Advertising, Communications and Design

VICTORIA CIGAN

289-***-**** • **************@*****.***

victoriacigan.com

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

With almost 10 years in the creative industry,working in diverse fields, being commended for producing high-quality work at an extremely fast pace. I make sure to keep up with relevant industry software and pride myself on never missing a deadline! Although most of my experience in the publishing world, I’m well versed in marketing initiatives, brand standards, social media and production.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

WORK EXPERIENCE

YP NEXTHOME

Art Director/Creative Lead Sept 2014 - Dec 2015

• Optimize the art direction and brand consistency for 63 real estate, renovation and decor magazines per year

• Transform select magazines into interactive digital publications

• Contribute design expertise to the development of digital web platforms

• Work directly with graphic designers, co-ordinators, editors, sales staff and advertisers to deliver quality work within tight deadlines

• Provide support on marketing initiatives and company re-branding THE MAGAZINE Oct 2012 - Feb 2014

Art Director

• Anticipate trends to design shelf selling covers and layout all interior pages including editorial, advertorial, advertisements and activities along with establishing design templates for new/redesigned pages

• Choose the best images by searching stock photography and media press sites and well as sourcing illustrators

• Accountable for all pre and post production including making and sending pdf’s to the printer and checking the colour proofs for accuracy

• Hire, mentor, train and supervise creative team members

• Responsible for the visual appearance of all additional company related marketing and promotions MULTIPLE COMPANIES Sept 2011 - Present

Freelance/Short Term Designer

• Source, manage and coordinate multiple businesses and individuals on temporary projects from concept to completion

• Design corporate identities and corresponding print materials, develop direct mail pieces, coupon promotions and e-blasts

• Organaize and assit with studio and on-location photo shoots

• Source printers for fast, economical, high quality printing and schedule for distribution to 100+ locations across Canada

• Develop story boards for wholesale presentations to nation brands like Costco and Toys R Us

• Examine new store construction outlines to determine how many graphic needs are needed and at what dimensions then create, develop and print posters, fixture toppers and other relevant in-store signage SUNWING TRAVEL GROUP Jan 2008 - Sept 2011

Senior Designer and Production Specialist

• Creative control and development of Signature Vacations ‘Away’ in-fight magazine as well as Summer, Wedding and online brochures

• Brand managment of retail shops through advertising managers and generate sales with advertisements, flyers and p.o.p displays

• Assisted internal sales team with development of promotional materials for trade shows and while on the road

• Adobe Creative Suite - InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Digital Publishing, Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Flash

• Microsoft Office - Powerpoint, Word, Excel

• Color theory, typography and principles of design

• Print production processes and technical requirements

• Digital photography, image retouching and enhancing

• Comfortable in both Mac and PC environments

• Detail oriented, organizational and project managment

• Verbal, written and interpersonal communications

• Gather, interpret and organize information and data

• Communications and PR strategies and the relationship to marketing and sales

• Learning new technologies quickly and up to date with industry trends

• Problem solving, judgement and decision making abilities

• Self-driven, able to work independently and as part of a team SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING DIPLOMA • March 2016

FIRST AID & CPR • Apr 2005, Oct 2015

INTRO TO FASHION • Fall 2008

SMART SERVE • March 2005

SERVICE CERTIFICATE • Summer 2004

• Sent out flyers to agents nationally through email as well as posting them on travel websites to push sales and promotions

• Gathered and converted photos for different mediums using stock photography, imagery from hotel management and on-site photo shoots then organize them in a databank for others to easily access RUBICON PUBLISHING Feb 2006 - Jan 2007

Designer

• Designed multiple publications bi-weekly for youths ages 5 – 17, as well as their corresponding resource guides for teachers

• Created publication covers to entice readership and highlight publications content

• Liaisoned with editors and publishers to ensure the tone of the layout and images correspond with their vision

• Extensive photo research to make certain the best quality images for the best prices were obtained

• Followed pre-press checklists and prefight procedures per each individual printers specific specifications before exporting to PDFs FAMILY COMMUNICATIONS Mar 2005 - Dec 2005

Assistant Art Director

• Designed new editorial layouts for specialty pages to promote further interest within the target audience

• Consulted with sales team to design rate cards and magazine advertisements to generate sales

• Coordinated with wholesalers and picked out dresses to achieve variety and well-timed deliveries for photo shoots

• Sketched out story boards and developed a new way to organize the dresses before a shoot

• Assisted stylist with preparing dresses, accessorizing and dressing models to ensure shoots were completed in a timely manner VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

ORBIT RAILINGS LIMITED Mar 2003 - Present

Designer

• Design company brochure, ads, signage, letterhead and invoices for brand awareness

• Taught brief lessons on Microsoft Word and Excel to ensure professionalism throughout company O.L.M.C. CATHOLIC WOMENS LEAGUE Jan 2003 - Present Communications and Advertising Executive

• Development of promotional materials (tickets, posters and newspaper ads, etc.) for community events and charities

• Add information to community events online calendars EDUCATION

BACHELOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Griffith University Jan 2007 - Nov 2007

• Majors in Communications and Public Relations

• Minor in Contemporary Arts, which included incorporating hand drawings, photography & online art ADVERTISING AND COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA DIPLOMA

Mohawk College Sep 2002 – Apr 2005

• First year media and creative, following two years focusing on creative

• Graduated with honours

OTHER EDUCATION

289-***-**** • **************@*****.***

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