular as 1,000 Link Light Rail cards sold out in a single morning.

AD/Design: Dennis Budell

“The Voice of Reason” was a long-lasting and successful marketing campaign we conceived for Sound Transit. She stood as a beacon of commonsense wisdom, intended to show that public transit is a better option for your daily commute.

For print and out-of-home, “The Voice of Reason” told you what she thought: stop doing what you're doing. The campaign of “un” messaging spoke to everyone stuck in unrelenting traffic. For a fun and authentic treatment, we hand-knitted eye-catching letters as a nice reminder that you may want to reconsider your commute. Those "un" messages translated to television commercials urging drivers to let go and free themselves from driving.

Agency: GreenRubino
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

When you have a solid dental plan that covers your oral healthcare needs, you've got “smile power.” I used this concept to demonstrate how individual members have their own personal reasons for their smile power. We targeted people with nice teeth, with a series of magazine ads, out-of-home, trolley wraps, and digital banners.

Before Smile Power, our campaign for Delta Dental focused on being "In Network." So our theme highlighted the absurdities of confusing insurance plans, versus every day life experiences.

Agency: GreenRubino
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

Snoqualmie Casino rises “above it all” with first-class amenities at an elevated and beautiful location just 30 minutes east of Seattle, Washington. This campaign provides a fresh and approachable “lift” to the brand with an anthem based on living, playing, and whooping it up. The “Above It All” theme doubled as a brand promise for both internal and external communications.

For this campaign, I designed a fully-functioning "Above it All" lighted sign for television and print. Then I used CGI-rendered typography for the rest of the headlines. But the models had to jump without any special effects.

Agency: GreenRubino
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

Columbia Trust Company is an investment branch within the Columbia Bank network. They are mostly independent of the parent brand, so they needed a look of their own.

I designed the brand mark with four peaks to symbolize Washington, Oregon and Idaho, with the fourth representing their banking services. All the peaks form one big mountain. Then I created the graphic standards and assets for the brand to emphasize brilliant blue colors and geometric angles.

Agency: GreenRubino
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

Food Lifeline is an organization that works with local restaurants, corporations, and grocers to ensure that unsold food gets to food banks and into the hands and mouths of hungry people. It’s a mission to be proud of, and worthy of a good campaign to support it.

I developed a public awareness campaign that turns the food table by showing the joy that occurs when unwanted food is connected to people in need. These ads served as inspiration to volunteers and community members alike.

Agency: GreenRubino
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

KCTS9, the Seattle PBS affiliate, needed a brand refresh. As their programming and content delivery systems evolved, a new look and theme was necessary to add relevance, freshness and excitement. 

We set out to unlock the curious minds that find themselves drawn to KCTS’s brand of locally inspired smart and fun programming. That's how InquisiTV was born. By combining the letters “TV” with words that exemplify what KCTS stands for, the concept could adapt, evolve, and engage—much like KCTS9 itself.

Agency: GreenRubino
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

Jacksons convenience stores are spread across Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. In addition to the standard packaged food, beverages and roller hotdogs offered in their stores, Jacksons launched their own brand of in-store food products with the introduction of Jacksons Beef Jerky. 

I designed the packaging and the in-store displays to have an authentic Western appeal, while also looking contemporary, fresh, and inviting to your taste buds.

This product is currently featured among the Best Packaging Designs for 2023 on DesignRush.

Agency: DrakeCooper
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

When voters in Seattle passed a measure to increase the number of buses running throughout the city, we were challenged to raise awareness for the new fleet and their extended routes and services.

I created a campaign showcasing a fleet of beautiful new energy-efficient buses, set against dynamic backgrounds and snappy headlines. The campaign was successful and the new buses were quickly filled to standing room only.

Agency: GreenRubino
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

Columbia Bank has a long-standing reputation as a trusted community bank in the Pacific Northwest. I developed several memorable ad campaigns that featured their iconic “blue couch” as a brand element.

The first campaign touted their expertise in banking and partnering with small-to-medium-size businesses. Below that, is a high-end brochure I designed to give potential investors a wealth of information about their wealth management services. It included a large blue rubber band, binding the brochure together as a symbolic statement that Columbia Banks' goals are closely bound to yours.

Agency: GreenRubino
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

One of the best drinks an athlete can have after a hard workout is chocolate milk. It contains all the necessary vitamins and proteins to regenerate the body. With the help of two-time Olympic Gold Medal-winning cyclist Kristen Armstrong, I designed a successful campaign of TV, print, outdoor, and digital to raise overall awareness and sales of chocolate milk.

Agency: DrakeCooper
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare needed help creating an anti-smoking campaign targeted at teens. We began by developing a new brand and we called it Project Filter. Here are a couple TV spots we created to show the dangers of smoking and the lack of independence individuals have when hooked on cigarettes. This campaign won a Northwest Addy and was featured in Communication Arts magazine.

Agency: DrakeCooper
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

I worked on the Idaho Lottery account for many years and helped launch them as a public enterprise and rebranded them on two occasions.

My creative partner and I conceived these spots, while working with modest budgets and still maintaining high production standards. The TV campaign for Pick 3 "Play Your Way" won "Best of Show" at the Northwest Addys and was featured in Communication Arts magazine, while the Twister commercial won a national Annie (Animation) award.

Agency: DrakeCooper
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

The combination of teens and alcohol has always been a toxic mix of danger and bad decisions. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare asked us to help educate teens about these dangers, without getting too preachy.

We developed a campy laboratory concept about a fictional institution, Intoxicor, that studies the harmful effects of binge drinking through a series of painful experiments. The message was clear: teen drinking can be sobering.

Agency: DrakeCooper
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell

A group of enterprising German beer and food distributors dreamed up a way to bring their finest brews, brats, and Bavarian culture to America. A traveling Octoberfest, complete with tents, food, and entertainment, was expertly designed to tour several major U.S. cities.

We crafted this campaign of video, radio, out-of-home, and posters to be adapted to each market. I designed the posters using actual Bavarian architectural mosaics for a more authentic look. The posters won Addy awards and were featured in Lürzer's Archive magazine.

Agency: DrakeCooper
ACD/AD: Dennis Budell