Aaron Winters

Currently
I began working as in-house Graphic Designer​​​​​​​ at the California Housing Finance Agency in November 2022. This role is a departure from my web-dominant role in my previous job, instead leveraging the gamut of generalist skills I've developed since 1995. Even in the short time there, I have produced multiple infographic-heavy publications, web animation, signage, and illustration.
My main creative outlet is publishing Songs Illuminated skateboard magazine since summer of 2020. Now in its fifth issue, the effort brings together photographers and illustrators from in and around Northern California to represent skate culture and heritage in the Sacramento region.
Professional Assignments
My independent design consultancy continues on in a limited form. This work reflects my interest in experience-driven brand development projects, including experiential graphics, augmented, and built environments. A brief collection of past client and personal work is available on Behance.
​​​​​​Inquire for case studies in the fields of: Design Consultation & Web Design, Brand Analysis & Discovery, Social Media Planning & Digital Content Strategy.
Previously
In April 2018, I became the sole User Experience Designer inside the Information Resources & Technology division at California State University, Sacramento.  In this full-time, in-house role, I often supported the development, adoption, and maintenance of an accessible user experience across the University’s core web property. Central to the school’s Accessible Technology Initiative, I administered accessibility monitoring, reporting, and training for campus content editors. I most notably led the design and custom implementation of a sub-site that supported the University Advancement fundraising campaign in 2020-21.​​​​​​​
While pursuing my MFA at Vermont School of Fine Arts from 2012–’14, I worked as a Digital Marketing Consultant & Trainer at the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center and taught graphic design in the Los Rios Community College District. I taught at the Art Institute of California, Sacramento in 2015–’16.
In what feels like a previous life by now, I was the in-house Art Director for the California Landscape Contractors Association for ten years. During that time I also took on graphic design projects under the Abide Visuals and Aaron Winters Creative Professional names. 
I produced award-winning package designs for the Weird Forest, Suicide Squeeze, Narnack, 5RC, and Clairecords record labels for artists such as Noveller, Lil B, Grouper, Emeralds, Hella and dozens more. I also handled freelance art direction duties for a variety of print magazines, from the local Fork It, Legend, and Midtown Monthly titles to the Canadian COLOR skateboarding magazine.
Also during that time, I was active showing in, organizing, and curating group art shows locally and across the West Coast from 2003–’07. I self-published two issues of the Exit Strategy art annual and managed The Ultramega artists collective.