Li Qiu
About Li Qiu
Li Qiu is an experienced Art Director currently working at Balsam Brands, where he leads creative strategy and manages a team of designers. He has a diverse background in graphic design, marketing, and entrepreneurship, having previously held positions at Shutterfly, Williams-Sonoma, and Target.
Current Role at Balsam Brands
Li Qiu serves as the Art Director at Balsam Brands since 2021. In this role, Qiu leads the creative strategy for the company's US seasonal campaigns and oversees photo art direction. Qiu manages a team of designers located in both the US and the Philippines, ensuring effective collaboration and project execution. Additionally, Qiu has implemented critical design process improvements in partnership with program management, enhancing the overall efficiency of the design workflow.
Previous Experience at Shutterfly, Inc.
Prior to joining Balsam Brands, Li Qiu worked at Shutterfly, Inc. as a Senior Graphic Designer from 2015 to 2019. During this four-year tenure in Redwood City, Qiu contributed to various design projects. Qiu also held the position of Art Director at Shutterfly for a period of 10 months in 2019, further expanding expertise in visual design and creative direction.
Background in Design and Education
Li Qiu studied at UCLA, where Qiu earned a BA in Sociology from 2002 to 2006. Following this, Qiu pursued an extension degree in Design Communication at UCLA from 2007 to 2009, focusing on translating creative talents into digital formats. This educational background supports Qiu's extensive experience in art direction and visual design.
Experience in the Retail Industry
Li Qiu has a solid background in the retail industry, having worked for notable brands such as Williams-Sonoma, Inc. as a Production Coordinator from 2010 to 2013. Qiu also held the position of Executive Team Leader at Target for one year in 2006-2007. These roles provided Qiu with insights into marketing design and brand strategy.
Entrepreneurial Venture with TinyToast
Li Qiu co-founded a children's decor brand called TinyToast, where Qiu was responsible for design, marketing, manufacturing, and advertising. This entrepreneurial experience allowed Qiu to gain valuable skills in guerrilla marketing and brand building, contributing to a well-rounded professional profile.