mary ellen putignano
mary ellen putignano
bio
Eccleston Design, founder. Clients included: JMB Federated, [designed promotions and directory signage for their malls, nationwide], Paperplains/Mix, a trend-setting paper goods company, [designed a collection of gift wrap featured in Metropolis Magazine and Bloomingdales Scandinavian store promotion.]
Bambergers/Macys. Created promotional material for all store events.
Scholastic Magazine. Designed two kids weekly magazines.
1978-82
2 yrs School of Visual Arts,
2 yrs Syracuse University, BFA
1960
Born in New Jersey
February 5
publications
Print Magazine 1984 Design Award Annual, Metropolis Magazine Dec. 1985 Issue,
Graphis Issue 354
1982-1990
Aves Advertising. Helped establish a Chicago-based art dept. to service the needs of the Merchandise Mart. Designed, implemented graphic programs for all the marts events, collaborating with internationally recognized artists.
Landor Associates. The strategic branding firm responsible for the FedEx brand. As Senior Designer, worked in the environmental branding group with a team of architects and interior designers on branding and retail/restaurant design.
Gear. Owned by design guru Raymond Waites. Worked on children’s fashions and surface designs.
Mothercare. A leading international maternity and children’s brand owned by Conrans. Worked on catalogue, ads and children’s fashion designs.
Conrans. Worked for Sir Terence Conran, the originator of modern living home goods, on product, promotion and packaging design.
2005
Founded Surface, a multi-disciplinary retail design advisory firm and launching pad for new home, fashion and entertainment brands.
1991-2004
Crate and Barrel. Worked as both Design Manager and Product Developer. Was the first design hire, established the graphic department along with the V.P. Creative Director, and was instrumental in building this highly successful home brand into what it is today.
Designed the CB2 store identity and spearheaded the graphic design portion of the project.
Managed the private label packaging department, which produced over 2500 packaging projects a year. Working with hundreds of overseas and U.S. manufacturers, sourcing new materials, forms and techniques to reinforce the brand.
As Product Developer, designed and developed exclusive product, researched market trends and sourced talent, working with them from start-to-finished on licensed goods. Licensed designers included; Marimekko, Dwell Studio, Hable Construction.