I love the creative world, especially where it converges with marketing and communications. I've spent the majority of my professional life working in a creative environment—from a small fine arts publishing company in London, to nonprofit organizations in the West and Midwest, to becoming a freelance designer and returning to my California roots. 

I am deadline-driven, a self starter, and love collaborating with clients to make beautiful pieces that inform, engage and delight! As an independent designer my clients include: HCA, Mebu Marketing, DeMolay Foundation, Ragazza Food & Wine, Nonprofit Karma, TeamSmile, Home of Distinction, International Essential Tremor Foundation, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Boulder History Museum.

Prior to becoming a freelance designer, I held a variety of positions in both the for profit and nonprofit sectors: I provided design and communications services for Hope House (a domestic violence services foundation), TLConcepts (marketing company specializing in nationwide custom home tours) and YouthFriends (a youth mentoring organization). Earlier on I was the primary liaison for the Social Venture Partners entrepreneurial fund at The Denver Foundation and coordinated operational activities for the Ginny Williams Family Foundation (a modern art entity).

Freelance Designer  |  2013–Present
Strategic designer specializing in integrated marketing and communications across print and digital platforms. Expertise includes corporate identity, annual reports, multi-channel advertising, and informational design. 

Mebu Marketing Consultants & M+M Marketing Consultants  |  2014–Present
Graphic Designer (Freelance) for Global Pharmaceutical Accounts
• AstraZeneca Program Identity: Conceptualize the visual “look and feel” for 30+ brands, focusing on patient and healthcare provider (HCP) platforms such as Access 360, AZ Direct, AZ&Me, and AZ Patient Direct.
• Digital UI Layouts: Utilize Figma to design web interfaces and build foundational UI components for affordability programs, ensuring a seamless transition from brand concept to digital application.
• Full-Spectrum Collateral: Execute a high volume of sales and marketing assets (flyers, banners, infographics, brochures, ads) for both internal corporate and external consumer audiences.

HCA Healthcare  |  2015–2020
Freelance Designer - Physicians Services Group
• Regional Communications: Provided comprehensive creative support for hospitals and specialty practices, developing print and digital assets for internal and external audiences.
• Recruitment & Engagement: Conceptualized and wrote copy for successful nurse recruitment campaigns, focusing on mission-driven messaging to drive regional staffing and growth.
• Data-Driven Design: Conceptualized and executed numerous Annual Reports and Quarterly Newsletters, translating complex healthcare metrics and regional milestones into engaging layouts.

Communications | Creative Services Director 
Hope House, Lee’s Summit, MO  |  2013–2014
• Strategic Advocacy & Storytelling: Directed brand management and social strategy, authoring high-impact appeals, newsletters, and local newspaper articles that exceeded fundraising goals.
• Public Relations & Community Outreach: Served as an organizational ambassador, speaking to community groups to raise awareness for domestic violence prevention and NPO mission-driven initiatives.
• Integrated Branding: Refreshed the organization’s "look and feel" with positive, empowering messaging across all print, digital, and social channels.

Creative Director | Graphic Designer 
TLConcepts, Leawood, KS  |  2011–2013  |  Freelance 2013–2018
• Led the visual identity for national luxury custom home tours and trade show events. Managed end-to-end design for tour guides, media kits, and web properties.

Graphic Designer | Administration  
YouthFriends, Kansas City, MO  |  2007–2011
• Responsible for the creative design of all materials: brochures, information packets, training manuals, logos, posters, newsletters, e-newsletters, ads, digital billboards, website design and maintenance, event collateral, etc. for a nonprofit, youth mentoring organization with varied audience of teachers, children and adult mentors.

Software
Adobe CC | InDesign | Photoshop | Illustrator | Figma

Education  
The Art Institute of Colorado, Denver, CO 
Hendon College of Further Ed, London, UK 
Delta College, Stockton, CA

Portfolio | creativehotlist.com/curbanek 
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/christineurbanek