United States

Graphic Design

UX Design

UI/ Visual Design

Branding and Identity Design

Content Design

Product Design

UX Research

Content Strategy

Rex Chekal

Principal Product Designer

read.cv

Typography

Product strategy

Prototyping

Qualitative research

Communication

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Critical-thinking

Empathy

Presentation skills

Stakeholder management

Brand strategy

Branding

Content strategy

User research

WordPress

Zeplin

ChatGPT

Figma

Miro

Adobe Creative Suite

Sketch

I offer digital strategy and design solutions for small businesses.

I strive to create sites that are fairly priced with solid content strategies. I bring over a decade of design and editorial experience from some of the best designed papers in the country. That unique experience and level of critical thinking differentiates my services from other design agencies and contractors out there; perfect for anyone developing a content strategy.

As Director of Digital Strategy at Table XI, I serve as a key integrator between design, UX and business strategy teams. I strive to be a senior thought leader, aligning digital strategy and audience development with client’s business goals and objectives. I play a key role in client engagements, serving as a digital strategy advisor to both Client Principals (internal) and clients (external), helping to define a digital vision and determine metrics for success. 

Internally, I partner closely with the Design Director to provide support, coaching and mentoring to design team. In addition to creating visual design elements such as style tiles, hi-fidelity mockups and wireframes as necessary, I assist in setting design strategy to ensure the finished product meets business goals and usability best practices. I also partner  with the Director of New Business & Strategy to produce and distribute content aimed at growing the Table XI brand and sales leads.

Charged with creating a cohesive voice and design throughout all digital products from suntimes.com to the newest portal, politics.suntimes.com. Brands/Divisions I provide assistance/vision for include Early & Often, Reader, Splash, the former Grid and the new STM Custom Studios group in charge of our native/custom solutions.

When needed, I assist on the marketing of core brands and that editorial and marketing voices are in alignment. I have also assisted on advertising pitches for sponsorships, the most recent being the Early & Often site launch.

In charge of design for all Grid properties, including: the magazine, daily page in the Chicago Sun-Times, chicagogrid.com redesign, custom publishing associated with Grid and some advertising. Also, acting photo editor and in charge of directing photo shoots and hiring/managing freelancers.

In charge of editing design and curating content for the newly launched daily iPad edition of the RedEye.

Design feature and daily news pages.  Illustrate, come up with art options.

Responsible for daily feature pages, illustrations (when needed), Get Out tab covers

Responsible for daily graphics and illustrations for feature pages when needed.

Rex Chekal🇺🇸