Thomas Hewitt Gilmore

With over 30 years of experience as a practicing design and marketing professional and more than 15 years as an adjunct educator, I have dedicated my career to exploring the intersection of creativity, branding, and strategic communication. My professional journey has been enriched through roles at Miami University, and the University of Louisville, as well as the University of Cincinnati, where I have developed and taught courses that bridge theory with real-world application. Holding a BFA in Graphic Design from Bowling Green State University and an MDes from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), I have consistently sought opportunities to advance the role of creativity within academia and industry.

My academic contributions include chairing the university-wide Faculty Innovation Council at UC, coordinating faculty-driven innovation initiatives, and co-instructing multidisciplinary undergraduate courses within the University Honors Program. Currently, I am teaching DMC2150: Design for Film and DMC3101: Media and Business of Creativity, both with the School of Communication, Film, and Media Studies (FMS), Digital Media Collaborative (DMC). At University of Louisville, I restructured the advanced packaging design curriculum to emphasize consumer needs, strategic branding, and marketplace competition. At Miami University, I have instructed courses such as Introduction to Design, Image Making, Business of Design, and Senior Thesis, while also organizing interdisciplinary panel discussions to connect students with practicing professionals in design, marketing, and business. These experiences have reinforced my commitment to enhancing higher education by integrating branding and design strategies into interdisciplinary curricula. In addition to teaching, I also serve as the Director of Internships for DMC and FMS.

Beyond academia, I have actively contributed to initiatives that elevate diverse communities through design and advocacy. 

My rebranding work for Colorado Parents for Quality Education supported an African American grassroots initiative that empowers parents to advocate for their children’s educational rights. Additionally, I created a pro bono social media campaign for 7 Hillz Productions Foundation, supporting a scholarship initiative for film and media students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). I have served as a judge for the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference and contributed to Kiwanis International’s mission of improving children's lives. Furthermore, I acted as the event emcee for the 1N5 fundraising event, which aims to prevent suicide by erasing the stigma of mental illness and promoting optimal mental wellness. 

In addition to these experiences, I bring over 30 years of professional practice, including leadership roles at Interbrand, Scoppechio Advertising, PepsiCo Frito-Lay and Procter & Gamble. I currently lead Gilmore Branding & Design, a consultancy I founded in 2008, which focuses on brand development, marketing strategy, and creative direction. 

Making an emotive connection with people—by leveraging strategy and design—is at the heart of my work.

This dual perspective—as both practitioner and educator—enables me to provide students with a robust and contemporary understanding of the design industry. I believe strongly in empowering visual learners by contextualizing business theory through practical application, industry case studies, and portfolio-driven projects. My teaching philosophy is grounded in relevance, accessibility, and mentorship—helping students cultivate both strategic thinking and professional confidence. 

MDes: University of Cincinnati 2012 (Design)

BFA: Bowling Green 1992 (Graphic Design)

Academic Research interests include:
• Online Education
• Critical Thinking
• Effective Communication
• Career Education
• Business of Creativity
• Film Aesthetic and Associated Design

Professional Practice interests include:
• Marketing Strategy
• Social Media Marketing
• Advertising
• Digital Marketing
• User Experience Design (UED)
• Artificial Intelligence Content Generation
• Corporate Communications
• Competitive Audit
• Workshop Development
• Consumer Research
• Brand Strategy and Positioning
• Brand Character and Architecture
• Brand Identity and Guidelines
• Creative Concepting
• Photography Direction
• Package Design
• Design Implementation
• Supply Chain Management
• Presentation Design


 

1995 -2000 Graphic Designer, Interbrand,

2000 -2003 Team Leader, Interbrand,

2003 -2005 Brand Identity Manager, Interbrand,

2005 -2008 Senior Brand Identity Manager, Interbrand,

2008 -2009 Director of Integrated Brand Strategy, RGI Design, Inc.,

2008 -2020 Adjunct Instructor, Miami University,

2010 -2012 Graduate Student and Instructor, University of Cincinnati,

2011 -2011 Manager, Design Research and Marketing Innovation, PepsiCo Frito Lay,

2013 -2014 Director, Design Strategy and Innovation, Scoppechio Advertising,

2014 -2018 Director, Business Communications and Specialty Services, Scoppechio Advertising,

2014 -2020 Adjunct Instructor, University of Louisville,

2020 -2024 Adjunct Instructor, University of Cincinnati,

2021 -2022 Olay Digital Design Manager, Procter & Gamble,

2008 - Creative Consultant, Gilmore Branding and Design, LLC,

2025 - Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati,

Lecture

Thomas Gilmore (02-2025. ) Understanding the Landscape of Artificial Intelligence .Procter & Gamble.

Thomas Gilmore (05-2025. ) Intersession Experiential Learning Branding Workshop .University of Cincinnati.

Thomas Gilmore (01-2025. ) Marketing and Brand Strategy for Creatives .University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Thomas Gilmore (04-2019. ) Creative, Design & Marketing Panel, Facilitator and Host .Miami University.

Thomas Gilmore (03-2018. ) Leveraging Design to Enhance Brand Experience .University of Kentucky.

Thomas Gilmore (03-2018. ) Leveraging Design to Enhance Brand Experience .University of Louisville.

Thomas Gilmore (11-2015. ) Branding and Innovation .University of Oregon.

Thomas Gilmore (03-2015. ) Working with Creatives .American Advertising Federation.

Thomas Gilmore (10-2014. ) Advertising and Branding .Morehead State University.

Thomas Gilmore (11-2013. ) Innovation Tools .University of Cincinnati.

Thomas Gilmore (11-2013. ) Leveraging Design: Enhancing the Branded Experience In-Store .Chef's Best.

Thomas Gilmore (01-2012. ) Branding and Packaging .University of Cincinnati.

Thomas Gilmore (01-2011. ) Branding and Design .University of Cincinnati.

Thomas Gilmore (04-2009. ) Graphic Design, Packaging and Brand .Bowling Green State University.

Thomas Gilmore (2012. ) design+branding: an intersection of art and business .University of Toledo.

Thomas Gilmore (2012. ) design+branding: an intersection of art and business .University of Cincinnati.

Thomas Gilmore (09-2025. ) Understanding the Landscape of Artificial Intelligence .University of Cincinnati. UC.

2025 American Graphic Design Awards Winner: My pro bono work on the Mariemont Town Crier newsletter was selected as 2025 American Graphic Design Awards Winner. The 62nd GDUSA annual showcase reflects graphic design’s power to shape and service to commerce and culture. The pieces showcased—and their creators—are among the best and brightest.  GDUSA Status:Recipient Level:International

2025 LogoLounge Book 15 Winner: From more than 30,000 submissions worldwide, only the best examples of global design excellence are chosen for inclusion in the iconic LogoLounge Book Series. The brand marks I created for the Mariemont Ohio Swim Team (MOST) and the Mariemont Town Crier newsletter have been recognized among the LogoLounge Book 15 winners!  LogoLounge Status:Recipient

2024 American Graphic Design Awards Winner: I'm excited to announce that recent work on two initiatives has been selected as 2024 American Graphic Design Awards Winners in the Designing For Good category. Both brand design work completed for Mariemont Ohio Swim Team (MOST) and pro bono social media campaign creative for a Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) scholarship initiative for 7 Hillz Productions Foundation was recognized. The Designing For Good category, encompasses graphic communications that advance positive social and environmental action and social justice impact; promote diversity, equity and inclusion; and aim to make communities and the world a better place for people and nature. GDUSA Status:Recipient

2023 American Graphic Design Awards Winner: My pro bono work with Colorado Parents for Quality Education and Mariemont City Schools 2023 FAB Affair has been selected as 2023 American Graphic Design Awards Winners in the Designing For Good category. The 60th GDUSA anniversary showcase reflects graphic design’s shape and service to commerce and culture. The Designing For Good category, encompasses graphic communications that advance positive social and environmental action and social justice impact; promote diversity, equity and inclusion; and aim to make communities and the world a better place for people and nature. GDUSA Status:Recipient

2016 American Package Design Awards Winner: GE Appliance Parts Packaging Redesign Wins in Research, Retail and Industry My work on the redesign of GE Appliance Parts Packaging was recognized by Graphic Design USA with a 2016 American Package Design Award—within the Home, Garden and Industrial category. The annual GDUSA competition celebrates well-designed graphics and the power of package design to create emotional links with the shoppers at the moment-of-truth. The redesign—of over 80 products—focused on creating an overall brand block of packaging at shelf and enhancing shop-ability with an entirely new information and iconography system. The project was taken in front of consumers on two occasions—a week long Internet community with both consumer and contractors providing feedback on early concepts, as well as a series of focus groups to better understand package communication and brand value. GDUSA Status:Recipient

2009 LogoLounge Book 5 Winner: In addition to being included in LogoLounge Book 5, the monogram of my initials was also included in LogoLounge Master Library Volume 1. LogoLounge Status:Recipient

UC DMC3101: Business of Creativity

Description and Key Learning Outcomes

UC DMC2150: Design Skills for Film and Media

Description and Key Learning Outcomes

UC PD2030: Honors Inquiry to Innovation

UC Innovation Council and CET&L Faculty Innovation Workgroup

UC DMC4080: DMC Internship Program

UC FILM2095: Internship Program

University of Louisville ART575: Packaging Design

Miami University ART452: Senior Thesis

Miami University ART353: Business of Design

Miami University ART252: Image Making

Miami University ART151: Introduction to Design

Linkedin Profile

Gilmore Branding and Design, LLC

gilmorth@ucmail.uc.edu