Highly organized and decisive brand leader with 8+ years of team leadership and 20+ years of graphic design experience skilled in strategic vision, brand management, and developing creative concepts. Detail-oriented individual who values directness and champions solutions that remove obstacles, push boundaries, and exceed expectations. Intimately familiar with collaborating across departments and prepared to take on a higher level supervisory role over the entire creative process. Lover of classic cars, rock n’ roll, Bob Ross, and marshmallow Peeps.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Analytical thinking
• Strategic planning
• Delegation
• Organization
• Communication
• Rapport and relationship building
• Problem identification
• Problem solving and decision making
• Developing strong, independent designers
SKILLS
• Creative direction
• Idea development
• Brand and identity development
• Project management
• Team leadership, mentoring, and giving feedback
• Graphic design, photo-editing, and illustration
• Event design, floor plans, and wayfinding design
• Space planning and interior design
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Microsoft Office Suite
• HTML/CSS, CMS, and web frameworks
WORK HISTORY
2016–Present
IT Communications Office, University Communications and Marketing
• Brand identity promotion for the university as well as state, national, and international initiatives
• Address client challenges with creative and elegant ideas
• Develop the strategic vision for marketing campaigns, websites, social media, events, conferences, and trade shows
• Manage the success of marketing solutions with print and digital design deliverables for large and small scale events with budgets ranging from $200-$200K
• Translate complex ideas into innovative print and digital materials for both tech-savvy and lay audiences
• Foster a highly communicative and collaborative team culture on over 100 projects a year
• Mentor designers to strengthen skills and support career development
• Provide design feedback to improve deliverables, clarify creative ideas, strengthen design, and keep projects on schedule
• Manage all aspects of production for print and electronic publications including concept development, estimation of costs, design, digital production, content and advertising placement, and photography
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Collaborate closely with project managers, writers, designers, photographers, videographers, and front-end developers to achieve quality results
2013–2016
IT Communications Office, Office of the VP for Information Technology
• Oversaw the work of the creative team to ensure goals were met across departmental units and divisions
• Developed a forward-thinking culture of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity
• Reviewed the work of the creative team and provided constructive feedback
• Supported client growth through creative vision and a focus on excellence
• Developed and implemented creative strategies to achieve goals
2012–2013
IT Communications Office, Office of the VP for Information Technology
• Collaborated with stakeholders and creative team to assess the communication needs and goals
• Created communications and/or project plans
• Estimated timelines and budgets
• Outlined the creative brief to the team and assigned tasks using project management software tools
• Built production schedules for individual deliverables within the plan or brief
• Monitored progress of the creative team in effort to meet or exceed milestones
• Managed expectations among team and stakeholders as issues or changes arose
• Delivered projects on time and on budget
• Designed as needed (25% time allocation for design)
2009–2012
Creative Services, Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations
• Collaborated with project team about the creative brief and brainstormed as needed
• Prepared and produced print and digital layouts, presentations, and event deliverables
• Developed designs based on client requirements; proposed new ideas to exceed client expectations
• Worked in tandem with clients based on requirements, modifications, and feedback
• Updated project manager or client on progress, changes, and adjustments as needed
• Tracked time for accurate billing using project management software
• Maintained project schedules and completed work on time
• Ensured the final project was reviewed and edited for accuracy and quality
• Mentored student interns
2008–2009
Office of the President
• Implemented the first coded monthly email updates from the President using simple HTML
• Worked closely with the presidential speech writer and press secretary to coordinate designs and presentations for ceremonies and overseas trips
• Prepared and produced reports, handouts, programs and PowerPoint presentations for the President and First Lady
• Developed designs based on client requirements, modifications, and feedback
• Created collateral for special events, including invitations, tickets, holiday cards, programs, and specialty promotional items
• Designed and produced the archival journal documenting the presidential trip to Sweden celebrating Elinor Ostrom’s Nobel Prize win in Economic Sciences
• Worked closely with the manager of events to coordinate print collateral with event decor and florals
2000–2008
University Information Technology Services (UITS)
• Prepared and produced layouts and presentations for clients including brochures, displays, signage, posters, and other promotional materials related to initiatives for research, information technology, and student-based enterprises
• Coded the weekly Monitor newsletter using simple HTML
• Developed designs based on clients requirements
• Worked in tandem with clients based on requirements, modifications, and feedback
• Created complex technical diagrams outlining the systems and networks of Indiana University and Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana