My Experience
Goal
To create visually compelling images that communicate and transcend the written word by imprinting an image on the mind of the viewer.
Qualifications
Professional: Proficient in Adobe CS 2/3 Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Sharepoint Designer 2007, Dreamweaver on Mac/PC platforms. Knowledge in Flash, HTML, CSS, Joomla. Able to design comprehensive solutions for posters, fliers, corporate information campaigns (benefit packages, new hire packets), folders, direct marketing and collateral, brochures, brand identity, magazines, newsletters, print and online advertising, websites and email marketing, CD/DVD cover design, event invitations/programs/signage, vector illustration, PowerPoint templates and presentations, Word templates.
Personal: Strong desire to create, ability to combine practical concepts with artistic sense to turn abstract ideas into formal designs, have a natural eye for color and detail, a sense of balance and layout, expressively communicative. Excellent time management skills with the self-discipline to complete independent projects, budget time, and meet deadlines and production schedules in high production environments. Self-motivated, driven and able to work in a fast-paced environment. Enjoy team collaboration. Enthusiastic with a professional, customer-focused attitude. An innovative problem solver, with strong troubleshooting skills and a quick grasp of new tools/projects via hands-on self teaching. Maintain an adaptable, analytical, multi-dimensional perspective and attitude.
Education
University of Northern Colorado; graduated May 2005
Bachelor of Arts, Visual Arts; Graphic Design
Bachelor of Arts, English
Minors: History, Philosophy, Cultural Studies
Experience
Graphic Designer 2008 - present
Bonfils Blood Center, Denver, CO
- Design marketing materials while maintaining the integrity of the brand
- Concept and develop campaign strategy to increase messaging awareness and blood drive participation
- Consider cognitive, cultural, physical and social factors when planning and executing designs
- Faciliate image exploration through stock photography, original photoshoots and vector illustration
- Explore various papers, inks, diecuts and treatments to bring innovation to the design standards
- Lead designer for the intranet
- Researched current hospital market trends to establish look and feel
- Established design standards for icons, image treatment, ads and overal graphic application
- Design and maintain online advertising
- Develop and maintain relationships with clients, account executives and vendors
- Organize and run strategic meetings to determine needs, deadlines and budget
- Management of entire process of print production: design, prepress, proofing, presschecks.
Contract Graphic Artist 2004 - present
Denver, CO
- Discuss and determine needs of clients while maintaining an open communication line
- Organize, manage, coordinate and meet project deadlines
- Developed corporate identity including logos, color, font, and graphic treatment of visual elements and created style guide
- Design websites, direct mailers, brochures, press kits, posters, email campaigns, CD/DVD covers and marketing materials
- Researched, conceptualized, and created promotional pieces that have increased event attendance by 75%
- Grew business in a start up environment by word of mouth referrals only
- Design and maintain social media sites (Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc.)
Communication Graphics Specialist 2006 - 2008
Nelnet, Aurora, CO
- Senior graphic designer responsible for all corporate branded design projects targeted to a 3,500 geographically diverse associate base (including executives/upper management, sales, marketing and general employee base)
- Designed strategic layout and flow of various company publications and campaigns utilizing various media
- Formulate evolving visuals in communications to increase interest and comprehension of key messages
- Designed a wellness marketing plan that increased understanding of key wellness messages close to 100%
- Increased participation in targeted programs (ESPP, 401(k), Wellness, Junior Achievement)
- Managed accounts and maintain strong working relationship with clients, account executives and outside vendors
- Concept and design development according to client needs, goals and function of design piece
- Prepress preparations of files
- Supportive web administrator of MS SharePoint 2007 (internal Portal)
- Maintain, troubleshoot, content manage and provide tutorials for portal
- Test beta programs and develop technological efficiencies via workflows, targeted web parts, lists and other applications
- Significant role on small team that developed and maintained world class and nationally recognized internal Portal
Communications Generalist 2005-2006
Nelnet, Aurora, CO
- Associate editor and designer of company-wide announcements and inter-departmental communications
- Explored the brand to develop fresh and inviting look to design pieces
- Copy edited for appropriate language, tone and grammar
- Conceived and designed consistent look for all meeting materials
- Redesigned visual aspects of existing intranet for new company portal that increased view traffic by 25%
- Augmented online newsletter to provide associates with a user-friendly, engaging and informative product
- Developed and laid out 16 page, 2/2 print magazine and redesigned entire corporate material library to reflect the company’s messaging and branding standards
- Traveled with CEO’s to off-site executive and all company meetings to provide on-site graphic support
Click here for a .pdf of my resume.
