EDUCATION

BACHELOR OF ARTS, GRAPHIC DESIGN

May 2008
Bradley University  |  Peoria, Illinois

Minors in Multimedia Design and Marketing  |  GPA: 3.80/4.0, Magna Cum Laude

WORK EXPERIENCE

FREELANCE CLIENTS

Graphic Designer
May 2004 - Present

I love to take on contract projects for a variety of clients! I have been freelancing for many years, and have been a full-time freelancer since July of 2016. New challenges and different experiences keep my creative skills current. I have experience in branding and identity design, printed brand collateral, infographic and other custom illustrations, web and print-based advertisements, large-scale wayfinding graphics, photo editing and more. Recent clients include Freedom Service Dogs, Peter Glenn Ski & Sports, Yamaha Motors, image360 Atlanta Northeast, Quality Connections Southwest, Score Foothills, Redwood Educational Services, Charming Charlie, Documenting Hope and Epidemic Answers, Dishy Events, Stacie Shea Events, Festive St. Louis, Florists Ally, The Illinois State Floral Association, Food Should Taste Good, and more.

PAPPAS RESTAURANTS, INC.
Houston, Texas

Graphic Designer
February 2015 - July 2016

As a graphic designer at Pappas Restaurants, Inc., I managed and designed all creative materials for the Pappas BBQ, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Pappas Burger and Pappas Seafood House brands. I also created promotional materials for Pappas Delivery and Pappas Catering, and for other corporate promotions and charitable events. Projects included rebranding two restaurant concepts, the brand standard development and design of menus, table tents, posters, signs, banners, web and social media graphics, email blasts and more!

TEN FOUR PAPER, LLC
St. Louis, Missouri
& Houston, Texas

Owner and Designer
April 2011 - December 2016

Ten Four Paper was a custom stationery and greeting card company founded in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, later operated in Houston, Texas. I provided unique, custom designs for weddings, events, announcements and other invitations. I also had a retail line of fun, colorful, slightly snarky greeting cards and stationery goods carried in over 15 stores nationwide. My work was published nationally in a variety of magazines, wedding blogs and design publications.

THE GROWTH PARTNERSHIP
St. Louis, Missouri

Graphic Designer
March 2011 - September 2013

At the Growth Partnership, I was the sole Graphic Designer in the firm, responsible for a variety of branding and marketing projects for clients in the accounting industry. I created logos and brand identity packages, brand collateral such as folders, advertisements, website design mockups and client eNewsletter template designs, and a variety of other marketing and design projects.

CONTINENTAL RESEARCH CORPORATION
St. Louis, Missouri

Graphic Designer
April 2010 - March 2011

At Continental Research Corporation, I produced a broad spectrum of print marketing materials for a national sales force. My responsibilities included the design of brochures, business cards, sales promotions, product literature, and the maintenance of the corporate website and employee portal. I also worked on relabeling and rebranding product packaging to create a cohesive brand identity for the company and its products.

I.T.T. TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
St. Louis, Missouri

Adjunct Instructor
May 2010 - March 2012

I taught and instructed college students in design fundamentals and art and graphic design production processes. I presented design theory concepts, interacted with students and encouraged them through lab exercises and design projects, and worked hard to create an informative and fun learning environment.

GROUP 360
St. Louis, Missouri

Production Artist
August 2009 - April 2010

As an employee at Group 360, I created print, web, packaging and display graphics for a vast client field. I was responsible for making sure files were print-ready, assets were managed correctly, and all work left the studio in perfect shape. I also concepted new ideas, art directed projects, retouched product photographs and helped to train other employees. Clients included AB-In Bev, Ralston Foods, and many others.

JWT INSIDE
A Division of JWT
St. Louis, Missouri

Production Artist
August 2008 - August 2009

As a production artist for JWT INSIDE, I designed and built a variety of print and web-based display ads for our clients. This required the ability to follow detailed client templates, modify existing ads, and design new ads based on client requirements. I worked in a deadline-driven environment where attention to detail and an eye for good design was key. Regular clients included Capital One, HSBC, GM, PNC, Darden Restaurants, Shell, Boeing, Home Depot, and many others.

CATERPILLAR INC.
Fortune 100 Company
Peoria, Illinois

Graphic Designer
December 2006 - May 2008

At Caterpillar, my responsibilities
included the development of corporate communication tools including brochures, newsletters, posters, banners, wayfinding graphics, logo designs and exhibition displays. I also managed the design and printing of two monthly corporate newsletters and supplemental materials. Exciting projects included a brochure translated into thirteen languages for worldwide distribution, and exhibition graphics for an engine display area on the factory floor.

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

SONOR 
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Creative Director 
August 2004 - May 2008 

SONOR is a student-run marketing agency for the Wellness Center at Bradley University which promotes social-norming messages pertaining to alcohol consumption and tobacco use to the students on Bradley University’s campus. As the Creative Director, I conceived marketing strategies, managed the group’s creative team, implemented marketing campaigns, organized promotional materials, proposed funding initiatives, and designed various items for campus-wide distribution.

AIGA |  Bradley Chapter

Active Member and Co-President
December 2005 - May 2008 

As Co-President of the chapter, I managed and organized meetings, communicated with design professionals and attended design-related lectures and learning opportunities.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Recipient of Bradley’s Presidential Scholarship  |  2004-2008
Recipient of Bradley’s Art Department Scholarship  |  2004-2008
Bradley University Dean’s List Every Semester  |  2004-2008
Study Abroad in Seville, Spain  |  Bradley University  |  January of 2008

SKILLS AND SOFTWARE

PROFICIENT IN:

Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
Microsoft Office Suite
Printing & File Prepress Processes 
Static Web Graphics & Front End Website Design
Photography & Photo Editing
Social Media Marketing

PUBLICATIONS

My work has been featured in the following design and wedding publications:

Brooklyn Bride  |  The Elevated Envelope  |  Elizabeth Anne Designs  |  Every Last Detail  |  Giftware News Magazine  |  Green Wedding Shoes  |  The Knot Missouri & Kansas Magazine  |  Oh So Beautiful Paper  |  The Paper Chronicles  |  Pocket Wedding Guide  |  St. Louis Bride Magazine  |  St. Louis Magazine  |  Style Me Pretty  |  Utterly Engaged  |  Wedding Chicks  |  Weddings in Houston  |  WellWed Hamptons Magazine  |  WellWed New York