Jack Portz
Brand Identity
Marketing Direction
Human Connection
Portz Creative Network Magazine
Portz! was a self-initiated creative publication designed to celebrate the people shaping Des Moines' creative community. From identifying and interviewing four local creatives to developing the publication's visual identity, art directing and photographing each feature, and designing the final zine, I led every stage of the project from concept to completion. To launch the publication, I organized and promoted a release event at NowNow Book Shop in Des Moines, transforming the project into a community experience with custom apparel, bookmarks, stickers, and other branded materials. This project reflects my passion for building meaningful creative experiences—combining branding, editorial design, photography, event planning, and storytelling into a single, cohesive vision.
- Creative Direction
-
Editorial Design
-
Photography & Art Direction
- Brand Development
- Event Production & Management
- Great Time
Logos and Identity
A strong brand begins long before it reaches the final logo. The identity design process starts with research, concept development, and hand-drawn sketches that explore the personality and goals of each brand. From there, concepts are refined into polished visual identities that are both strategic and timeless. Beyond the digital design, close collaboration with sign fabricators and production vendors ensures every detail translates seamlessly into the physical world—from storefront signage and dimensional lettering to vehicle graphics and environmental branding. By understanding both the creative and production sides of the process, identities are created that remain consistent, recognizable, and impactful across every touchpoint.
- Logo Design
- Brand Identity Systems
- Creative Concept Development
- Signage & Environmental Graphics
- Production-Ready Artwork
Iowa State University Recreation Center
At Iowa State University's Recreation Services, I collaborated with a multidisciplinary creative team to produce marketing campaigns that informed, inspired, and engaged thousands of students across campus. My role included designing social media graphics, motion graphics, posters, digital signage, and environmental marketing materials that promoted programs, events, and campus initiatives. Working alongside fellow designers and a photographer, I helped transform ideas into impactful visual experiences that extended far beyond the screen. One of my proudest accomplishments was leading the creative execution of the annual RECSPYS awards, where our team developed the event branding, designed promotional materials, created custom window graphics, coordinated professional headshots, and transformed the venue into an immersive, themed celebration that became one of the Recreation Center's most successful events.
- Marketing Campaign Design
- Motion Graphics & Animation
- Environmental Graphic Design
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Event Branding & Experience Design