Experience

Graphic Designer / Writer / Photographer, Portland Rescue Mission, July 2009–present

• Work on Development team to produce all print needs for the Mission. Primary projects include a quarterly newsletter, the annual report, 10 annual direct mail appeals, prayer request calendars, advertisements, annual banquet collateral and receipt thank you letters. Secondary projects include photography at events, blog posts, Christmas cards, and meeting the needs of various departments.
• For primary projects, all details from conception to production are facilitated by me, aside from lists of names and organizing the mail-out process for direct mail projects.
• Regularly interview street guests and recovery residents for Development needs. 

Associate Art Director, Erwin Penland Advertising (A Hill Holliday Agency), February 2009–July 2009

• Promotion based on creative work and potential shown during a pitch for new business.
• Create posters, billboards, menus, ads, product brochures, POP and in-store signage, etc. for clients including Denny’s, Greenville Drive baseball team and Michelin.
• Work directly with a Group Creative Director and Executive Creative Director, developing new ideas, proposing improvements and performing routine changes to newly created work, often under tight deadlines.
• Work with studio artists and graphic designers to see work through to production.

Graphic Designer, Erwin Penland Advertising, July 2007–February 2009

• Studio point designer for Verizon Wireless Midwest region print needs.

° Worked with art directors in Greenville and New York to finalize weekly newspaper master ad layouts, then created master ad variations and oversaw more than twenty graphic designers during execution of all Midwest ads.
° Regularly oversaw and completed work on flyers, web banners, single ads, and mailers for Verizon promotions.
° Finalized files for weekly Verizon circular, working with four other designers.

• Graphic designer for Wachovia, ScanSource, Bi-Lo, Fatz Cafe, Michelin, Milliken, Greenville Drive and others.

° As Studio point designer for Wachovia, created new pieces and edited existing pieces based on creative guidelines, and communicated with account executives and art directors, adapting capabilities to meet unique needs of the client.
° For all clients, managed single projects from the ground up, assessing artistic, functional, and practical needs. Worked independently of direct supervision, checking in with art directors for guidance and communicating directly with head account executives and production managers in order to complete the project on time. Delegated work when necessary. Worked extra hours to fulfill demands of larger projects. Assisted teams during new business pitches.

• Redesigned EP employee application.
• Created online gallery of rejected and freelance work for EP creatives.

Graphic Designer, Furman University M&PR department, July 2006–June 2007

• Hired as a Furman Alumni Fellow, selected for an intensive one-year position.
• Responsible for general print needs of the university, under guidance of senior graphic designer.

° Met with clients and creative team to determine how to best market programs and events, then produced posters, pamphlets, postcards, booklets, programs, signs, banners, envelopes, cards, invitations, journals, etc.
° Prepared jobs for printing on the university’s two-color press; packaged four-color jobs for outside printers; handled proofing concerning color adjustments and type changes.

• Created a parents’ newsletter at the request of multiple university departments. Developed theme and list of articles for each (per term) issue. Developed overall look and feel of publication. Sought parent feedback and adjusted our direction accordingly. Presented ideas and results to President’s Council and Parents’ Council.
• Created a video series for an outside university department. Met with students and faculty and filmed shorts with a specific objective in mind. Was flexible in working through an evolving concept.
• Managed work of various student designers.

PixelProfit Interactive, LLC, Co-partner, July 2006–July 2007

• Acquired clients both through overflow of other web firms as well as from personal contacts.
• Researched, sought advice, brainstormed and started over whenever necessary.

Student Worker, Furman University M&PR department, September 2002–May 2006

• Work-study position through all four years of college. Web design, photo editing, and graphic design experience.
• Posted online foreign study journal for work-study during term abroad, fall 2004, Cortona, Italy.

Youth Director Intern, First United Methodist Church, Tifton, GA, summer 2004

• Developed thematic Bible studies, led worship for weekly meetings and retreats, managed parent volunteers.
• Assumed full responsibility as full-time youth minister left church for another job. Worked closely with parent volunteers to ensure a smooth transition.

Youth Counselor, Epworth by the Sea, Saint Simons Island, GA, summer 2003
With eighteen other counselors, planned and implemented five weekly camp sessions. Traveled for a week with three other counselors with a single church youth group and planned lessons and worship.

Volunteering

Safe Harbor Emergency Home for Survivors of Domestic Abuse, Greenville, SC, present
Babysit children once a week while their mothers attend classes to increase their self-sufficiency.

Triune Mercy Center, Greenville, SC, 2005–2008
Assisted in clothing closet, prepared meals, organized donations, formed relationships with the poor and homeless members, with the staff, and with other volunteers.

Education

Furman University, Greenville, SC

• Studio Art major, 3.4 GPA, 70% of tuition paid by scholarships.
• Leadership roles in Chi Omega sorority, member of Art Student League, Furman University Student Activity Board, Orientation Staff, Senior Order (women’s honor society).

Westover High School, Albany, GA

• Valedictorian.
• AP courses, Honors courses, Chorus, Art, Cross Country, Soccer.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite 4, Adobe Acrobat Professional, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Mac and PC. Instruction, delegation, brainstorming, sketching, time-management, optimistic attitude, thoughtful approach.

Of Interest

• Completed pro-bono work for The International Network of Street Papers out of Glasgow, Scotland.
• Attended the 2006 Sojourner’s Conference on Faith, Poverty and Politics in Washington, DC. Saw one of the first democratic debates for the 2008 Presidential election.
• Interested in community development and urban development, homeless and poor issues, transportation, zoning, homeless issues, volunteering.
• Love art and design magazines, culture magazines, music magazines, galleries, concerts, museums.
• Influences include Corita Kent, Barbara Kruger, John Baldessari.
• Enjoy running, traveling, meeting new people, whistling, and making brunswick stew.
• Participated in Katrina relief work in 2005.