Graphic Design Vice President
Resume:
Freedom Graphic Systems · Aurora, IL (**/**** - present)
Director of Creative and Marketing
Responsibilities include all aspects of Creative and Marketing, including graphic design, copywriting/editing, and production coordination of marketing materials for trade shows and promotional purposes; format analysis and design for traditional inline/offline print/lettershop and digital production; expert knowledge of manufacturing platforms and USPS regulations; fabrication of color comps, paper mockups, press layouts, and art templates; creation of digital format libraries; product photography; collaboration with manufacturing, vendors and customers; printed sample inventory and distribution; design and content of company’s quarterly newsletter; website content and maintenance; executive proofreading/editing; award submissions; published industry articles.
Lehigh Direct · Broadview, IL (3/2012 - 12/2012)
Vice President, Client Services
Responsibilities included overseeing 16 employees within the departments of Product Development, Customer Service, Sales Service, and Postal Service; development of internal marketing strategy and branding including graphic design and advertising; implementation of electronic format layout system streamlining job development process between multiple departments; introduction of advanced techniques for creative format production; devel- opment of tracking system for postal format approval with the USPS-PCSC; participation at daily scheduling/management meetings and annual DMA trade show; interviewing potential sales candidates; providing orientation for new employees. RR Donnelley - Response Marketing Services · Downers Grove, IL (1/2007 - 3/2012) Creative Development Supervisor
Responsibilities included hiring/training/managing staff designers; designing format layouts, paper mockups, and production templates representing the capabilities of six direct mail production facilities; educating 25 staff designers and estimators regarding the functions of our print sector and USPS standards for direct mail through the development of a Manufac- turing Specifications Manual; assisting with training seminars for new sales executives. Banta Direct Marketing Group · Elk Grove Village, IL (5/1996 - 1/2007 when company was purchased by RR Donnelley)
Creative Services Manager
Responsibilities included hiring/training/managing staff designers; measuring for continuous improvement through the collection, analysis, and reporting of statistical data related to production volumes; designing unique and efficient formats for direct mail (paper mockups, color comps, and production templates); providing graphic design for promotional materials. RR Donnelley - Specialty Products Division/Tech Web · Wheeling, IL (9/1992 - 5/1996) Senior Creative Coordinator
Responsibilities included project management and development of unique formats for direct mail; all in-house promotional advertising and graphic design; collaboration with various departments throughout the company on a daily basis. Sir Speedy Printing · Buffalo Grove, IL (6/1991 - 7/1992) Art Director
Responsibilities included all aspects of prepress production, including graphic design and consultation, typesetting, paste-up, operation of photostat camera, and stripping of negatives. Designs included identity systems/logos, newsletters, brochures, business forms, resumes, menus, invitations, direct mail, and advertisements. Richardson Electronics · LaFox, IL (11/1990 - 6/1991) Graphic Designer
Responsibilities included the design of tradeshow logos, pricelists, catalogs, brochures, product specification sheets, direct mail, training manuals, employee handbook, and the company’s bi-monthly newsletter.
Skilled in graphic design, direct
mail format design and production,
creative writing, corporate marketing
and communication, leadership/
teambuilding and coaching.
Mac and PC platforms/programs:
Adobe CS (InDesign, Illustrator,
Photoshop, Acrobat); MS Office
(Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook);
WordPress; SharePoint; Macromedia
Freehand; Quark Xpress; various color
laser copiers and large format plotters.
Interests include package design,
drawing, painting, photography,
cinematography, screenwriting,
animation, yoga, and coaching youth
sports (basketball and cheerleading).
Northwestern University
Kellogg School of Management
Product Design and Development
Certificate (2007)
Dale Carnegie
Leadership Training for Managers (1999)
University of Illinois at Urbana/
Champaign · BFA Graphic Design (1990)
Emphasis in graphic design, art history,
and cinematography; Member of
Marching Illini and Basketball Band.
Warsaw Academy of Fine Art
Study Abroad Program in Poland (1988)
Emphasis in graphic design, industrial
design, sculpture, drawing, and painting.
Co-inventor of US Patent
#US20060049069A1/US7721943B2
Two-Way Electronic Media Mailer.
Author of articles for Printing Impres-
sions magazine (piworld.com), Target
Marketing magazine, and Freedom’s
website (fgs.com/new-resources).
LAURA L. HELFERS
646 Hawley Dr.
Oswego, IL 60543
********@***.***
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
PATENTS & PUBLICATIONS
SKILLS & INTERESTS
EDUCATION & TRAINING
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