Today we’d like to introduce you to John Avila.
Thanks for sharing your story with us John. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my own design firm, Avila Creative in 2011, after leaving Edelman Worldwide after 18 years. While at Edelman I helped launch the agency’s first design group in the early 90’s and led the award-winning design group for eight years. I was instrumental in developing numerous longstanding client relationships and before leaving helped launch Edelman’s integrated marketing group, Ruth, where I led the design arm of the national studio.
At Avila Creative, I leverage over 30 years in professional design having served a diverse range of clients that has included the American Medical Association (AMA), Bunge, Burger King, Case New Holland, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Citgo, City of Chicago, Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI), GE, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Foods, McGladrey, Microsoft, Motorola, Merck, Oshkosh Corporation, Pfizer, RSM, SC Johnson, Scott Foresman, Shell, Starbucks, True Value Company, Unilever, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Whirlpool, Wrigley and others.
I am proud I have been recognized with more than 100 industry awards over my career and have had my work published in Print magazine and Graphic Design: USA. I was honored to be invited to be the keynote speaker discussing trends in annual reports to a global audience at the 26th Annual ARC Awards in NYC a few years back. I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I am lucky to say that my 18 years experience at Edelman set me up to orchestrate all kinds of design projects and pull together precise teams for various projects.
Although my revenue has grown every year so far during the six years of my business, a challenge has always been cash flow as often my diverse clients pay me inconsistently. However, I like to think it is getting better with new processes and technology we have put into place.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Avila Creative – what should we know?
We are a small, nimble design firm that provides highly strategic, concept-driven communication design to help clients achieve business success. We deliver optimal value to our clients through the personal attention and agility of a small firm, balanced with the expertise of a world-class agency.
We support clients across all industries with impactful creative solutions to meet a wide range of communication needs, including annual reports, branding, identity, corporate communications, financial communications, digital communications, marketing collateral, presentations, sustainability/CSR communications, and websites. Our specialty is in annual reports and sustainability reports.
We have a proven network of talented and seasoned collaborators to provide a customized, integrated team to achieve your objectives. Our network includes brand strategists, designers, presentation specialists, photographers, illustrators, writers, programmers, video producers, media buyers, PR specialists and research experts.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Three Communications Design who I share space with has been a big support from the beginning in many ways along with my amazing accountant, Dan Stryker and my business lawyer John Albee.
I also have a regular ‘virtual’ staff of about 12 designers and other creatives who support Avila Creative and are amazing!
Contact Info:
- Address: John Avila, Principal
4507 North Ravenswood, Suite 105
Chicago, IL 60640 - Website: www.avilacreativeinc.com
- Phone: 312-771-3297
- Email: john@avilacreativeinc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avilacreativeinc/
Image Credit:
Steven Gross, GenderCool Logo, Walgreens Boots Alliance Corporate Social Responsibility Report, True Value Corporation Annual Report, Bank of the West/Wealth Management Graphic Novel, Howard Brown Health Impact Report
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
