Thomas Mills

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ThomasM. Mills

Thomas M. Mills

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Biography

Kalamazoo Valley Community College - Marketing

Ideation Specialist I Strategist I Designer I Photographer I Product Development/Packaging Designer-Artist/Entrepreneur
Think Tanks
Thomas
Mills
Kalamazoo, Michigan Area
40 years experience in communications, graphic design, marketing, branding, identity enhancement, photography, public relations, special event planning and execution, private and nonprofit sector marketing, development and visual communications.

Everyday I wake up and ask myself what I can do to help?

I seek to make positive contributions to the world and I do so by forming strategic relationships with people I can trust, respect, admire and with whom I can enjoy working. Using my creative ability is paramount in all aspects of my life, both personal and professional.

Specialties: Exceptional ideation and conceptual abilities. Performance-driven, proven capital campaign marketing collateral. Professional caliber digital photography. Innovative, new branding and green product packaging concepts.

Experience

  • MillsIdeas

    CEO

    Thomas worked at MillsIdeas as a CEO

  • MillsIdeas

    President

    • Brand Development, brand strategy and design
    • Marketing, marketing plans, strategy and collateral design
    • Graphic Design
    • Project Management
    • Development & Fundraising

  • IdeaFish

    Catalyst

    Collaborative resource dedicated to using the power of ideas to support the growth of business and culture.

    Partnering with Thomas Hamann, Owner of ZGH Design and other area creative professionals (Paul Sizer, Nicholas Postema, Jennifer Copeland, Aaron White). Together, Thomas Hamann and I offer clients more than 50 years of collective marketing, design, branding, photography, new media and web design expertise and experience.

  • Kalamazoo Valley Community College

    Adjunct Special Projects Faculty • Branding Initiative/Lead Designer

    Collaborated in the development of an award-winning, comprehensive branding initiative for the community college. Personally responsible for leading the conceptual direction and creating an innovative, new approach to branding i.e. the development and implementation of a ThoughtMark™ as an evocative, visual representation of the school's brand promise (.edyou™).

  • Kalamazoo Valley Community College

    Advanced Graphic Design Instructor

    I devoted myself to sharing more than 35 years of business experience as a creative professional with my students through my Advanced Graphic Design and Portfolio classes. I believe in nurturing, mentoring, inspiring, leading by example and bringing out the latent creative capabilities in every individual. A significant number of well-placed students in a variety of creative pursuits throughout the country is my reward.

  • Volunteer Kalamazoo

    History of Graphic and Web Design Instructor

    Led a new and exciting group of students in an innovative approach to experiencing and learning graphic and web design history. Exceptional students...exceptional results!

  • Consort Display Group

    Creative Consultant

    Working independently as a Creativity Consultant. A significant amount of my time is spent using a process I perfected “Strategy, Concept, Design” for Consort Display Group, as well as other firms and individuals bringing green products to market for inventors. I've developed innovative conceptual ideas for these products, receiving industry-based award winning solutions in branding, packaging, sales and marketing collateral, website and tradeshow booth design.

Education

  • Albion College

    Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

    Pre-Law/Fine Art
    DJ at college radio station, played variety of intramural sports and achieved a second major (Fine Art) in 1 1/2 years beginning second semester of my junior year.

  • Albion College

    B.A.

    Pre Law, Fine Art
    Achieved a dual major – Pre Law/Fine Art and a fantastic liberal arts education.

Publications

  • MillsImages Vol1

    Self-published/Issuu

    A second, small catalog featuring a few more of my digital images.

  • MillsImages Vol1

    Self-published/Issuu

    A second, small catalog featuring a few more of my digital images.

  • Park Trades Center GuideBook 2011

    Self-published/Issuu

    This is a working DRAFT of a new electronic design project. This will be the third consecutive year that I've designed a guidebook to represent Kalamazoo area artists working from studios in the PTC. Sarah Strong, John Thingstad, and Lesa Sanchez of the PTC staff assisted in the development of the first two efforts.

  • MillsImages Vol1

    Self-published/Issuu

    A second, small catalog featuring a few more of my digital images.

  • Park Trades Center GuideBook 2011

    Self-published/Issuu

    This is a working DRAFT of a new electronic design project. This will be the third consecutive year that I've designed a guidebook to represent Kalamazoo area artists working from studios in the PTC. Sarah Strong, John Thingstad, and Lesa Sanchez of the PTC staff assisted in the development of the first two efforts.

  • Digital Images

    Self-published/Issuu

    A teaser catalog of digital images. Many of my images have been featured in juried fine art competitions. I've been the fortunate recipient of Best in Show (digital category) and Purchase Awards for this work.

  • MillsImages Vol1

    Self-published/Issuu

    A second, small catalog featuring a few more of my digital images.

  • Park Trades Center GuideBook 2011

    Self-published/Issuu

    This is a working DRAFT of a new electronic design project. This will be the third consecutive year that I've designed a guidebook to represent Kalamazoo area artists working from studios in the PTC. Sarah Strong, John Thingstad, and Lesa Sanchez of the PTC staff assisted in the development of the first two efforts.

  • Digital Images

    Self-published/Issuu

    A teaser catalog of digital images. Many of my images have been featured in juried fine art competitions. I've been the fortunate recipient of Best in Show (digital category) and Purchase Awards for this work.

  • Park Trades Center and Beyond

    Self-published/Issuu

    An homage to the core group of individuals who help me launch a series of events and activities beneficial to the artists themselves, and the Kalamazoo, Michigan community.