Cara Clinton – Art Director, ALOHA Collection
Professional Overview
Cara Clinton currently serves as Art Director at ALOHA Collection, a lifestyle brand headquartered in Encinitas, California. According to multiple verified sources, her tenure at ALOHA Collection began in 2023 and continues to the present. In some sources, she is referenced as Senior Digital Art Director, suggesting a focus on digital creative leadership within the brand’s visual and marketing initiatives.
Cara is recognized for her extensive background in art direction, graphic design, and illustration, with a specialization in creating visually impactful and brand-centric content for established lifestyle and fashion companies.
Current Role at ALOHA Collection
- Title: Art Director (referenced as Senior Digital Art Director in some company directories)
- Responsibilities: Leads the creative direction for ALOHA Collection, overseeing digital and print design assets, and ensuring the brand’s visual identity aligns with market trends and strategic objectives.
- Department/Team: Creative (Collaborates with Creative Operations Manager, Senior Content Manager, Lead Designer, and other key creative and marketing roles)
- Location: Encinitas, CA (ALOHA Collection HQ)
- Direct Contact: [caraclintondesign@gmail.com](mailto:caraclintondesign@gmail.com)
Professional Experience & Career Progression
Cara Clinton brings over a decade of professional design and art direction experience, having worked with high-profile brands across beauty, fashion, and lifestyle segments. Her career demonstrates consistent advancement into leadership and senior creative roles:
- BEYOND YOGA (2023): Freelance Senior Graphic Designer
- MILLY (2022–2023): Senior Graphic Designer / Junior Art Director
- BCBG (2020–2022): Junior Art Director
- Anthropologie (2018–2020): Digital Designer
- Tata Harper Skincare (2016–2018): Lead Digital Designer
- Freelance & Agency Projects: Various roles, including designing marketing and sales collateral for clients in professional services
Her portfolio includes work spanning branding, email design, web design, catalog development, and digital campaign direction for both retail and direct-to-consumer environments.
Educational Background
- Maryland Institute College of Art
- Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
- Years Attended: 2010–2014
Core Competencies and Professional Skills
- Art Direction
- Branding & Visual Identity
- Digital Campaign Design
- Illustration
- Email & Web Design
- Multi-Channel Marketing Collateral
- Team Leadership & Creative Collaboration
In addition to technical expertise, Cara is noted for her collaborative engagement with marketing teams, content managers, and executive leadership to develop and refine creative concepts that support both brand growth and sales objectives.
Notable Achievements & Industry Recognition
Cara’s design work has received positive feedback from both clients and colleagues, specifically for professionalism, creativity, and effectiveness in campaign delivery. Projects highlighted in her portfolio—such as campaigns for Anthropologie, BCBG, and MILLY—underline her experience with high-visibility brand launches and e-commerce strategies.
Professional Interests & Approach
Cara exhibits a passion for art direction, team-driven design processes, and creating meaningful visual experiences that drive brand engagement. She has demonstrated interest in:
- Supporting marketing, e-commerce, and supply chain teams through design leadership
- Leveraging illustration and playful design to enhance campaign performance
- Pursuing innovative, trend-forward creative solutions to enhance brand equity
Organizational Context: ALOHA Collection
ALOHA Collection operates with a team-oriented structure, with leadership roles in brand, marketing, supply chain, creative, and sales all working in tandem from the Encinitas headquarters. Cara is one of several key creative leaders, working alongside:
- Annalisa Barr (Creative Operations Manager)
- Brooke Biundo (Lead Designer)
- Peter Osuna (Senior Art Director)
- Shawna Williams (Senior Brand Director)
Her current position places her at the intersection of creative direction and brand strategy, making her an influential contact for opportunities involving marketing partnerships, brand enhancement, and creative innovation.
Contact & Online Presence
- LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/caramclinton](http://www.linkedin.com/in/caramclinton)
- Portfolio Website: [cara-clinton.com](https://www.cara-clinton.com/)
- Primary Email: caraclintondesign@gmail.com
Cara Clinton’s extensive creative leadership background and her current strategic role at ALOHA Collection position her as a key decision-maker and collaborator for initiatives involving brand development, creative partnerships, and digital marketing campaigns. Her career trajectory highlights a proven ability to elevate brand presence in competitive lifestyle markets through integrated design and art direction.