Professional Experience
Core Strengths and Areas of Expertise include:
- Visual Composition
- Typography and Type Design
- Logo Design and Branding
- Original Illustration
- HTML, CSS and JavaScript
- QuarkXPress, Microsoft Office & Adobe Creative Cloud/Suite Expertise
- Monitoring Production Process
- Web Image Processing/Installation
- Writing, Copy Editing & Proofing
- Cross-Platform Experience
- Adapting to Shifting Priorities
CAREER EXPERIENCE
Production Specialist
General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church 1/2020 – 5/2020
Worked full-time on site for major religious organization providing global health, disaster relief, education and other services around the world. Processed and shipped orders from local and regional conferences for shipments of brochures, stationery, swag items and other collateral. Oversaw bidding, selection and production processes for several vendors producing these materials as well as other items. Added/tagged images for agency asset storage.
*** Significant Deliverables ***:
- Redesigned collateral/swag processing system for improved efficiency
- Created internal photo archive and designed structure for categorizing and tagging images
- Designed and built agency Standard Operating Procedure document template and wrote 1st document
- Redesigned online collateral ordering form for updated products, easier use and processing
- Designed and drafted ordering procedure document for annual General Conference
Freelance Web/Graphic Designer
Atlanta, GA, 3/2003 to 6/2013
Mbabane, Swaziland, 6/2013 to 2/2017
Atlanta, 2/17 to 1/18; 10/17/2019 to 1/13/2020, 5/18/2020 to present
Provided design, illustration and production services for contract work and freelance clients in the metro Atlanta area part-time and full-time. Previously worked in Africa and remotely for clients in in the US and United Kingdom. Also performed temporary assignments for Atlanta-area staffing agencies and my own clients.
*** Major accomplishments: ***
- Designed promotional package for local printing company including die-cut box, inserts & 4-pg. brochure
- Designed investor handout and slide deck for launch of aviation company based in the Bahamas
- Produced communications materials for HIV/AIDS program (brochure, banner, letterhead, HTML pages)
- Worked as editor of Embassy newsletter, wrote articles and edited text/image submissions
- Created and produced full-color brochures for remote freelance clients in U.S., Ireland and the UK
- Designed T-shirt and CD artwork, E-book covers for freelance clients
Prepress Graphic Designer/Platesetter
ProGraphics Communications/Drummond Press – Atlanta, GA 1/18 to 3/18, 5/18 to 10/19
Worked as production designer, prepress operator and later platesetter for major Atlanta printing company before and after it was acquired by a Florida-based competitor in April 2018. Created and edited designs for clients including printed material, banners, die-cut wall signage and promotional items.
*** Principal Achievements ***:
- Designed promotional package for employer, including glossy die-cut box, inserts & 4-pg. brochure
- Achieved proficiency in use of Kodak Magnus and Fuji platesetting machines and controlling software
- Checked & plated large sets of warehouse-club pull cards for 3rd-party client on tight deadline
- Produced complex press layouts with Kodak Prinergy/Preps and SmartStream imposition software
- Created online schedule and labels for plates to improve communication and efficiency in production
Prepress/Shop Assistant
Minuteman Press of Sandy Springs, Sandy Springs, GA - 2/12 to 02/13
Provided design, production and bindery services as well as assistance with customer database and shop duties for recently relocated franchise printing shop through change in ownership.
*** Major accomplishments include: ***
- Created and produced original 13-month store calendar for marketing distribution to clients
- Oversaw design and production of products for several weddings, including invitations and mailings using variable data printing, as well as table signage and program cards
- Designed/produced print brochures, presentation folders, web pages and vehicle signage
- Built HTML-based e-mail layouts for direct mailings with hand-coding and Adobe Creative Cloud software
Prepress Operator/Designer
Superior Printing Co. Inc. - Atlanta, GA - 01/08 to 08/11
Provided design and production for high-volume printer with clients in hospitality, restaurants and organized labor. Designed creative packaging, print promotional materials and interactive PDFs from initial concept to final production for digital and press printing. All work on iMacs with OS X Leopard and Adobe Creative Suite 4/5.
*** Major achievements include: ***
- Executed complex custom die-cut design for local hospital auxiliary annual event program
- Designed style sheets, standard procedures and instruction sheets on processes for co-workers
- Trained in use of software for direct-to-plate imposition and digital pad numbering
- Designed PDF forms for client use in ordering standard business cards via e-mail submission
- Constructed studio setup for product photography, took and processed photos for company website
Information on jobs held prior to 2009 available upon request.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY & AFFILIATIONS
- Networking Meetings and Lectures, Atlanta Web Design Group
- Macromedia Dreamweaver, Knowledge Shop, Duluth, GA
- Online Proofing, Allegra Network Training Center, Detroit, MI
- QuarkXPress and Adobe Photoshop, Silver Spring, MD
- Aldus PageMaker, USDA Graduate School, Washington, DC
- CRTronic Typesetting Systems, Linotype Inc., Dallas, TX
- Memberships: Freelancers' Union, AIGA Atlanta Chapter, Graphic Artists' Guild
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Graphic Design (GPA: 3.5)
Louisiana State University - School of Design; Baton Rouge, LA
