SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• 15 Years experience with Adobe Creative Suite, QuarkXpress, and Microsoft Office Suite
• 11 Years experience in Print Production
• 14 Years experience in Product Photography
• Internal point-of-contact for packaging design and product photography
• Proficient experience with use of registered trademark on packaging and print
WORK EXPERIENCE
The Watkins Company, Winona, MN 5/2018-Current
Creative Services Manager
• Responsible for graphic design/layout and print production of various printed materials used to market Watkins products including, but not limited to
packaging, posters, promotional catalogs and related photography direction, as well as other projects as requested.
• Provides direction to internal and/or external resources when working with vendors.
• Completely involved in all phases of projects; responsible for setting department priorities and resolving issues.
• Facilitated the launch of the Watkins Organic Spice line; custom bottle die line, template design, renderings, mock-ups, working with print vendor on label
stock, color standards, and overseeing press production and approvals.
• Demonstrates exceptional customer service skills; for example working with Watkins Internal Sales Team; produced over 500 pre-production mock-up
samples in 2018 to support early product sales.
• Adheres to regalatory standards and practices on packaging design, including Nutritional Fact Panel guidelines, registered trademarks, and logos such as
USDA Organic and NON-GMO Project Verified logos.
J.R. Watkins, Winona, MN 2/2016-5/2018
Production Artist
• Produced accurate, finished artwork for packaging graphics according to approved templates developed by internal and external designers, while
adhering to deadlines.
• Consulted with print vendors to ensure print-ability and accurate execution of files in accordance with industry standards.
• Communicated with print vendors and internal marketing team to obtain technical specifications, secures label/press die lines for placing specs into each
file (slug). Released approved files to appropriate print vendor and approved and/or coordinated approvals of final proof from print vendors. Signed off on
final, printed packaging from internal QA department, noting any print issues and resolving with print vendor.
• Maintained accuracy of over 300 packaging files in food, personal care, home care, and remedies for J.R. Watkins including label template files,
electronically archived label files, die line files, and hard copy files-in a timely manner.
Teakworks4u, Goodson Companies, Winona, MN 4/09-Current
Graphic Designer
• Produce banners, signs, catalogs, posters, brochures, and giveaways for trade show booths.
• Point-of-contact for ordering new product labels and archiving print information.
• Communicate with print vendors for price quotes, turn-around times, sending print ready files, proofing, and approving artwork.
• Worked with external design firm in the creation of the Teakworks4u website by providing the design layout, photos, fonts, and colors.
• Responsible for all photo related work for both print and interactive campaigns.
• Produce the annual catalog (English and Spanish version) which includes updating photos, pricing, copy, and creating print ready files.
• Responsible for growing Teakworks4u’s social media presence using Pinterest, Houzz, and Facebook.
• Maintain and increase monthly sales goals as well as click-thru rates by continually optimizing the website, emails, and social media.
Legends Golf, Inc., Winona, MN 7/07-2/09
Graphic Designer
• Created logos for embroidery using clip art, photos, or original artwork for clients.
• Produced catalogs, hang tags, promotional materials, and prepared files for magazine ads.
• Assisted with photography of images used online and in print.
• Creator of the company logo, stationary, and brand identity.
Target Interactive Marketing, Minneapolis, MN 12/04-4/07
Image Specialist
• Coordinated upcoming selling pages, emails, banners, and circulars on a weekly basis; sent presentational link for president of Target.com to review.
• Worked closely with Web Production Managers, Project Managers, Creative Strategy Managers, Designers, and Web Development Specialists to
update the main selling pages for Target.com on a weekly basis.
• Held vendors accountable for providing style guide compliant images.
• Worked with Merchants and Target Photo Studio to retouch and upload images for Target.com.
• Pulled images from Target.com for Creative Strategy Managers to review.
• Retouched for campaigns such as Isaac Mizrahi, Liz Lange, and GO International for Target.com.
SOFTWARE KNOWLEDGE
• InDesign • QuarkXpress • Acrobat • Illustrator • Dreamweaver • Wordpress
• Microsoft Office Suite • Adobe Lightroom • Adobe Photoshop
EDUCATION
The Art Institutes International Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 10/01-3/05
Bachelor of Science Degree in Graphic Design
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Western Technical College, La Crosse, WI 8/08-12/08
A Credited Web Design Course
AWARDS
The Watkins Way Award 12/2018 & 6/2017
Great Lakes Graphics Association
2013 Award of Excellence for Teakworks4u Catalog