As a creative artist and graphic designer with over 15 years experience, I enjoy utilizing my skills to combine words, images and concepts for clean, dynamic and appropriate presentations. With a solid foundation of computer expertise, graphic design training and print publication coordination, I perform efficiently under deadlines and thrive in multi-task, detail-oriented work environments. I am committed to the highest standards of professional and personal excellence and seek to work on challenging projects which provide invaluable information or service to the community. I also bake great bread and pastries - a skill which helps me achieve the goal of creating a product with my hands that is inspiring, nourishing, and/or satisfying in some way to the consumer!

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Publishing/Production
• Print production coordination including: cost estimating, research, and job scheduling; conceptualizing, creative and efficient layout and design, photo editing, and prepress preparation; printer, sales representative, and advertiser relations.
• Desktop publishing, graphic design
• Writing, editing, proofreading
• Painting, sign making, illustration.

Computer Software (IBM or Mac)
• Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Professional, Pagemaker
• Dreamweaver • Quickbooks • Microsoft Word, Excel • and more.

WORK HISTORY
Freelance Graphic Designer ~ 1990-present
• Coordinate all phases of production for many projects of varying scope from advertisements and brochures to web site design and hand painted business signage. Provide consultation, research, price quotes, content editing, graphic design, printer relations, marketing advice and related services.
• Exceptional communication skills, diplomacy and flexibility, and an ability to listen and respond to clients’ needs are necessary. Self-motivated work using broad knowledge of print production as well as creative talent combining words and images for dynamic presentation to different audiences.
• Recent completed projects: "Unfinished Houses" CD Packaging, CD Label & Poster; Eye of Denali Inn website (www.eyeofdenali.com); Alaska Nature Guides logo and rack card design; Denali Education Center Annual Newsletter; Studio Z rack card design; Bear Necessities Coalition advertisements.
• Recent Donated Work (Pro-Bono): Talkeetna Community Playground Project marketing materials and website, www.talkeetnaplayground.org.

Graphic Designer ~ AERO-METRIC, Inc. (formerly AeroMap U.S.) ~ Anchorage, Alaska ~ May 2004-March 2006
• Created, edited, and updated marketing materials for state-wide and nation-wide aerial photography and mapping company. Worked with staff of 60 to ensure consistent corporate identity on all company proposals, deliverables, and communications.
• Projects included posters, calendars, flyers, brochures, logos, website redesign (www.aerometric.com & www.lidaralaska.com), company resumes, trade show booth displays, and much more.
• Applied company name change to all marketing materials and converted many documents from CorelDraw to Adobe InDesign.

Photography Editor ~ Global Image Group, Soldotna, Alaska ~ October 2003-April 2004
• Prepared thousands of scanned slides for future use with search engine based, stock photography web site. Required accuracy, diligence, attention to detail, efficiency, and excellent spelling for large magnitude project.
• Organized and edited over 10,000 photo files into logical categories with methodical naming. Corrected all files for proper visual orientation, basic color correction, and appropriate cropping. Utilized Photoshop actions and batch commands for efficient processing.
• Achieved successful keywording by compiling words representing tangible and intangible concepts presented in photos. Developed hierarchical thesaurus utilizing creative, word-oriented problem solving. Produced comprehensive keyword lists for each image as well as batches of similar images.

Production Assistant/Writer ~ Talkeetna Good Times Newspaper, Talkeetna, Alaska ~ 2001-2003
• Worked closely with publisher and editor in small office during deadlines on monthly newspaper, summer supplement sections, advertising, Chamber of Commerce Directory, and local area telephone book.
• Utilized wide variety of design, computer, editing and proofreading skills. Commended for exceptional attention to detail in design, layout and proofreading. Reviewed content for grammar, accuracy, consistency, and appearance.
• Responsible for creative design and layout of special summer supplements during 2002. Recognized by Alaska Press Club in 2002 with third place award for Best Section/Small Newspapers.
• Redesigned Chamber of Commerce directory with cleaner, more professional appearance, easier to read
directory of businesses and newly designed business locator map.
• Cooperated with coworkers on complex telephone book project. Contributed large quantity of advertising including creation and updating. Performed listings editing, work-flow organization, file management and proofreading.
• Authored six articles published during 2003.

Communications Assistant ~ Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, Newton, MA ~ 1991-1994
• Integral part of three person communications team for 14,000 member center with educational, recreational, and entertainment programs and services for children, families, adults, and seniors.
• Under supervision of department director, responsible for marketing development, graphic design, print production coordination, writing, editing and photography on wide variety of projects.
• Performed design, typesetting, and desktop publishing on monthly newsletters, quarterly course catalogs, membership marketing materials, brochures, advertisements, annual reports, event logos, displays, calendar, and more.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Graphic Design
Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, MA ~ 1992-1994: Typography I & II, Graphic Design I & II, Illustration
Computer Training
CompuMaster Seminars, Anchorage, AK: Photoshop, Advanced Photoshop, Dreamweaver
Undergraduate Education
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA ~ 1987-1991: Bachelor of Arts degree: May 1991, Magna Cum Laude with Honors, Major: English & American Literature
Business
Kenai Peninsula College, Soldotna, AK ~ 2002-2003: Fundamentals of Accounting, Small Business Management, Quickbooks

ADDITIONAL PURSUITS
Baking
From 1995-2007, pursued longtime love for baking bread and pastries on a professional level. Part time and seasonal positions reinforced skills such as self-motivation, efficiency under time constraints, multi-tasking, consistency and creative presentation of finished products. During times when graphic design (or motherhood) has been the focus, have continued to produce occassional special order cakes, wedding cakes, and pastry donations whenever possible.

Fine Art
Taking the concept of cut-paper snowflakes to a sophisticated level of craft, intricate and bold original designs have been displayed and sold at several galleries and auctions. Using fine handmade papers, creations are meticulously cut out, unfolded and framed to reveal stunning and unusual silhouettes. Article about artist and artwork published in June 2003 Talkeetna Good Times special section, “The Northern Muse.”