Hi! I'm a graphic designer and manager based in the KC Metro area.
I often joke that my sociology degree gave me the ability to read the minds of clients. Obviously, mind-reading is impossible, but sociology did give me the tools to identify social patterns, which helps me understand how clients interact or struggle with a product, process or platform. Once I identify similar behaviors, I'm better able to anticipate client needs and craft a better design and message.
This process usually results in at least one person asking, "but, how did you figure out that out!?" And mind reading is the simplest answer.
Experience
Self-Employed
Minnesota and Kansas
2009 – Present
Freelance Graphic Designer
Designed logo and campaign materials for the 2017 Hillary Shields for Missouri State Senate campaign. Developed detailed brand guidelines and templates to ensure the candidate could easily maintain a consistent visual identity.
Designed web graphics, invites, event collateral social media content, brochures, and logos for various clients and political candidates.
Designed and produced custom album art and materials for various musicians.
Typeset and formatted educational books and promotional materials for a children’s book publisher; created annual and seasonal publishing catalogs and sales sheets.
TJP Strategies & Atomic Modern
Kansas City Metro
October 2020 – March 2021
Graphic Designer
Efficiently conveyed candidate messaging with thoughtful and engaging direct mail designs at a fast-paced campaign strategy firm. Adapted design styles to reflect consistent candidate identity and ensured the design communicated to specific audiences.
Uhlig LLC
Overland Park, KS
January 2014–April 2020
Vice President – Production
Executed the successful transition of a high dollar acquisition into a working internal department at a fast-paced custom communications company. Hired and trained a new team of designers; modernized all design elements and processes; collaborated with developers and press managers to build the print production workflow.
Supervised a highly-productive team of designers and proofreaders, consistently exceeding tight deadlines every month. Managed the design, production and on-time delivery of hundreds of time-sensitive monthly newsletters and calendars for senior living communities.
Designed seasonally-appropriate InDesign templates, style guides, and editorial schedules for more than 15 corporate clients and 700 individual locations. Regularly communicated with corporate contacts to ensure a consistent brand presence and meet expectations.
Edited and formatted newsletters and calendars using InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. Managed the monthly workflow of the content management system, including submission, proof-reading, content layout, final print deliverable and digital deliverable.
Wrote and maintained InDesign scripts, created asset libraries, and implemented workflow automation tools to reduce redundancy and maximize accuracy and efficiency.
Chosen twice as designer for the annual company-wide gala. Conceptualized and designed all coordinating materials, including invitations, place cards, menus, programs, etc. Selected custom paper stocks and custom finishing processes to elevate the design.
Uhlig LLC
Overland Park, KS
January 2013 – January 2014
Staff Artist and Project Manager
Designed newsletter templates, email artwork, prototypes and wireframes, web design elements, and a suite of branded products for clients.
Project manager for the major redesign of an external facing web store. Collaborated with data managers and software developers to establish a strategic action plan for complete redesign and data restructuring.
Indivisible KC
Kansas City Metro
January 2017 – June 2018
Graphic Designer and Executive Board Member
Designed logo and branding guidelines for local chapter of national organization. Produced regular social media graphics, using calls to action and consistent brand appearance.
Ensured compliance of brand identity by generating customizable event graphics for others to use during rapid-response events. Designed, ordered and distributed branded items, including t-shirts, banners, flyers, and custom event graphics. Managed social media channels and assisted with creation of an online event archive and research hub.
Encouraged constituent engagement with elected officials through event planning, programming, and media relations. Facilitated regular constituent engagement with elected representatives in the third congressional district of Kansas.
Carlson Craft
North Mankato, MN
August 2007 – December 2012
Page Layout Specialist
Formatted templated printed items in a fast-paced, deadline-driven printing company.
Designed printed items including as greeting cards, brochures, posters, event tickets, and wedding invitations using various image source types. Expert level of variable data knowledge for processing direct mail items.
SCMN Pride
Mankato, Minnesota
February 2011 – March 2012
Graphic Designer
Served as lead designer and marketing specialist for a LGBTQ community organization in southern Minnesota. Conceptualized a promotional campaign for a major event. Designed print and social media promotional materials and collateral, including web graphics, event signage, banners, t-shirts, posters, flyers and programs.