PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Innovative, motivated professional with a solid background in creating, developi

ng and implementing compelling design initiatives integral to optimizing bottom-
line profits. Extensive experience in diverse media such as print/web ads, logo
/identity, signs, direct mail and email marketing, presentations and catalogs/br
ochures.
Broad background in the creative services industry, ranging from agency to corpo
rate environments and from entertainment to small business identity design.
Effectively communicates timeline, production process, and technological challen
ges and capabilities with external departments and entities to develop opportuni
ties and achieve results.
Excels at building and establishing key relationships with broad populations inc
luding senior management, clients and vendors.
Highly versatile; quickly masters new roles, responsibilities, technologies and
environments.
Reputation for integrity, hard work, dedication and work ethic.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Creative Concept Development Print Production & Design Problem Solving Presen
tations Copywriting
Team Leadership Client Relations Vendor Negotiations Marketing Campaigns Bra
nd Identity Networking
Graphic Design Project Management Catalog Development & Design Art Direction
Imagination
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
The Creative Group, Chicago, Illinois (2007Present)
Freelance Graphic Designer
Collaborate with clients to implement creative strategy plans in order to produc
e high-quality design logos, website headers and navigations. Develop strong ab
ility to integrate creative strategies in alignment with client goals and prepar
e innovative designs.
BET Networks: Effectively streamlined marketing and promotional initiatives to
improve the overall BET brand.
Flair Communications: Designed proposal layouts and designs for million-dollar
corporate contracts under extremely tight deadlines; conducted internal and exte
rnal end-user training for effective and efficient use of templates.
Additional Clientele included: American Hospital Association, IRH Capital, Bla
ckwell Consulting, Jacobs & Clevenger, Tribune Direct, Ulta Corporation, Zagnol
i, LLC, TargetCom, Edelman Global PR Firm, JP Morgan Chase, Gaston Advertising,
Inc. and Calamos Investments, Inc.
Schumacher Electric, Corporation, Mount Prospect, Illinois (2006-2007)
Freelance Graphic Designer
Created innovative packaging, brochures, catalogs, as well as theme and graphics
for marketing and sales presentations and corporate websites. Teamed with staf
f to develop streamlined production templates for use by creative staff and free
lance designers and facilitate print purchasing and vendor negotiations. Prepar
ed innovated product catalogs and brochures.
Midtronics, Incorporated, Willowbrook, Illinois (2005-2007)
Freelance Graphic Designer (20062007)
Senior Graphic Designer (20052006)
Liaised between management and support staff to prepare a broad range of marketi
ng and promotional materials, including drafting policy manuals and educational
materials for Marketing Department. Effectively implemented targeted action pla
ns to maximize operational productivity, efficiency and profitability while main
taining quality assurance levels. Utilized exceptional skills in supporting the
Marketing Manager in overseeing vendor negotiations, print purchasing and admin
istration functions.
Contributed strategic planning, prioritization and project management skills tow
ard consistently achieving critical deadlines while maintaining high quality sta
ndards.
Cultivated key relationships with sales managers, designers, vendors and key dis
tributors.
Trained, mentored and motivated junior graphic designers to ensure optimum staff
performance and compliance with internal policies and procedures.
Quill Corporation, Lincolnshire, Illinois (2003-2005)
Senior Production Designer
Spearheaded a wide array of different projects and led staff in day-to-day activ
ities, with an emphasis on managing the production of catalogs and other print c
ollateral. Collaborated closely with Art Directors and Senior Designers in upda
ting the asset archive, performing extensive copywriting and ensuring vendors re
ceived accurate and updated information.
Earned multiple awards for successful increasing sales initiatives, team buildin
g and leadership, and partnership development.
Increased catalog sales by 148% by creating and facilitating the integration of
an innovative software page layout template to enhance product promotions and in
crease visual presence of each product.
Designed, developed and submitted comps and production art for approved designs
in marketing, product and editorial capacities.
Continually sought to improve operational efficiency through effective workload
delegation, project management and quality control of assigned production projec
ts.
The Boston Consulting Group, Chicago, Illinois (1997-2003)
Production Specialist
Strategically coordinated and completed projects to ensure on-time, budget-compl
iant delivery while maintaining high quality standards of corporate marketing pr
esentation layout and design. Supported all aspects of the timely execution of
slides processes from inception through completion. Applied advanced graphic de
sign skills in creating eye-catching graphics, diagrams and illustrations for cl
ient presentations and proposals, for 15+ practice areas.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Arts, Minor in Business Technical Writing - Chicago
State University, Chicago, IL
Associate of Science in Web Design - Robert Morris College, Tinley Park, IL
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Platforms: Mac OS 9/10, Windows Vista/XP/Me/2000
Applications: Adobe Photoshop, PageMaker, InDesign, Freehand, Acrobat, and Illus
trator; QuarkXPress; MS FrontPage, Publisher, and Office Suite (Word, Excel, Pow
erPoint, Outlook)