Jamie Aponas is exceptionally organized, detail-oriented, and consistently delivers on time. She flawlessly managed a complex rebranding of our entire portfolio, ensuring a seamless transition and outstanding results....I highly recommend her to anyone seeking a skilled and reliable design professional.
Agustina Kim
Brand Manager, Product Innovation @ SmartyPants Vitamins
Role
Senior Art Director, Packaging (Contract)
Client
SmartyPants Vitamins is a premium supplement brand offering all-in-one, high-quality vitamins made with carefully sourced ingredients to support overall health and wellness for people of all ages.
Goal
Led the complete rollout of new packaging design across 100+ products and directed all new product innovation for a vitamin company committed to quality ingredients and sustainable packaging.
Team
Redesign Concept
Interact Brands
Challenge
SmartyPants had invested in a fresh design concept from an outside studio, but they needed someone dedicated to bringing it to life. They didn’t just need a designer to execute. They needed someone who could manage a massive rollout while also making the system flex and bend for real-world applications. The challenge was knowing when to honor the existing guidelines and when to create new rules and standards that would support future innovation across a sprawling product portfolio.
Process
I embedded myself with the team, key stakeholders within the brand team. Together, we ensured that all new product innovation honored the brand guidelines while knowing when and how to break the rules with purpose.
For the packaging extension, I oversaw the entire production pipeline: ensuring design consistency, managing top-quality print standards, and maintaining color accuracy through on-press reviews. I was flown to New Jersey and Los Angeles for press checks and in-person color reviews, making sure every bottle met our standards before it hit shelves.
I also led brand-level color changes and managed contractors who delivered digital assets and on-pack renders. Throughout the process, I created systems and standards that would outlive my contract, including how-to videos and documentation for any designer who would take over.
Increased retailer shelf placement
+144% at Walmart
+28% at Target
100+ packages
redesigned and delivered on time, within budget
12 new FOP graphic assets
expanding messaging versatility and efficacy
Results
I led packaging design implementation across the complete product portfolio, resulting in enhanced shelf presence and significantly expanded distribution. Beyond the numbers, I art directed brand-level design systems and conceptual exploration for new product innovations, supporting significant growth across key product segments. This included creating a new FOP layout for high-volume packaging, new gummy render options, and a more mature packaging approach for a completely new format. The high-impact sell-in materials I developed helped secure these retail wins, while streamlined design workflows measurably improved project efficiency and brand consistency.
I worked with SmartyPants for two years and we still collaborate on projects.
Jamie has been fantastic for the SmartyPants team. She is dedicated, thoughtful, consistently responsive - always showing up with a collaborative spirit. Jamie seamlessly integrates as an extension of our team, which might be the highest compliment you can give an agency partner.
Jeff Wong
Chief Revenue Officer, SmartyPants Vitamins