Thomas McAuley

UI/UX Designer & Visual Strategist

Creative Direction

I bring a thoughtful, collaborative approach to creative direction, ensuring that every project is cohesive, impactful, and aligned with the client’s goals. My focus is always on developing compelling visual narratives and strategies that not only capture attention but also deliver results.

What sets me apart is my ability to seamlessly integrate a diverse skill set—traditional graphic design, storytelling, branding, and UI/UX design—into every project. Whether you need a brand identity that resonates, a marketing campaign that stands out, or design leadership that inspires, I’ve done it all across industries. With experience spanning everything from small businesses to enterprise-level clients, I’m confident in leading creative processes that drive success.

Creative Direction Portfolio

Bexar County's "Your County. Be Counted." Voter Education and Outreach Program

About the Program

This comprehensive voter outreach and education campaign required an innovative and multifaceted approach to engage and inform the diverse population of Bexar County, Texas. As the largest county in the region, the challenge lay in addressing voter misconceptions, navigating legal sensitivities, and creating a campaign that fostered trust and engagement.

My Role & Key Contributions

I served as the primary campaign creator, designer, and copywriter. Collaborating closely with a small team, I spearheaded the campaign from the initial RFP response to final execution. My responsibilities included designing all campaign collateral, writing compelling copy for both print and digital materials, and co-directing a television spot to ensure the message resonated with the target audience.

  • RFP Success: Co-planned, co-wrote, and designed the winning RFP response, securing the project.
  • Campaign Strategy: Rapidly gained expertise in legal voter education nuances by coordinating with legal advisors over a six-month timeline.
  • Design Execution: Delivered a wide array of collateral, including mailers, TV and radio spots, flyers, newsletters, social media posts, and event signage.
  • Creative Direction: Co-directed a TV spot and designed materials that adhered to strict guidelines while maintaining visual appeal and clarity.
Pic: Bexar County "Your County. Be Counted." campaign video still

Impact

This project showcases my ability to lead a campaign of significant scale, balancing creative design, strategic messaging, and compliance with legal requirements. It demonstrates my capacity to take ownership of every aspect of a project—from ideation to execution—and to collaborate effectively under tight deadlines.

Pic: Bexar County "Your County. Be Counted." campaign poster
Pic: Bexar County "Your County. Be Counted." campaign website and voting pin

More soon.

Related Skills

Creative Leadership & Strategy

Creative Vision Development
Team Leadership
Project Ideation and Direction
Strategic Branding
Campaign Planning and Execution
Creative Strategy Alignment with Business Goals
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Concept Development
Goal-Oriented Decision Making
Mentorship and Team Development
Resource Management
Conflict Resolution
Creative Workflow Optimization
Stakeholder Communication
Pitching Ideas to Clients and Executives
Client Relationship Management
Trend Analysis and Forecasting
Innovative Problem Solving
Creative Direction for Multi-Platform Campaigns

Design Oversight & Execution

Overseeing Design Standards
Art Direction
UI/UX Oversight
Multi-Platform Content Creation
Graphic Design Supervision
Visual Storytelling
Collaborating with Copywriters
Ensuring Brand Consistency
Typography Direction
Color Palette Curation
Iconography Supervision
Mood Board Creation
Photography and Video Direction

Campaign Development

Integrated Marketing Campaigns
Multi-Channel Advertising
Social Media Campaigns
Digital Campaigns
Print Campaigns
Email Marketing Direction
Event Marketing Materials
Creating Comprehensive Media Kits
Product Launch Campaigns
Developing Campaign Timelines

User Client & Industry Expertise

Understanding Client Needs
Adapting to Various Industries
Military/Federal Design Expertise
Enterprise-Level Campaign Management
B2B Campaign Development
Consumer-Focused Marketing
Crisis Communication Campaigns
Nonprofit Campaigns
Healthcare Branding and Design
Entertainment and Gaming Campaigns

Copywriting & Messaging

Crafting Clear Messaging
Advertising Copywriting
Tagline and Slogan Creation
Editing and Proofreading
Creative Writing for Narratives
Marketing Copywriting
RFP Writing and Proposal Development
Script Writing for Ads and Media
Speech and Presentation Writing

Technical & Design Tools

Adobe Creative Suite Expertise
Figma
InVision
Prototyping Tools
Presentation Software (PowerPoint, Keynote)
MidJourney (AI-Assisted Design)
ChatGPT (AI-Assisted Copywriting)
Project Management Tools (JIRA, Monday.com, Asana)
Design System Implementation
Digital Asset Management

Brand Development & Management

Developing Brand Guidelines
Creating Visual Identities
Rebranding Initiatives
Brand Storytelling
Establishing Brand Voice
Logo Design Oversight
Packaging Design Supervision
Ensuring Cohesion Across Platforms
Product Naming and Identity

Collaboration & Team Dynamics

Fostering Creative Collaboration
Building Inclusive Teams
Facilitating Brainstorming Sessions
Delegation and Task Management
Encouraging Innovation
Inspiring Teams to Achieve Goals
Maintaining Open Communication
Balancing Client Needs with Team Input
Motivating Under Tight Deadlines
Coaching and Career Development for Team Members

Storytelling & Narrative Development

Creating Compelling Narratives
Developing Story-Driven Campaigns
Worldbuilding for Brands
Character and Scenario Development
Gamified Storytelling
Integrating Narrative with Visual Design
Tailoring Stories for Target Audiences

Client Presentation & Feedback

Leading Client Presentations
Handling Constructive Criticism
Implementing Client Feedback
Client Education on Design and Strategy
Building Client Trust
Developing Long-Term Client Relationships

Emerging Technologies & Trends

Adapting to AI in Design
Exploring New Design Tools
Staying Updated on Industry Trends
Pioneering New Creative Solutions
Integrating AR/VR in Campaigns
Understanding the Impacts of Social Media Algorithms

Soft Skills & Leadership Traits

Empathy in Design
Adaptability
Critical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Big Picture Thinking
Time Management
Active Listening
Creative Problem Solving
Managing Stress Under Pressure
Encouraging Open Feedback
Maintaining a Positive Team Environment

Let’s Work Together!

Call, Email, or Reach Out on LinkedIn