Graphic Designer Professional Experience
Resume:
Denise kubina Graphic designer & Production Artist
Highly-motivated, industrious professional artist with over three decades of experience in both the Chicago and Pittsburgh markets including: graphic design, illustration, project management, and formal lecturing and teaching. Proven collaborator emphasizing motivational leadership and a culture of inclusion. True art and marketing professional with a history of successful project execution and revenue enhancement while exhibiting streamlined processes and attention to detail.
Areas of Expertise include:
Design & Layout
Lecturing & Teaching
Program Leadership
Illustration Artist
Marketing
Project Management
Pre-Press
Production
Professional Experience & Notable Contributions
Valassis, Inc. Coraopolis, PA 2006-2015
Graphic designer & production artist
Creatively produced an average of 50 advertisements per week with a productivity rate of 86% and rework number of 94% while maintaining an average either within or above the company requirements. Co-lead the Missing Children’s Program which was responsible for producing 21 different bilingual advertisements on a monthly basis. Was 1 of only 2 artists nationwide to be recognized by the Valassis Women’s Network of projects for supporting digital or print art. Lead the Healthy Huddle which found creative ways to stay healthy and exercise in the workplace.
Key Achievements:
Co-lead of the “HAVE YOU SEEN ME?” National Program for Missing Children
Produced 21 different bi-lingual templates monthly in this wrap program
3,365 children have been featured on Valassis products which aided in the recovery, through photo distribution programs of 1,940 children
Graphic Designer and Dedicated Custom Artist for Hardee’s, Ryan Homes and Metro PCS east coast advertising
Designed 8-10 advertisements monthly for each account and worked closely with Hardee’s and Ryan Homes corporate leadership to ensure quality assurance and client satisfaction of the products
Production Artist for a huge variety of ads such as; Comcast, Ace Hardware, Pizza Hut, Windows World, Metro PCS,
McDonalds, and Little Caesars
Given client-supplied pdf’s to pre-flight, correct and place high-resolution PDFs in the template for print
Responsible for developing advertisements from scratch and prepare for print
Lead, Valassis Women’s Network
Job Shadow Program in which volunteers instructed associates about the Graphic Design work and position
Operation Courage is Beautiful which raised hundreds of dollars to send personal items to women in Afghanistan
Created print and digital art to be used nationwide
Head, Valassis Wellness Pittsburgh Program
Fostered a healthier company by saving revenue through programs like weekly Healthy Huddles and weight loss events
Special Projects
Blended Solutions National Power Point Presentation – Illustrations demonstrating a strip mall with separate stores and then Valassis housing all new products under one roof
National Platinum Performance Award Nomination – for my presentation art on the 2012 Texas Manager’s Meeting
National Company Welcome Poster – framed and sent for display in Valassis headquarters in Livonia, MI
Kaufmann’s/Macy’s Pittsburgh, PA 1986-1996 & 2003-2005
Freelance Artist, Desktop Publishing, and Event Planner
Downtown Pittsburgh Kaufmann’s – was responsible for design and composition of self-mailer books and photo retouching
Ross Park Kaufmann’s – assisted the general manager with day-to-day activities, planned and executed parties and special events, and performed store intercom commercials and office activities
Responsibilities:
Design and composition of layout presentations in marker
Professionally retouched photography for newspaper and self-mailer advertisements with airbrush
Helped plan activities throughout the year such as holiday events, and new product introduction
Conducted high-energy and exciting intercom commercials throughout the day
Helped plan luncheon/parties for in store guest/clients
Denise Kubina, Page two
Professional Experience Continued
Pittsburgh Plastics Manufacturing Butler, PA 1996-2002
Art Director
Managed art department operations which included design, production and print of photography, marketing and packaging materials for company-produced products like: the Turbie Twist®, Massaging Gel Insoles, SportsGels® and Medical Pads.
Key Achievements:
Created advertising collateral for products such as; Turbie Twist®, Massaging Gel Insoles, SportsGels® and Medical Padsº
Designed and illustrated the Hospital Gel Catalogs which resulted in savings of both revenue and manpower
Conducted photography shoots in-house which again, resulted in significant revenue savings for the company
Responsible for print, pre-press and press checks for company advertisements and product packaging
The Art Institute of New Kensington New Kensington, PA 1991-1996
Instructor
Provided college-level classroom lecturing, instruction, and teaching in the areas of: Design & Composition, Figure Construction, Fashion Illustration, Drawing and Painting, Lettering, Package Design, Cartooning, Perspective, Airbrush, and Color Theory & Portfolio.
Responsibilities:
Provided classroom instruction to students in multiple disciplines in a single classroom
Provided live demonstration and examples of the daily projects for each class
Field trips to Carnegie Museum of Art, Oakland, PA
Conducted 1:1 special instruction for every student daily
Kahn & Associates/D&GG Graphics/Ashley Ltd Pittsburgh, PA & Chicago, IL 1986-1996 & 1981-1986
Freelance and Commercial Artist/Illustrator
Given the responsibility for layout and design, creative ad campaigns, presentation of ads and illustration
Key Achievements:
Was the official illustrator of Wilton® Baking Books while in Chicago
Created ads and campaigns for H.J. Heinz Company
Provided a substantial revenue savings to the company by using illustration instead of photography
Kubina Creatives Pittsburgh, PA 1979-Present
Founder & Director of Entertainment Services
Manage and provide contracted entertainment services and activities including: caricature art, removable airbrush art, and face-painting for corporations in Pittsburgh such as: Highmark, Alcoa, Seven Springs, PNC, Macy’s, Giant Eagle Market District, Oakmont Country Club and the University of Pittsburgh. Kubina Creatives also provides these services for private parties at events such as: Bar Mitzvahs, Birthdays, Holiday’s, Weddings, Picnics, and Promenades.
Key Achievements:
Implemented practices and policies that resulted in significant revenue enhancement
Since 1979, revenue has risen by an average of 10-15% annually as a result of advertising, marketing, and word-of-mouth regarding the quality of services we provide
Provide artistic instruction and knowledge transfer to employees and contractors
As a result of this, my company was able to accept more contracts for services thus increasing revenue
Receive contracts to deliver specialized photography and enhanced advertisements such as: business cards, flyers, and mailings to individuals, businesses, and corporations not only in the Pittsburgh region but nationwide as well
Education
Associate of Science in Desktop Publishing, Dean’s List (1996)
Associate of Science in Graphic Design & Fashion Illustration, Dean’s List (1980)
THE ART INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh, PA
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