Graphic Designer Manager

FLORINDA FRIEND

PACKAGING DESIGN MANAGER

*********@*****.*** 609-***-****

linkedin.com/in/florinda-friend/ www.TheCreativeFriend.com

PROFILE

Design professional with more than 20 years of innovation in the commercial environment, possessing key leadership traits to develop powerful creative brand assets for packaging, promotional tools, product licensing. Set new standards for product development utilizing relationships with distribution partners and other entities to promote mutual strategic goals.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Graphic Design Management

Packaging & Product Design

Formatting & Standards

Project Management

Process Improvement

Cost Reduction & Negotiation

Collaboration & Leadership

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s Degree – Sociology

Rowan University

Associate degree – Pastry Arts

Rowan College at Burlington County

Associate Degree – Graphic Design

Mercer County College

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Graphic Design USA Magazine – Packaging Design Award

Graphic Design USA Magazine –

In-House Packaging Design Award

Craft & Hobby Association – Best Packaging Design Award

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Freelance Packaging Designer, Photo Retoucher 4/2019 to 7/2019

Spirit Halloween/Spencer’s Gifts, Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Draw targeted audiences to client product lines through effective package design encompassing relatable themes, colors, and package sizing. Receive client requirements and translate ideas into tangible models, make alternations based on client branding guidelines, and develop packaging solutions that fit within all client categories and brands. Add photographic elements as needed including color correction, retouching, and formatting to fit package sizing.

Designed style guides for Disney, Netflix, and Sony Pictures licensed products encompassing artwork, fonts, and legal information. Developed design work for Spirit packaging templates and licensor's supplied artwork; managing strict legal guidelines.

Product Development Manager January 2005 to April 2019

CJ Venne, Bristol, PA

Charged with maintaining effective branding strategies for the organization through the development of products and associated creative services among multiple product lines. Created several new product lines using competitive research during conception, scheduled manufacturing and safety testing, designed packaging and developed promotional marketing tools. Brainstormed with executive management on marketing campaign development and proliferated product awareness by coordinating regular trade show attendance.

Streamlined workflow and project management timelines to reduce man-hours; returning annual savings of $60K per year.

Served as chief negotiator with vendors to reduce costs for raw materials.

Utilized graphic design expertise to research and procure graphic production equipment to implement new product line.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, CONTINUED

Packaging / Graphic Designer January 2005 – April 2019

CJ Venne, Bristol, PA

Supported existing and oncoming product lines through key graphic design development to keep brands fresh and foremost in the minds of consumers. Shot and edited products for the company website and marketing materials, supervised artwork production and press approvals before distribution to ensure compliance with branding. Designed custom products for clientele of distributors to prospect new customers and broaden relationships.

Initiated a summer internship program for students of the local vocational high school.

Previous roles and achievements include:

Graphic Designer January 1999 to June 2004

Hawaiian Tropic – Tanning Research Laboratories, Ormond Beach, FL

Design 5 to 10 new products each year for U.S. and Canadian product lines, advertising for national magazines, and art and copy for U.S. and Canadian displays, coupons, brochures, and sweepstakes.

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