I’m CHAD HAGEN,
A FREELANCE DESIGNER that builds brands and tells better stories.

I’m a Minneapolis-based designer and art director with nearly three decades of experience helping brands express themselves with clarity and distinction. I’ve led national campaigns for Target, developed private-label packaging and retail systems, and built out visual identities across print, digital, and environmental touchpoints. While I occasionally bring illustration into the mix, my focus is on shaping brand experiences through smart, crafted design that connects ideas to execution.

Lifelong Minnesotan. Outdoor cyclist when the temp allows.
Currently: in deep on a sourdough kick.

Art Direction

Concept-led and execution-minded. As an art director, I shape ideas into cohesive creative platforms—building campaigns that connect and systems that scale. From brand refreshes to social storytelling, I work across mediums and disciplines to bring clarity and intention to every layer. Strategic where it counts, meticulous when it matters—always focused on making the work meaningful and well made

It all starts with a clear idea—something strong enough to stretch across formats without breaking. I blend strategic insight with a designer’s instinct to create identities that work hard and communicate clearly, from bold expressions to the smallest brand details. Every element—logo, type, color, language—earns its place and pulls its weight, building consistency without losing character.

Brand Design

I design packaging with purpose—and a little bit of obsession. Each piece is built around a strong idea and shaped to thrive in the real world. I think about how it stacks, ships, and stands out under bad lighting. Structure, materials, and messaging all work together to tell a story and hold up under pressure. The goal: make it feel right, function smart, and earn its place.

Package Design

PORTFOLIO

CAPABILITIES

Brand Identity & Visual Systems

Brand identities built to scale—rooted in concept, shaped through cohesive design systems. Projects include full identity development, brand refreshes, and visual standards spanning logo, color, and typography.

Concept & Art Direction

From seasonal pushes to product launches, campaigns are crafted to communicate clearly across digital, print, broadcast, and social. Work includes advertising, brand storytelling, and integrated creative platforms.

Packaging & Retail Design

Bringing structure and soul to shelf. Packaging and retail design projects span CPG, household goods, fashion, and lifestyle—balancing form, function, and story with system thinking.

Illustration & Visual Content

Concept-driven illustration that adds voice, clarity, or wit. Work includes editorial features, book covers, branded content, and illustration systems built into broader visual identities.s.

Creative Strategy & Collaboration

Creative built in close partnership—translating business needs into brand clarity. Often brought in early to help develop narratives, shape briefs, or align with broader marketing goals.

Visual Strategy &
Brand Exploration

Pushing the edges of a brand to uncover fresh opportunities—using moodboards, trend mapping, and rapid concepting to merge strategy with experimentation, building a creative foundation that’s as strong as the final execution.

Brands I’ve Championed