I started designing when I was 15.
Spring 2020 Graduate of James Madison University
from Annapolis, Maryland
Photo by Sydney Kane, DMVPortraits
A family tradition of mine that started before I was born was the creation of these elaborate, yet memorable family photo calendars every year with my mother using online services like Shutterfly. When I was a mere 10 years old, I had such a love for crafts like snapping photos and scrapbooking, that I couldn’t help but want to take over this responsibility. The rest is history.
From that day forward, I discovered more professional outlets for my interests in graphic & layout design during high school such as yearbook production classes and photography & Photoshop classes from ages 15-18.
Among receiving a AP score of a 5 in 2D Design, pursuing a career in design in college felt like a no-brainer.
Before graduating from James Madison University, I had spent the majority of my four years creating and producing designs of all kinds, including print, digital, and social media content. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Media Arts & Design with a concentration in Interactive Design as well as a minor in Art. I have developed proficiencies in the Adobe Suite including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. I am also experienced with using a DSLR camera as well as editing using Lightroom. Through my Interactive Design classes, I am also familiar with the coding languages: HTML5, CSS, Bootstrap 4 and Javascript for producing functioning websites as well as being knowledgable in UX/UI Design.
WORK POSITIONS:
Graphic Designer
April 2021 - Present
Created and designed layout editorial pages for bimonthly issues, web & digital marketing materials, and advertising profiles with the Art Director while using print press production processes for the Bethesda Magazine. Coordinated and assisted photographers on photoshoots, color corrected/edited photos.
Graphic Design Director
March 2019 - May 2020
Paid, part-time employee working 10 hours/week during the academic school year on the Executive Council for the University Program Board at JMU in charge of overseeing design work of 5 chairpeople and creating the organization-wide print/social media graphics and apparel.
Graphic Design Intern
May 2019 - August 2019
Worked on-site with the corporate marketing team for the Maryland Chamber of Commerce to design print & digital collateral focused on government advocacy, B2B/B2C, special events, strategic partnership development, and member services.
Brand Designer & Developer
April 2018 - July 2019
Creator of the logo, brand, and apparel of the branch, Listening Ear, under the World Scout Jamboree organization for their 24th annual jamboree under Boy Scouts of America.
Ad & Design Chairperson
May 2018 - May 2019
Reported to Graphic Design Director and Marketing Team for weekly strategy & event planning meetings for the University Program Board at JMU. Created weekly/monthly concert flyers and social media ads for 1 of 5 planning committees showcasing musical performing artists.
First Year Orientation Guide (F.R.O.G.)
August 2018 - May 2019
Facilitated and lead, under the James Madison University Orientation team, 20 first-year students in seven 18-hour workdays during 1787 August Orientation Week and beyond to prepare them for college and engage them in the James Madison community.
Multimedia Journalism Study Abroad
June 2018 - July 2018
Studied multimedia journalism for 4 weeks in Urbino, Italy. Overcame language barriers by working with translators to interview a non-english speaking Italian family to produce video, photos, and a feature news story about their family story. View my project here:
http://2018.urbinoproject.com/blacksmith-1/
