About

Tolen J. Avery

A Senior Graphic Designer and Digital Marketing Leader with over 9 years of experience crafting high-impact visual solutions across print, digital, and integrated marketing platforms. His work sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and execution—helping brands communicate clearly, connect authentically, and stand out with intention.

Throughout his career, Tolen has partnered with leadership teams, ministries, agencies, and nationally recognized brands to elevate brand identity and drive engagement. From leading creative for large-scale campaigns and worship experiences to developing polished packaging, motion graphics, and digital marketing assets, he brings both creative vision and operational discipline to every project.

Currently serving as Senior Graphic Designer at The Church Without Walls & Carnival Cruise Line. Tolen leads creative execution for ministry branding, campaigns, and events—collaborating closely with pastoral leadership to deliver cohesive, mission-driven design while maintaining brand integrity. Crafting digital and print graphics that support marketing initiatives, onboard experiences, promotions, and guest engagement while ensuring consistency with Carnival’s vibrant brand identity. His background also includes senior agency roles, contract work with Canva, and freelance collaborations with brands such as Nike, Pepsi, Sam’s Club & Forever 21. 

With a foundation in digital marketing and SEO/SEM strategy from his time at ActionCoach Houston, Tolen approaches design with a results-focused mindset—ensuring every visual serves a purpose beyond aesthetics.

He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Liberty University, where he also competed as a collegiate football athlete on scholarship, playing defensive end and defensive tackle—an experience that shaped his discipline, leadership, and team-first mentality.

Tolen is driven by clarity, excellence, and collaboration, and believes great design should not only look good—but move people, support vision, and create impact.

Experience:

Freelance Graphic Designer:

Full-Time | 2025 - Present | Houston, Texas |

  • Partnered with clients to translate business objectives and brand vision into compelling visual solutions across print, digital, and multimedia platforms for Carnival Cruise Lines, Bemer Plus and The Church Without Walls.
  • Led end-to-end creative projects from concept development through final delivery, ensuring quality, consistency, and on-time execution.
  • Designed brand identities, logos, marketing collateral, social media assets, web graphics, and campaign visuals aligned with client goals.
  • Developed integrated creative for digital campaigns including websites, email marketing, social media, and paid advertising.

    Senior Graphic Designer:

    Empire Creative | Full-Time | 2024 -2025 |  League City, Texas |

    • Conceptualized and designed creative visual assets, including logos, brochures, social media graphics, and marketing materials, aligning with brand identity and project objectives.
    • Collaborated with marketing and development teams to produce visually compelling campaigns that enhanced user engagement and brand visibility.
    • Utilized advanced design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) to develop designs for print, web, and digital platforms.
    • Managed multiple projects simultaneously, adhering to strict deadlines while maintaining high-quality design standards.

    Senior Graphic Designer:

    Canva | Contract | 2023 - 2024 | Remote |

    • Lead the design and execution of visual assets across digital, print, social, packaging, and marketing campaigns.
    • Develop illustrations, logos and other designs using software or by hand.
    • Create high-quality assets including ads, presentations, social graphics, packaging, and web visuals.
    • Stay current on design trends, tools, and best practices.
    • Ensure designs are on-brand, on-message, and delivered on time.

    Freelance Designer

    Freelance Designer | Full-time | 2020 - 2023 | Remote, Dallas Texas |


    • Create visuals that align with brand identity/marketing goals with NIKE, Pepsi, Frito Lay, Forever 21 & Sam's Club.
    • Develop layouts, graphics, and visual systems for digital use.
    • Strong communication and collaboration skills.
    • Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
    • Maintain consistency with brand guidelines and design systems.
    • Experience working within brand guidelines while pushing creative boundaries.

    Digital Marketing Specialist:

    ActionCoach Houston | Full-time | 2019 - 2020 | Hybrid, Bellaire, Texas |

    • Successfully managed end-to-end design projects, meeting and exceeding deadlines consistently.
    • Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product development, and sales, to ensure cohesive design integration.
    • Upheld visual identity standards to ensure brand consistency across all platforms and materials.
    • Optimize designs for performance, accessibility, and usability.
    • Maintain consistency with brand guidelines and design systems.
    • Create wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity web designs.

    Digital Designer:

    Frito-Lay | Full-time | 2017 - 2020 | Remote, Dallas, Texas |

    • Collaborated across web design, digital platforms, print, retail, and social media to develop design-centric solutions.
    • Collaborated with content and marketing teams to confirm design compliance with brand guidelines.
    • Created artwork for product packaging and promotional materials.
    • Test and refine designs based on user feedback and analytics.
    • Design digital assets for web, social media, email, and paid campaigns.