Michael J Metz

Creative director. Graphic designer. Writer. Relentlessly curious. Leading meaningful execution rooted in discovery. 

Listener. Mentor. Collaborator. Building relationships on honest communication. 

Constructive. Proactive. Fixer. Welcoming challenge. Thriving under pressure.

Experience 

Metz Design Company   |   La Plata, MD
2021 – Present

Running and growing a branding and graphic design studio with the belief that good creative cuts deeper. Building brand foundations that guide meaningful, beautiful work audiences will connect with and follow. Providing top-level creative direction to partnering creative agencies.

K&G Contractors, FC Charles 1658, Southern Maryland Rush, Freddie Mac, USMSM, NACHC

Caprock Creative   |   Dallas, TX
Creative Director   |  Oct 2019 – Feb 2025

Integral to Caprock's inception and rebranding of the agency as a creative leader in the hospitality industry. Built brand identities and guidelines, advertising campaigns, and marketing toolkits. Interfaced with clients regularly, scoped projects, and organized efficient project workflows. Our work for the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile App saw overwhelmingly positive returns, with app downloads and usage at an all-time high.

Marriott Bonvoy, Various Hotels and Hotel Brands, Vacations by Marriott, NexChlor 

HZ   |   Baltimore, MD   |   a WPP company, part of the BCW network
Assoc. Creative Director & Creative Director   |   Aug 2016 – Oct 2019

Led creative teams on various accounts, collaborating across multiple offices. Wrote and implemented a creative manifesto to set team expectations. Restructured the creative team to empower team leaders and organized a coherent workflow. Managed the health of the team and promoted individual growth. Conceptualized, wrote, designed, and directed highly impacting brand guidelines, campaigns, social media content, web, and video. 

Hilton Honors, Kawasaki Engines, OPEI, Wiley, International Champions Cup, Maryland Business

NDG Communications   |   La Plata, MD
Creative Director   |   Aug 2013 – Aug 2016

Cultivated a creative team. Wrote and developed project workflows and best practices. Responsible for project scopes and timelines. Managed administrative needs, including hiring, personal growth, reviews, and terminations. Conceptualized, presented, and executed award-winning work, delivering brand strategies and identities, websites, environmental experiences, packaging, and mobile apps.    

Winchester Homes, Brookfield Residential, Mid-Atlantic Builders, Augustine Homes

HZ   |   Rockville, MD
SR. Designer & Art Director   |   May 2011 – Jul 2013

Crafted brands from scratch and delivered meaningful creative solutions. I said “yes” to everything and gained exposure to many clients and opportunities to learn, guide, and direct.  

Conair for Men, VW, Blackboard, Washington Redskins, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Eagles, Bozzuto, JBG, California Tortilla

NDG Communications   |   La Plata, MD
SR. Designer & Art Director   |   Feb 2005 – Apr 2011

Proud to have been the first hire and a contributor to rapid growth. Mastered print and digital production, created and executed campaign strategies, and became well-versed in UX design. Led a team of designers, owning the creative process from proposal to final delivery.  

K. Hovnanian Homes, The Arc, Smithsonian, Washington Nationals, Civista Hospital

Comella Design Group   |   Bethesda, MD
Graphic Designer   |   Sep 2004 – Feb 2005

A brief but life-impacting opportunity at a lovely boutique shop where I grew as a designer and learned the importance of cultivating true client partnerships.  

Eagle Bank, The Peterson Companies, Borger Management

dio® Strategic Marketing   |   York, PA
Graphic designer & Art Director   |   May 2001 – Aug 2004

I was given incredible responsibility as a young creative—designing, concepting, writing, directing,  illustrating, retouching, set building, presenting, and using insane quantities of spray mount.

Community Banks, National Civil War Museum, Suscom, Coventry Healthcare, Junior Achievement of SCPA

Skills

Creative Direction & Leadership

  • Creative Strategy & Vision

  • Concept Development & Ideation

  • Team Development & Mentorship

  • Cross-functional Team Collaboration

  • Client Relationships & Presentations

  • Project Scoping & Workflow Optimization

Branding & Design

  • Brand Identity & Strategy

  • Logo Design & Visual Identity

  • Brand Guidelines Creation

  • Graphic Design & Art Direction

  • Illustration Design & Iconography

  • Print & Digital Production

  • Packaging & Environmental Design

  • UX/UI, Web & Mobile App Design

Advertising

  • Advertising Campaigns & Copywriting

  • Campaign Concepting & Execution

  • Social Media Content Creation

  • Photography & Video Direction

Industry Expertise

  • Sports, Hospitality, Corporate, Non-profits, Real Estate, Outdoor Power Equipment, Healthcare

Tools

  • Adobe Creative Suite Expert (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)

  • Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Squarespace

Education

Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts
York, PA   |   fall 1999 – spring 2001
Degree in Specialized Technology,
Graphic Design Major