PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Accomplished graphic design professional with a proven record of experience in challenging and fast-paced environments. Career experience includes providing design and production support for companies of all sizes, from small local print shops and advertising agencies to major global retailers. A dependable, conscientious team member recognized for contributing quality work. Academic credentials include a BFA in graphic design with training in software and board skills as well as web design, desktop publishing and typesetting.

Core Strengths and Areas of Expertise Include:
- Visual Composition
- Typography and Type Design
- Logo Design and Branding
- Original Hand and Digital Illustration
- HTML, CSS and JavaScript
- QuarkXPress and Adobe Creative Suite Expertise
- Monitoring Production Process
- Web Image Processing/Installation
- Writing, Copy Editing & Proofing
- Cross-Platform Experience 
- Adapting to Shifting Priorities

CAREER EXPERIENCE

Freelance Web/Graphic Designer
Atlanta, GA, 3/2003 to 6/2013; Mbabane, Swaziland, 6/2013 to present
Providing design, illustration and production services for contract work and freelance clientele while seeking full-time employment. Registered and certified on Elance, oDesk, PeoplePerHour, Guru and Wyzant websites. Also performed temporary assignments for select clients of Atlanta-area staffing agencies.
Major achievements include:
- Won contract to design communications materials for PEPFAR Swaziland HIV/AIDS program
- Won contract to be editor of Mbabane Embassy newsletter, wrote articles and edited nine issues to date
- Designed logo and training materials for startup consulting firm and trained owners in software use
- Designed and produced full-color brochures for remote freelance clients in Ireland and the UK

Prepress/Shop Assistant
Minuteman Press of Sandy Springs
Atlanta, 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.
*** Major accomplishments include: ***
- Designed and produced original promotional 13-month calendar for store
- Completed design and production for several weddings, including invitations, mailing using variable data printing, table signage and program cards
- Designed original box ads for multiple-client broadsheet mailings
- Designed print brochures, presentation folders, web pages and vehicle signage for a transportation service

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 sticker for internal use on original client files to save time writing information on printouts
- 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

Graphic Designer
Aquent LLC
Atlanta, GA - 02/07 to 12/07
Design and production support for metro area clients including two printing houses and a digital graphics production company. Original design, direct-to-plate and digital printing. Included long-term assignment creating website pages from printed material for a major home improvement retailer. ?*** Key accomplishments include: ***
- Completed transition of three project guides from printed books to webpage format, including photos
- Trained in design and installation of website pages using template-based groupware system 
- Designed slide presentations, specialty promotional items and print collateral for freelance clients

Prepress Specialist
Allegra Print & Imaging
Marietta, GA - 01/05 to 02/07
Provided prepress and production services full-time for a franchise printing, signmaking and promotional items shop in metro Atlanta. Direct-to-plate and high-resolution laser output, bindery and digital production management. E-commerce website setup and maintenance for select clients. All work on Mac G4 using Adobe Creative Suite 3.
*** Major achievements include: ***
- Designed and assembled several large foldout instructional brochures for major technology client
- Established online ordering system and forms for clients to request business cards with self-entered copy to display samples in PDF format
- Trained in use of Konica Minolta bizPro copier/printer systems and EFI Fiery RIP controller software

Graphic Designer
Venturi Staffing Partners, Semper International LLC et al.
Atlanta, GA - 06/03 to 01/05
Temporary print and Web design/production services for corporate clients of staffing agencies in the greater Atlanta metro area. Clients included a local professional association whose needs included production and design of flyers, newsletters, posters and Web pages promoting association events and trade school courses.
*** Key contributions include: ***
- Developed web pages for Realtor® association client website using CSS style templates and photos
- Designed collateral incorporating stock-photo artwork for local office of Lockheed Martin Corp.
- Created original illustrations for silkscreen T-shirts to be printed for convention attendees

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY & AFFILIATIONS
- Networking Meetings and Lectures, Atlanta Web Design Group, 2007-2013
- Macromedia Dreamweaver, Knowledge Shop, Duluth, GA, 2007
- Online Proofing, Allegra Network Training Center, Detroit, MI, 2006
- QuarkXPress and Adobe Photoshop, Silver Spring, MD, 1994
- Aldus PageMaker, USDA Graduate School, Washington, DC, 1989
- CRTronic Typesetting Systems, Linotype Inc., Dallas, TX, 1986

Memberships: Atlanta Web Design Group, Freelancers’ Union, LSU Alumni Association, Graphic Artists’ Guild, Adobe Users Group of Atlanta

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Graphic Design (GPA: 3.5)
Louisiana State University – School of Design; Baton Rouge, LA