Tom is a 2019 graduate of South Dakota State University (SDSU) with a BFA in Graphic Design. As a student, his work has been featured at the National Student Showcase in Dallas, Texas, and was the recipient of the Anita Moore Scholarship in Art. After graduating, he was invited to participate in the International Integrated Design Camp (IIDC), in Seoul, South Korea, as one of 100 young engineers, architects, product designers, and graphic designers hosted by the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP).

His work has been recognized by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the Type Directors Club, and Communication Arts. Bates has also received recognition from the city of Sioux Falls by being listed on the inaugural Sioux Falls Business Journal 30 Under 30 list. Tom was one of six contestants for the Command X competition during the virtual 2020 National AIGA Conference. Bates is currently the vice president and cofounder of South Dakota Design People – formerly AIGA South Dakota. Bates was featured on the cover and headlining story in 605 Magazine in November of 2023.

Currently, he is a senior graphic designer for the advertising agency, Fresh Produce. Located in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Brand identity systems. Brand campaigns. Advertising campaigns. Capital campaigns. Trade show experiences. Publication design. Presentation design. Web design. Print and digital advertising. Social media content. Brand strategy. Motion graphics. Email campaigns. Packaging.

Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects. Basecamp. Google Drive, Google Slides. Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Teams, Copilot. Procreate. ChatGPT. Claude. Midjourney. Keynote. Procreate. Squarespace. Readymag. Adobe Premiere Pro, Lightroom. Figma. Figma Make. Canva. Meta Business Suite.

I have a few things I’m pumped about right now.

I’m still illustrating and selling birds on my shop, Only Bird Art. Trying to work with more conservation groups.

I’m in the middle of developing volume 1 of Sioux Falls typography. A zine dedicated to the city’s type out in the wild. Coming soon!

I’m continuing to work as Vice President of South Dakota Design People. We’re planning some fun things in the next two years.

Read ‘Mort” by Terry Pratchett. It’s a 1987 fantasy-comedy novel about Death and his apprentice Mortimer.

Please watch HBO’s ‘The Pitt’ and Hulu’s ‘The Bear.’ Two all-time great shows.

I’m trying to figure out cooking and gardening (plants not veggies).

I’m desent at cooking but terrible at gardening. I’ve managed to grow a spider plant into something admirable so far. I call him my baby boy.