Craig Kunce

Creative Director | Art Director | Design Educator | Brand & Visual Storytelling Leader

Professional Summary

Creative leader with over two decades of experience guiding the intersection of branding, design, and marketing strategy, paired with 10+ years of hands-on team leadership and 11+ years in higher education. Known for working side-by-side with teams to concept, design, and deliver high-quality creative across print, digital, and product environments.

Brings a rare combination of industry execution, academic leadership, and entrepreneurial ownership—having led in-house creative teams, developed and taught college-level curriculum, and built a multi-channel publishing and licensing brand from the ground up.

Passionate about developing both strong creative outcomes and strong people—with a track record of helping thousands of students and creatives grow their skills, build portfolios, and launch meaningful careers.

Core Expertise

  • Creative Direction & Art Direction
  • Branding & Integrated Marketing Campaigns
  • Team Leadership & Mentorship (up to 15 direct reports)
  • Design Education & Curriculum Development
  • Product Development & Go-to-Market Strategy
  • Print Production & Prepress (Offset, Screen, Specialty)
  • Digital Design (Web, Email, UX Foundations, SEO)
  • Illustration & Visual Storytelling
  • Entrepreneurial Brand Building
  • Professional Experience

Professional Experience

Graphic Design Instructor

Western Technical College, La Crosse, WI, 2002 – Present

  • Lead, mentor, and art direct students as they develop real-world marketing and design solutions across a wide range of media.
  • Operate as both educator and creative director—guiding concept through execution while maintaining professional standards.
  • Developed and implemented curriculum across multiple disciplines, including Graphic Design, Marketing, Illustration, and Portfolio Development
  • Lead students through client-based projects, simulating real agency workflows and expectations
  • Prepare graduating students for entry into the workforce through portfolio development, critique, interviewing, and job search coaching
  • Presented to new faculty on student success, engagement, and learning strategies
  • Contributed to institutional initiatives as a core team member of Achieving the Dream, New Faculty Institute, AI Integration Workgroup, and on several hiring committees

Impact

  • Helped thousands of students build professional-level portfolios and successfully launch careers in design and marketing
  • Known for combining high expectations with practical, real-world creative direction

Author, Illustrator, & Co-Founder

Windhill Books | 2010 – Present

  • Co-built and currently manage an independent publishing and creative brand focused on children’s picture books and middle-grade fiction. Lead all aspects of creative, production, and marketing.
  • Write and illustrate original children’s books and chapter books (20 books and counting)
  • Two books were chosen by Barnes & Noble New York buyers for a nationwide in-store release at Barnes & Noble retail stores.
  • Oversee brand development, product design, and visual storytelling across titles
  • Execute multi-channel marketing strategies, including live events, retail partnerships, e-commerce, email campaigns, and digital advertising
  • Conduct author visits, school presentations, and public speaking engagements

Impact

  • Established a recognizable creative brand with direct-to-consumer and retail distribution channels
  • Successfully integrated storytelling, illustration, and marketing into a cohesive business model

Art Director

WinCraft, Inc., Winona, MN, 2001 – 2002

  • Directed a 14-person in-house creative team responsible for marketing, advertising, and product design across multiple brands and subsidiaries.
  • Led day-to-day creative operations, project planning, and team management
  • Oversaw development of product artwork and marketing materials across licensed and proprietary brands
  • Coordinated cross-functional efforts to ensure consistency and quality across all deliverables

Product Manager / Art Director

WinCraft, Inc., Winona, MN, 1995 – 1999

  • Held dual leadership role combining product strategy and creative direction for a wide portfolio of licensed and branded products.
  • Managed product lifecycle from concept through launch, including pricing, positioning, and profitability
  • Directed and mentored a 15-person team of designers, illustrators, and production artists
  • Commissioned and managed freelance talent for specialized creative work
  • Worked within strategic plans, budgets, and production schedules

Key Accounts
Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Peanuts, NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, and the 2002 Winter Olympics

Furniture Designer & Builder

Craig William Furniture, Winona, MN, 1999 – 2001

  • Designed, built, and marketed custom solid-wood furniture for residential and commercial clients.
  • Created approximately 150 original pieces
  • Developed and marketed a branded product line (The Elegant Country Collection)
  • Managed full business operations, including design, production, and sales

Adjunct Faculty – Graphic Design

Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI, 1992 – 1995

  • Designed and taught courses in Commercial Illustration and Graphic Design
  • Instructed Advertising Design and Portfolio Development
  • Led seminars introducing students to careers in the visual arts

Creative Practice & Portfolio

Behance Portfolio: (Behance.net/craigkunce)

A curated collection of work spanning:

  • Children’s book writing and illustration
  • Book cover design and visual storytelling
  • Branding and graphic design projects
  • Fine art (acrylic and watercolor)
  • Custom furniture design and craftsmanship

Public Speaking & Community Engagement

  • Presenter, Children’s Museum of La Crosse – Author talks and illustration workshops
  • Faculty Presenter – Interview preparation, publication design, and career readiness
  • Roundtable Leader – Graphic design trends and future directions
  • Educator for youth workshops, including multi-day book creation classes

Publications (Under Windhill Books)

Written and illustrated by me:

  • Ellie and Lex Mysteries: The Kidnapped Canine (With Lauren Kunce)
  • Ellie and Lex Mysteries: The Vanishing Video Games (With Alex Kunce)
  • Edrick the Inventor: Saturday is Cleaning Day
  • Edrick the Inventor: Spring is for Gardening
  • Trouble Finds Me
  • Over, Under, and Around the Square
  • Ellie Anders: The Impossible School Project
  • Ellie Anders: The Playground Fundraiser
  • My Perfect Friend
  • Very, Very Afraid
  • Letters and Words With Sadie
  • Numbers, Colors, and Shapes With Sadie
  • Letters and Words With Edrick
  • Numbers, Colors, and Shapes With Edrick
  • 2166

Illustrated by me (written by my wife, Jeanna Kunce):

  • Darien and the Lost Paints of Telinoria
  • Darien and the Seed of Obreget
  • Darien and the Moonlight Well
  • Hope’s Melody
  • Room 513

Education

Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN
Focus: Teaching, Learning, and Developing Creativity

Bachelor’s Degree – Art & Business
Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI

Associate Degree – Commercial Art
Alexandria Technical College, Alexandria, MN

Technical Skills

Design & Creative Tools
Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects

Web & Digital
WordPress, WooCommerce, SEO, Metrics, HTML, CSS, MailChimp. Gaining experience with 3D design and Augmented Reality for Marketing.

Social Media
Active on X, YouTube, and Pinterest—Primarily with my business marketing

Emerging Tools
AI-assisted research and image generation (ChatGPT, Gemini, Firefly, DALL·E)

Certifications

Wisconsin State Teaching Certification
Wisconsin Technical College System – Active License