Experience

Art Director for Rider Magazine, GS Media and Events

January 2012 – Present

• Responsible for leading the design, photo direction, illustration, layout and production of the Rider brand, including the magazine, website and social media

• Led the creative team in the conversion from QuarkXpress to InDesign CS5 software within the first two months of employment

• Redesigned and condensed the digital media kit to help give sales representatives a more concise and reader-friendly informational tool for their clients

• Created and designed print and online advertisements, posters and banners for consumer shows put on by the company

• In the process of re-imaging the magazine design to better serve the readers, subscribers and advertisers in the rapidly changing publication industry

Front page designer, St. Paul Pioneer Press

April 2005 – Present

• Create award-winning daily and Sunday front pages that illustrate the newspaper’s high standard of journalism

• Key contributor to redesign in May 2008, which includes innovative methods and ideologies of presenting news in a challenging and changing industry

• Collaborate with editors, writers, graphic artists and photographers in different forms of storytelling

• Take active and occasional leadership role in special projects, requiring technical skills and delegation of responsibilities

Freelance Graphic Designer and consultant

2011 – Present

• Consult in the brand development for small business and nonprofit organizations

• Design brochures, posters, handouts, advertisements and logos

• Provide strategies and generate new ideas using visual communications.

Sports visual journalist, The Times of Northwest Indiana

November 2002 – April 2005

• Designed the sports and special sections for an award-winning daily newspaper

• Developed sports section logo style for award-winning redesign

• Investigated and shared industry trends and ideas with colleagues in the industry

Sports visual journalist/copy editor, La Crosse Tribune
(La Crosse, WI), Winona Daily News (Winona, MN)

May 1998 – November 2002

• Designed, edited and reported for award-winning sports sections

• Coordinated special sections by collaborating with editors, staff writers, advertisers, college sports information departments, newspapers and other athletic organizations

• Worked with editorial staff to develop accuracy and correction policy

• Designed and reported for newspaper-generated golf magazine in conjunction with successful three-day golf expo for area and state businesses

• Redesigned Daily News sports section when newspaper converted to QuarkXPress pagination system

Sports Editor, The Oconomowoc Enterprise

February 1998 – May 1998

• Managed two-person staff for weekly sports section

• Teamed with local radio station to publicize local and community sporting events on air and in print

Sports Editor, Reedsburg Times Press/
Wisconsin Dells Events

December 1996 – May 1998

• Accountable for all production of two twice-weekly sports sections

• Became proficient in writing, reporting, photography and design

• Developed time management and organization skills