Talent

I have experience designing a wide range of print collateral including packaging, brochures, business papers, point of sale promotions, environmental graphics, and product catalogs; and experience designing presentations using PowerPoint and Prezi

I can manage a design project from start to finish; from concept through design and pre-press to the final press check

I’m comfortable working solo, but also love collaborating with a larger team and providing art direction to photographers, illustrators, and other designers

I’m able to balance creative vision with technical expertise and project restrictions (deadlines and budgets), producing consistently high-quality work that meets clients’ objectives

I have a keen attention to detail through a highly critical eye—to both my own work and the work of others

I am optimistic and retain my sense of humor when under pressure

Education

Undergraduate
BFA, Graphic Design   Savannah College of Art and Design      Savannah, GA      1989-1993

Continuing Arts Education
School of Visual Concepts: Intro to Letterpress, Ditching Freehand for Illustrator
Gage Academy of Art: Life Drawing, Encaustic Painting
Pratt Fine Arts Center: Jewelry Metalsmithing, Encaustic Painting
UW Experimental College: Monotype Printmaking, Book Binding as Art
Sev Shoon Arts Center: Printmaking Bootcamp
Penland School of Crafts: Contemporary Portrait Painting

Experience

Freelance Graphic Designer
Mishmash Art & Design    Seattle, WA & New Smyrna Beach, FL    July 2011-present

• Ongoing design of a wide range of material with a focus on print and presentation design. Clients include Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Frenkel Benefits, Mike Hipple Photography, Education Pioneers, Edge Business Innovations, Missionwise, and more
• Develop concepts and produce design deliverables, complete pre-press production, and manage the printing process including gathering quotes and attending press checks
• Manage multiple clients and projects while meeting deadlines on-time and on-budget

Senior Designer 
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation     Seattle, WA      November 2006-July 2011

In-House Design:

• Worked closely with Bill Gates’ team to design his PowerPoint presentations
• Collaborated with team talent including writers, video and web producers, and photo editor, to produce key foundation collateral including Bill Gates’ Annual Letters, brochures, PowerPoint presentations, and annual reports
• Completed pre-press production of files prior to delivery to print vendors
• Managed printing process, including gathering estimates, working closely with internal team to review proofs, and attending press checks
• Created foundation-branded templates and style guides for foundation collateral and white papers to allow clients and vendors to self-serve when creating new collateral documents

Art Direction:

• Art directed design work by staff and vendors, providing critique in the context of communications guidelines
• Provided actionable feedback, suggesting potential solutions aligned to our brand styles and standards
• Consulted and collaborated with team talent  to create constructive, holistic project direction
• Managed vendors including printers, translation firms, creative agencies, design firms, and freelance designers
• Researched, interviewed, and selected design and printing vendors

Freelance Graphic Designer
Lava Lab Creative     Seattle, WA     September 2001-December 2007

• Designed a wide range of material with a focus on print graphics. Clients included Simply Fun Board Games, Cranium, Microsoft, Oncology Education Services, Mike Hipple Photography, One Reel, and YMCA
• Recruited and managed clients, assessing needs and providing budgets and estimates
• Managed multiple clients and projects while meeting deadlines on-time and on-budget
• Developed concepts and produced design deliverables, completed pre-press production, and managed the printing process

Graphic Designer
Horton Lantz Marocco     Seattle, WA     August 1996 – September 2001

• Developed creative concepts in collaboration with a team of designers and creative directors
• Designed and illustrated a variety of collateral materials including packaging, point of sale, identity systems, business papers, brochures, environmental graphics, and other promotional materials.

Skills  

Computer  
Apple and PC environment
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Freehand
Quark Xpress
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Word
Prezi

Art/Illustration
Printmaking
Book binding
Acrylic painting
Encaustic painting
Mixed-media collage
Chalk and oil pastel drawing
Small-scale metalsmithing
Handbag design and construction