Dion Pagonis
Selected Work
Visual systems, integrated campaigns, and cross-channel production — from product launch and content operations to seasonal brand, photography, and experiential storytelling.
Backpacking Light
A scalable content-production system designed to help Backpacking Light expand its Masterclass program without increasing leadership bottlenecks or compromising instructional quality.
Up to 233% more annual content · 30% faster production · 50% less leadership review
Vinotok
Six years of creative direction for Vinotok — brand design, custom typography, campaign systems, photography, print, merchandise, illustration, and social storytelling across a evolving seasonal identity.
20,000+ Lightroom assets · 5,100 organic social followers · 6 years of seasonal brand stewardship
Vail Resorts
For an MBA Business Law assignment, I translated a Vail Resorts risk assessment into a nine-minute employee-training concept — connecting operational risk, employee behavior, and the Experience of a Lifetime.
9-minute training module · 100% AI-generated visuals and original music
Buddy Backpacker
Spearheaded a multi-year national expedition that culminated in the youngest person to complete hiking's Triple Crown — route planning, field logistics, documentation, media relations, and public storytelling.
Youngest Triple Crown hiker · National media coverage · Children's book legacy
SNOWMIGO
Brought Snowmigo from concept to launch through identity, packaging, e-commerce, instructional content, and on-snow media — art-directed shoots with children and parents across physical and digital touchpoints.
Concept to launch · ~87% gross margin across product and retail
Crazy Cook
Managed the brand's website, e-commerce, Mailchimp, Buffer, and organic social ecosystem — email templates, campaign content, social assets, calendars, promotions, and booking touchpoints.
72% booking growth (2019–2023) · 576 total bookings
Career
Three decades of creative leadership, entrepreneurship, outdoor expertise, and hands-on brand building across industries and environments.
1996–Present
Three decades translating strategy into visual systems, campaigns, and brand experiences across outdoor, resort, and product brands.
Approach
I integrate cultural insight, business strategy, and disciplined design to uncover the central idea that should guide a brand. My style is bold, refined, and systems-oriented, pairing expressive visual storytelling with the strategic rigor needed to create clarity, consistency, and measurable impact across every guest touchpoint.
Endorsements
Leaders and collaborators who can speak firsthand to my character, leadership, creativity, and results.
Software
The tools that turn brand strategy into clear visual systems, compelling campaigns, collaborative workflows, and polished work across every touchpoint.
Adobe Creative Cloud 
Figma 
Miro 
Midjourney 
ChatGPT 
ElevenLabs 
WordPress 
Microsoft 365 
Canva 
Shopify 
Google Analytics 
Google Workspace 
Frame.io 
Notion 
Slack 
Mailchimp My Stack: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Character Animator, Adobe Audition, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Firefly, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Keynote, Apple Numbers, Apple Pages, Asana, Astro, Buffer, Canva, CapCut, ChatGPT, Cursor, Dropbox, ElevenLabs, Figma, Final Cut Pro, Frame.io, GitHub, Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Meet, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Trends, Google Workspace, Hootsuite, Mailchimp, Meta Ads Manager, Meta Business Suite, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Word, Midjourney, Miro, Notion, Procreate, Runway, Shopify, Slack, Squarespace, SurveyMonkey, Trello, Vimeo, Visual Studio Code, Webflow, Wix, WooCommerce, WordPress, Workfront, YouTube Studio, and Zoom.
Earned a BFA in Graphic Design with a minor in Studio Photography at Briarcliffe College. Built a strong foundation in typography, art direction, identity systems, visual storytelling, layout, digital design, photographic composition, and studio lighting.
2006–2009
Studied Legal Studies at SUNY Fredonia. Developed strengths in research, persuasive communication, critical analysis, structured reasoning, and organizational leadership. Served in student government and held multiple elected campus leadership positions.
2002–2006
Began designing at Kings Park High School. Completed advanced graphic design and publication coursework, applying those skills to editorial layouts, school campaigns, event materials, and visual communications.
1998–2002
About
I’m a designer, founder, MBA, Eagle Scout, and outdoor industry operator. I’ve built brands and businesses, worked as a ski and snowboard instructor, and helped my son become the youngest Triple Crown hiker at age nine.
10,124+ Miles
Hiked across the world
100+ Logos
Created without AI
30+ Years
Building and shaping brands
One Goal
Make meaningful brands impossible to ignore
A Claim to Fame
What began as a family adventure became nearly 8,000 miles across the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail. I walked beside Christian as his father, guide, teacher, and protector, while our family shaped an extraordinary life around the journey.
At nine years old, Christian became the youngest known person to complete hiking’s Triple Crown. The record is his. Helping him reach it while keeping the experience safe, joyful, and rooted in family is my claim to fame.
Contact
Open to senior creative roles, brand partnerships, and select freelance projects across outdoor, resort, and mountain-town brands.
