Steven Cole: Senior Graphic Designer in Woodstock, GA

Senior Graphic Designer | Contractor | Atlanta, GA | Sept. 2013 – present Accepting long and short-term contracts with design firms and in-house corporate agencies, as well as being retained for project specific work from various media and manufacturing outlets. Contracted assignments and duties include: •NCR – Comprehend the graphics needs of internal clients from the hospitality, retail and financial divisions of this (130 year old) computer hardware, software and electronics corporation. Efforts are requested via a creative brief and tracked through a project management software, reviewed by the art director for brand compliance and consist of: 1. Event/trade show packages that include large format signage, printed giveaway items, key cards, award certificates, publication ads, e-blast and direct mail designs announcing the event and locations. 2. Sales collateral in the form of product data sheets, brochures and white paper ads 3. Assisting with corporate website by providing specific formatted designs/templates and illustrated icons. •Duffey Communications – Collaborate with marketing and project management staff on designing and producing environment graphics for their client’s (Irisys) trade show exhibit that attends events in the U.S. and throughout Europe. •Cumming Corporation – Assist marketing director with multiple events and B2B advertising. Graphic needs consist of digital presentations that include new marketing campaigns, 3D modeling, graphic design, as well as updating brand guidelines and pre-flight all approved graphics for production. •Awnex Inc, ROI Design, Vector Displays, AutoTrader.com – Are a group of company’s that utilize my skills on short term contracts and for various graphic and marketing needs from 3D modeled exhibits and architectural renderings, to technical illustration, photo manipulation, instructional design, environment graphics, and presentations.

Compile raw data from sales and project management staff and then transform the information graphic sales presentations for audience related meetings (PowerPoint), email campaigns, website and social media, as well as direct mail, flyers and large format trade show graphics. These efforts target the quick service restaurant (QSR) and retail industries and include written copy, photography, technical illustrations, and 3D models of company manufactured products that are highlighted on customer projects. These efforts successfully generated revenue from new clients that represent major brands such as: Starbucks, Taco Bell, Dunkin Donuts and Burger King. Other design and production duties consist of designing architectural signage in the form of wayfinding directories and monuments, trade show exhibits and event collateral packages, video reformatting, and publication ad layouts.

Provide design, production and marketing services in multiple formats and applications for various marketing agencies, exhibit houses, image bureaus and privateers of all types. Skills and services range from the designing of direct mail, publication ads, brochures, company press packages, corporate branding, P.O.P design/graphics, event promotions, photo retouching, website content, technical illustration, 3D modeling, as well as the design and production of indoor/outdoor custom signs, banners and vehicle graphics. During this time, projects were completed for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Autotrader.com, Four Seasons Hotels in Chicago and Cumming Contractors

Assist over 53 marketing consultants within the metropolitan Atlanta area and Chicago with presentations by designing specific artwork (product information, tag lines and imagery) geared to generate new clients and profits. Projects consist of mostly direct mail, directory and special promotions advertising. Additional responsibilities include pre-flight of final art, client consultations, identifying and reporting specific strategies and creating seasonal campaigns ahead of schedule.

Support fifteen market managers of outdoor advertising in five states, by managing their clients needs, providing customer specific art for sales calls, and updating the progress on all jobs. Interact with the customer by completing a creative brief to ensure all details are comprehended and utilized for maximum exposure. Supervise freelance artist during high volume periods. Create brand specific layouts for LED boards, so that certain customers are allowed to showcase multiple products during daily/weekly segments. Write copy and tag lines for product descriptions. Design Olympus corporate collateral material and update the company website through HTML and CSS effiorts periodically.

Oversee the design, pre-flight and production of graphics from conception to completion. Scope of work includes but is not limited to: trade show display / environment packages, vehicle wraps, point of purchase displays, retail packaging, and retail signage for many high profile organizations. With every job comes the responsibility to assist in all facets of estimating production time, material cost, maintaining brand compliance and aiding clients by gathering or creating production ready art and other resources needed for turn-key results.

Oversee the implementation of the Alpharetta office’s first digital graphics production department. The initial project was accomplished through research, adhering to a launch budget and my previous experience in trade show graphic design and production (Derse Exhibits and Trade show Network). Upon the department becoming fully operational, guidelines are put in place to manage the branding standards of many high profile corporations that would exhibit at trade show and various other events. Success was attained with good graphic design practices, meticulous pre-flight details for production art, extensive color management with equipment, proper material procurement, and close supervision of graphic and non-graphic personnel with the finished products.

Provide design and production in multiple formats and applications for various exhibit houses, image bureaus and privateers of all types. Skills and services ranging from photo retouching and restoration, to the designing of logos, print adds, brochures, company press packages, websites, as well as the production and application of indoor/outdoor custom signs, banners and vehicle graphics. Assist customers with visual and oral presentations for their prospective clients to ensure that the most cost efficient and visually effective graphics will be produced.

In charge of outsourcing as well as in house production of all graphics for the Atlanta branch. Duties consisted of researching, compiling, and analyzing information and pricing required to develop the most cost effective and time sensitive procedures for designing and producing graphics for the customer. Worked closely and in conjunction with outside vendors and other branch locations across the nation. In house duties required reorganization of file layouts, onsite graphic installation, proofing, and the overseeing of the graphics inventory management system.