Sales Marketing

RENEE CARLSON

Graphic Designer

email: *************@*****.*** website: www.wix.com/reneefcarlson/website

A Rare Combination of Creativity and Productivity

Imagination, Innovation, Visual Solutions & Creative Skills

With multiple years in graphic design in fast-paced environments, I combine a profound creative vision with a relentless commitment to productivity and timeliness. As evidenced by my extensive portfolio, I possess comprehensive skills in design, advertising, marketing, web, photography, and print, with deep technical skills in all the drawing and image processing tools of the trade. I bring creative and innovative ideas and strong organizational and motivational skills to every project, and can successfully carry out any project from concept to design, completely through all production stages to achieve a high-quality, high-impact finished product. Please contact me to discuss how my creative talents can help your organization succeed.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Brand Steward: Complete Responsibility for All Market-Facing Sales and Marketing Materials for $8OM Software Company

• Designed and Implemented Corporate Brand Identity Four Different Times

• Designed, Developed, and Produced Numerous Multi-Channel Advertising Campaigns

• Supported User Interface Design for All Products Teams

• Consistently Managed Multiple Projects with Multiple Teams Under Tight Deadlines

• Developed Microsoft Tag Advertising

• Created Corporate Infographics for Customer Download

• Provided Optimized Web Graphics for Programmers

• Produced Creative HTML Advertisements/E-mail Campaigns

• Managed Staff Production Artists of 8 for a Small Ad Agency/Performed Annual Reviews

SKILLS:

• High Level of Proficiency in CS5

• Web-Optimized Design & Production for Promotions (UI Banners, Email Blasts)

• Proficient in Online and Print Advertising: Trade Show Signs,

Interior & Exterior Signage, Corporate Identity Packages,

Banners, Brochures, Handouts, Flyers, Invitations, etc.

• Experienced with Collaborating and Interacting with Vendors,

Printers and/or Other Contractors to Assist in Gathering Bids

• Proficient in Conceptualizing Specialty Logos, Brand Identify and Icons

• Current with Web Design Trends and Best Practices

• Agency Experience

• Strong Working Knowledge of Pre-Press and 4/C process / Press Checks

• Design and Manage Product Photo Shoots

• Strong Experience with Manipulating, Resizing and Optimizing Digital Photos

• Detail Oriented with Excellent Organization and Communication Skills

• Ability to Work Well Under Tight Deadlines

• Proficient in Creating Visually Compelling Presentations in Powerpoint

• Multi-Task Oriented and a Team Player

SOFTWARE:

• Adobe CS5: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Acrobat

• PC/Mac Platforms

• Quark Xpress

• Pagemaker

• Freehand

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel

• HTML

• FTP

• Xara 3D

• Manticore Marketing Automation Suite / Google Analytics

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Company: FREELANCE ARTIST (Self-Contractor)

Duration: February 2011 - Current

Title: Creative Director

Company: ESCALATE RETAIL (formerly GENERAL ELECTRIC Retail Systems) San Diego, CA

Duration: January 2000 – February 2011

Title: Sr. Graphic Designer

Responsibilities:

Manage the Art Department of an $80M software company, serving as an integral member of the Enterprise Marketing Team with full responsibility for corporate identity. Responsible for managing multiple concurrent projects with tight deadlines to execute the design, development and production of all marketing materials, sales collateral, advertising campaigns, web campaigns, and trade show event display graphics. Relied upon my acute attention to detail to manage the entire creative life cycle, including requirements, definition, budget constraints, approval and production processes.

• Creative director and production coordinator for all marketing campaigns (digital, paper, web), display advertising, and digital advertising

• Creative director and production coordinator for all event-related materials, including trade show booth graphics, sales collateral, posters, and cooperative branding projects

• Support creative design, production and execution of sales documents, including RFP's, PowerPoint presentations, and proposals

• Maintain strong relationships with all vendors and publications to ensure collaborative, timely and cost-effective production and distribution of all marketing materials

• Developed strong expert skills in Adobe CS5 Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver etc.) as well as Quark, Pagemaker, Microsoft Office Suite, etc.

• Manage development, and production of on-staff artists as well as manage freelance contributors

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Company: UPS STORE (formerly MAIL BOXES ETC. HEADQUARTERS) San Diego, CA

Duration: April 1998 - January 2000

Title: Sr. Graphic Designer

Responsibilities:

Managed MBE Marketing Art Department, delegated assignments to other artists, supervised and determined appropriate designs for other departmental communications.

• Researched, developed, and executed concepts for collateral and web projects, presentation graphics, IBM Program forms, charts, etc.

• Team member of Creative Services Department, working with Managers and Directors. Interdepartmental contacts with clients to discuss projects

• Worked directly with Franchises to assist with in-store graphics

• Coordinated photo shoots

• Worked with service bureaus, printers and other vendors to coordinate file out-put, schedule job pick-up and delivery of supplies/materials

• Researched latest software programs, attended seminars to assure the best performance and suggest purchases based on needs and budget considerations

• Responsible for integrity and quality of all departmental jobs, assist and review work of other designers

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Company: IMAGE ONE ADVERTISING AGENCY, San Diego, CA

Duration: June 1992 - April 1998

Title: Art Director

Responsibilities:

Managed and directed a five person Art Department, including scheduling and quality assurance of all work performed within the department.

Designed and produced promotional brochures and coordinated advertisements for a vast range of clients in various industries, utilizing high-end digital photography

• Responsible for complete design, production and updating all company brochures and catalogs

• Developed software techniques applicable for specific design needs and maintain complete working knowledge of design software and the latest electronic out-put and storage device

• Worked closely with sales staff and clients to assure effective development of projects

• Coordinated photo assignments, assisted in complete staff organization, and provided ongoing and effective workflow methods

EDUCATION:

B.A. Degree: Graphic Arts Fresno State University, Fresno, CA 1982-1984

A.A. Degree: Graphic Design Fresno City College, Fresno, CA 1980-1982

Dean’s List for Outstanding Academic Achievement (twice) Fresno State University, Fresno, CA

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES:

Dave Bruno, Director Product Marketing., RedPrairie 760-***-****

Darryl Gordon, Vice President Marketing, Enviance 858-***-****

Barbara Blom, Art Director, Creative Solutions 951-***-****

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:

“As Director of Marketing for an $8OM software business, I have worked with Renee Carlson for eleven years and as such I present this letter as a personal recommendation of her capabilities in the field of graphic design.

Renee represents a combination of talent, organizational skills, and productivity seldom seen today in the creative workforce. While she certainly has a tremendous eye for high-impact composition and design honed by her 25+ year experience in the field, it is her tenacious commitment to on-budget, on-time completion of her projects that truly sets her apart.

In our eleven years together, Renee has successfully executed countless projects, from initial concept development through to approval, production, and delivery. Her portfolio of creative and compelling work includes display advertising campaigns, digital advertising campaigns, sales collateral (digital and print), eBooks, e-Mail development, web work, complete trade show design from booth design to graphics to marketing campaigns and collateral, white papers, custom proposal templates, and many more.

Renee manages vendor relationships and has always had a great talent for negotiating highly competitive rates and her commitment to strong relationships with her vendors always ensured they could accommodate last-minute requests - at a fair price. Internally, Renee always finds a way to say “yes” to help any of her numerous customers, and her talents and willingness to help others complete their projects is widely acknowledged and greatly appreciated. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Renee and highly recommend her.”

Dave Bruno

Director of Marketing, Red Prairie (formerly Escalate Retail & General Electric Retail Systems)

mailto:******@********.*** or mailto:****.*****@**********.***

Managed Renee at Escalate Retail & General Electric Retail Systems (now Red Prairie)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Renee’s skills are enriched by her strong ability to strategically focus on business, ask the right questions, deliver engaging marketing materials and her vast knowledge of graphic design. Her charm, enthusiasm and wit are qualities (that together with her strive for perfection) supplement her strong work ethic. She is one of the most motivated designers with whom I have worked, and I would have no hesitation to recommend Renee.”

Darryl Gordon

Director of Marketing, Enviance

Former Director of Marketing, Mail Boxes Etc., (now UPS Store)

mailto:*******@********.***

Managed Renee at Mail Boxes Etc. HQ (now the UPS Store)

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