The journey…

I make you, look good!
That is the best way I can describe my career.

I do not make any claims to fame on how I designed a piece that facilitated a zillion dollars in revenue or was featured on Oprah (although I do handle multi-million dollar clients daily and was a part of an Effy-winning project!). My career has been an eclectic mix of working very closely with creative teams, vendors, and clients to produce projects in the most effective, accurate, efficient, and visually appealing way (across all mediums) to be cohesive and cement the brand. In saying that, I also concept, design, and execute some super awesome campaigns as well!

My career has led me to the finer skillset of production. There is much more to a project than just the design. Concepts and design must be able to be produced, applied across many venues, and be cohesive to the brand standard. That’s where I come in! I consider myself an advertising production specialist and team leader with a couple decades of graphic design experience. I am corporate-trained and have been very fortunate to foster some super-great teams in my journey. I pick up company procedures, client needs, and software quickly. I take pride in my work, and I pride myself on being a brand leader and project manager for every project that comes across my desk. 

For the last two decades, my career has been managing high-volume accounts in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. I am results-oriented and brand-focused. I love to learn and pass on that knowledge, working smarter, not harder. I have a proven track record of success in production, social experiences, and building teams that excel and stay!

Career Experience

Doner Advertising Agency | Southfield, MI | 9/2004 - Current
Production Design Studio Director
I oversee and lead efforts in all aspects of production development. Collaborate and demonstrate a flexible approach to working across multiple teams and creative styles. I am a senior production designer and studio team director, just to break the title down. I have extensive working experience and knowledge in file preparation, limitations, and maintaining continuity of design and brand. I am responsible daily for direct team assignments, coordinating deadlines, facilitation of training, and educational resources for new hires, interns, freelancers, and even seasoned designers. I create processes by organizing and maintaining department priorities and traffic. Social/Digital Content Manager for the internal Hub website.

Borders Corporate Headquarters | Ann Arbor, MI | 9/2003–9/2004
Senior Art Director | Graphic Designer
Executed the server catalog file system for corporate and partnership logos. I created and designed the brand standard structuring guide for the corporate identity to ensure the Borders brand was maintained and consistent. I designed the “Romantic Reader”, a bi-monthly direct mail newsletter, and was a design contributor to the “Border’s Monthly” newsletter.

Aquent Partners (now Vitamin T) | Southfield, MI | 9/1998 - 3/2003
Graphic Design | Project Management | Production Designer
Long-term and repeat assignments with: Ford Motor Company, Oakwood Healthcare System, Smith & Winchester, Finch Advertising, and Doner Advertising

William D. Ford Career Technical & Vocational Center
Wayne/Westland, MI School District | 1994, 1995 & 1996 School Years
Graphic Design Instructor
Classroom instruction for second-year graphic design students to work within industry standards and client budgets. Projects included packaged design, silk screening, and basic Microsoft presentations.

Promoting EWE | Westland, MI | 2011 - Present
Owner/Graphic Design
Complete promotional campaigns for t-shirt design, printing, and social media. Two published book covers for “Behind the White Picket Fence” and “Pick a Struggle Cupcake.” Developed and continue to maintain various websites for many small businesses.

Education

Lynda.com to LinkedIn Learning | 2012-Ongoing
  Adobe Creative Suite - Microsoft Office Suite - Content Management
Pitney Bowes | Southfield, MI | 2010 & 2013
Training for a variety of interactive software. Focus on XMPie.
William D. Ford Career Technical Center | Westland, MI | 2010-2012
Web Design Technology - Certified Web Developer
Schoolcraft Community College | Livonia, MI | 2007, 2008 & 2013 
  Creating Web Pages/HTML/CSS I Marketing & Event Planning
New Horizons Learning Center | Livonia, MI | 1996, 2009
  Graphic Design Certification I Adobe Creative Suite
William D. Ford Career Technical Center | Westland, MI | 1990-1993
Graphic Design & Print Technology

Shout-outs, references & samples, oh my!

I volunteer for many charitable organizations to help boost revenue and growth, including fundraising events, creating and executing community builders to give shape to a new brand or idea and sit a president for a diversified community board of directors. I have implemented unique learning experiences with the ability to understand market dynamics and the target audience. Red Wagon Community Reading | Toys for Tots | WIND Corporation | Windover | The Godmothers | WAGs Animal Rescue | Websites: Krimkeeps.com - WindoverWomensResort.com

Skills / Software

Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Dayforce, Google Docs, ProofHQ, Workfront, Xinet Servers, FileMaker, WordPress, Vimeo, Keynote, XMPie, Namely and more. A variety of fulfillment ftp sites and social media platforms. I pick up software very quick and love learning something new!