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General info

San Francisco, CA

As a graphic artist with over 12 years experience, I have worked on projects ranging from logo design to creating promotional materials for a business to full blown marketing and collateral presentations. I have realized the value of communication in translating a clients ideas into a visual product. I have extensive background in the following:

• Managing design projects across cross-functional teams
• Managing complete production cycles and monthly business rhythms
• Applying graphic design principles and processes to both print and web projects
• Creating and producing vector-based computer illustration graphics
• Designing and creating layouts and compositions for on-screen presentation and print material
• Creating and producing digital video for delivery in multimedia projects
• Integrating multiple forms of digital media to be displayed using various delivery mediums

Before obtaining formal education in the design field, I worked with many non-profit organizations and since receiving my degree in 2000 have worked for such well known companies as Cisco Systems, Apple Computers and Hewlett Packard. I currently hold the position of Visual Designer at Advance Auto Parts on their e-commerce team based in Campbell, CA
I would welcome the chance to apply the skills and knowledge I have gained to a position as a Lead or Senior Visual on a short or long term project


4082305526 mobile

Skillset


  • Software

    Adobe Illustrator (Advanced)
    Adboe Dreamweaver (Advanced)
    Adobe Photoshop (Advanced)
    Adobe Fireworks (Advanced)
    Microsoft Office (Advanced)
    Macromedia Freehand (Advanced)
    Macromedia Flash (Intermediate)
    Adobe Premiere (Intermediate)


  • Programming Languages

    HTML (Advanced)
    CSS (Intermediate/Advance)
    Javascript (Intermediate)


  • Other Skills

    Project Management

Long Term / Full time Projects

  • V isual Designer
    Campbell, CA
    Sep 2009 - Present
    Advance Auto Parts

    Created visual designs for online customer experiences including graphics, animation and functionality

    Developed page wireframes and online designs, user interface graphics, icons, color schemes for new and recurring web projects

    Designed and developed online marketing material including banner advertising, email and other online media

    Practiced user centered design principles and processes

    Using Flash and Javascript, created engaging interactive online customer experiences.

    Performed basic development and maintenance programming for web pages and web applications

    Maintained working knowledge and functional expertise in online interactive software and tools while staying current on changing technical parameters effecting design decisions

    Aligned online promotional creative development with the enterprise business rhythm

    Helped to implement a method of testing, measuring and improving creative effectiveness

    Assumed responsibility for production and design of all online only promotions, with design direction from Sr. Visual Designer

    Assumed responsibility for production of non promotional email elements based on existing templates

    Completed initial standards document and circulated to appropriate team members

    Worked with a cross functional team to resolve all tool/system problems as they arose

    Developed a plan for content retirement in publishing systems

  • Owner/ Lead Developer
    San Jose, CA
    Jan 1998 - Mar 2008
    Starweaver Creations

    Obtained clients through one on one interaction.

    Helped set and implement web standards for various small companies around the state of California.

    Was lead designer for the company, which consisted of all aspects of design and implementation of customer specifications using the most current technologies.

    Led instructor based seminars throughout Northern California

    Created computer based educational seminars in the areas of graphic and web development, technical writing and general office skills.

  • Web Developer
    Newark, CA
    Mar 2008 - Sep 2009
    WORLDPAC

    Worked closely with internal customers at the design stage and finding the answers to questions about why the site is needed

    Developed and managed internal projects such as intranet projects as well as external projects like product microsites, promotional materials and new tools, managing the IT, marketing and creative teams to produce the final project.

    Worked alongside our QA department to test the site for functionality in different browsers and at different resolutions

    Created design prototypes, including graphic design, site navigation, and layout of content, for the main university web site and for department websites.

    Ensured that the layout of the content is accessible and logical; recommended improvements if necessary.

    Created visual concepts that match the content and the image wanted by internal clients but that fit in the company’s global image

    Built websites using technologies that conform to international standards and made sure that were are universally accessible.

    Performed maintenance and updates to existing websites when requested by clients.

    Contributed to the overall development of the E-Services group and of the website.

  • Graphic Design Instructor
    San Jose, CA
    May 2001 - Mar 2003
    Silicon Valley College

    Taught material from approved curriculum in accordance with assigned schedule.

    Developed daily lesson plans to include instructional aids.

    Exercised effective classroom management to create a positive learning environment.

    Motivated students to actively participate in class discussions and demonstrations.

    Provided assistance to students who required special attention through tutorial assistance to advisement on school regulations and class schedules.

    Maintained expertise in current subject matter.

    Gave input to the director of the department regarding industry trends, curriculum, equipment changes and enhancements.

  • Web Consultant
    San Jose, CA
    Dec 2000 - Feb 2001
    Cisco Systems

    Was in charge of web analysis of all content on the Internet Business Solutions Group intranet site for conversion into a new content management system.

    Was also a developer for content on the group intranet site, which consisted of designing and implementing WebPages with specified content.

  • Web Development Assistant
    San Jose, CA
    Jun 2000 - Dec 2000
    Price Radar

    Assisted the Web and Content teams in managing and maintaining site content.

    Assisted in continually improve the accuracy of the PriceRadar.com taxonomy and pricing system through keyword classification.

    Was in charge of the timely production and error-free content of the weekly newsletter as well as the HTML paste-up and editing of the Weekly Dish, PriceRadar's online newsletter

    Was in charge of website file maintenance and assisted in the ongoing layout and designof the website.

Contract and Consulting Work


  • Filemaker

    In charge of producing clean HTML content for the launches of both the Filemaker Business Alliance and the Filemaker Technical Network . Completed work ahead of schedule and helped with pages on the new product launch


  • Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati

    While looking for a permanent employee to fill a vacated position, I assisted with corporate communications of primarily a web nature and also coordinated vendors for print projects completed press checks and other assigned duties


  • Kensington

    Temporary web production work while permanent employee was on vacation


  • Bridges to Leadership

    Complete corporate identity design, including logo, website and marketing materials. Work on an ongoing basis for updates and materials as needed by client


  • Riverview Systems Group

    Assist Riverview with design projects for various clients, which mainly consists of powerpoint presentations and interaction with clients regarding design. Also consulted with on site employees regarding current website design and implementation


  • Burning Man

    Coordinated production of the On The Playa section pages as well as assisted in the overall design and production of the Burningman.com website


  • Countryside Candle

    Complete corporate identity design, including logo, website and marketing materials.


  • Lightning Lingerie

    Complete corporate identity design, including logo, website and marketing materials.

Education

  • Human Services Counseling Emphasis
    Belmont, CA
    May 2007 - May 2010
    Notre Dame De Namur University

    Human Services Degree with an Emphasis in Counseling and an Emphasis in Administration

  • AAS Multimedia Design and Implementation
    San Jose CA
    Jan 1999 - Jun 2000
    Masters Insitute

    Completed an 18 month education program in 13 months with a 3.5 grade point average

References (via LinkedIn)


  • Nicole Maron , User Experience Co-Lead, Burning Man, LLC

    “Catherine is a talented, imaginative, responsible developer who excels in a variety of project environments. As a Section Lead on the Burning Man Web Team, she brings all the seriousness and accountability of a paid employee to a volunteer environment. When I was co-manager of her team, she brought a great attitude and solution-oriented thinking, even while constrained by a less-than-ideal legacy system. She was and is one of the most trusted remote team members, able to self-start -- and more importantly, self-finish -- projects to spec either alone or in a team. I would jump at the chance to work with her again.”


  • Allan Lamberti , Director of Sales & Service, TOA Electronics, Inc

    “Catherine is creative, bright, and always ready to tackle new challenges. Her positive attitude made it a pleasure to have her on our team.”


  • Ceci Powell , Web Managing Editor, FileMaker, Inc

    “I highly recommend Catherine! She has an excellent, comprehensive knowledge of web design, development, production, and the workflow processes needed to successfully create and maintain any kind of websites. She made excellent suggestions for streamlining our development and production processes when appropriate, and worked well with everyone. In addition to developing web pages, Catherine can QA her own work quite well, and while at FileMaker, she corrected typos and grammatical errors in the copy provided by our content providers. This is quite a valuable skill, particularly among web developers. Catherine has several qualities I really value in a colleague—she is calm under pressure and is willing to go the extra mile when necessary, whether it’s staying late, coming in early, or helping someone else with their job. If we had had an open position on our team, I would have hired Catherine immediately. She is terrific to work with!”


  • Georgene Waterman, CEO Bridges to Leadership

    “We asked Catherine for something unique and memorable and that is what we received. We found Catherine to be a very creative designer who demonstrated a keen sense of our business needs. She helped represent our business with a web presence that tells our clients we add value to whatever they purchase from us. It is evident that Catherine is an experienced designer with years of results oriented work under her belt. We highly recommend her.”


  • Joe Decker , Owner, Rock Slide Photography

    “Catherine was great to work with at Calypso, she often anticipated needs in my own business I didn't know I had, supported by her keen artistic and technical understanding of digital imaging. Moreover, she always brought a friendly, professional demeanor to her work, I always looked forward to working with her.”


  • Kelly Zelnio , graphics instructor, Silicon Valley College

    “Catherine and I were both instructors at Silicon Valley College. She is a hard worker, willing to put in extra effort on the job. She gets along well with others and is equally capable working in a group as she is alone. She is extremely well-versed in her field and is a great person with whom to work.”


  • Melissa Winship, Student - Silicon Valley College

    "Catherine was a fantastic instructor and was always supportive of my endeavors. My experience with her will always be one of my fondest memories. She helped guide me towards my goals and I am now enjoying the fruits of my labor."


  • Lukasz Pason , Student, Silicon Valley College

    “Catherine's wealth of knowledge in design is inspirational and intellectual. Her design eye gave me creative direction and the drive to further my studies in skills in Graphic Design.”

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