I've been doing graphic design since the completion of my graphic arts technology degree back in May, 2001.
My first position as a graphic designer was with the Infotrieve Company contracted by and located within The Dow Chemical Company in Midland, MI. My main projects consisted of restoring old scientific reports. Most of them were created on a typewriter or even handwritten. I created programs to perform optical character recognition (OCR) batches on the reports to create new electronic files for each. I restored the old graphics which consisted of drawings, sketches, diagrams and photographs. Finally, I created new page layouts and the reports were proofread and safely stored in their new electronic versions in a secured database.
I was then offered a career with the Midland Daily News as a graphic designer creating advertising for daily publication. CREATIVE FREEDOM! I had complete reign of how I wanted to design most ads. I got to decide the mood, theme and style of how each ad would look. I created a huge variety of ads for many different businesses and organizations; some small and some very large. Some were designed in black and white and some were full color process. It was a wonderful experience. I learned so much while working with MDN. I learned about proportion, attention to detail, white space (haha!), professionalism, DEADLINES!, teamwork and most of all, that I was proud of what I do for a living.
My career took me to Ann Arbor to be near my fiance whom is now my husband. I took a graphic design internship with Ducks Unlimited, Inc., a non-profit organization devoted to restoring habitats for waterfowl and other wildlife. It was a totally different design experience. I was the only graphic designer for 18 states and created media from start to finish. Meaning: I laid it out, designed it, produced it, printed it, folded it and shipped it! I created all of their informative materials including brochures, pamphlets, invitations, dedications, annual reports, posters, displays and I also maintained their website. It was also my first experience working by myself so it required a lot of responsibility and time management.
I then took a short term assignment with Advance Print & Graphics which I just recently finished. This was my first experience in a print-on-demand shop and I learned a lot in a short period of time! I learned how to use a direct to plate system and how to use a lot of pressroom equipment including imagesetters and processors. I'm a whiz at making templates nad at color mangement systems. I've learned that deadlines are always an issue in graphic design, and print on demand was no different. I am grateful for the experience I gained with Advance Print & Graphics. I now feel like I'm a very well rounded graphic designer.
I'm currently working for Global Educational Excellence, a charter school management company. I work as board compliance coordinator and I also do all of the graphic design and marketing for the company. I create all forms of media, including advertising, letterhead, business cards, promotional materials and have worked closely with radio stations and other forms of media. I love my job, but would like to start working full time in the design or marketing industry.
Digital & Fine Art
Advertising
Various Layouts
My Resume