Resumé

Objective
To obtain freelance design projects where I can utilize my abilities through challenging innovative work.

Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York
May 2002

Design Skills
Conceptual skills involving brainstorming, problem solving & concept development. Branding, Package Design, Publication & Editorial Design, Information Design, Digital Retouching and Illustration.

Computer Abilities
PC and MAC Platforms, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Quark Express.

Professional Experience

Art Director
Sterling Innovation, an imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. (Barnes & Noble)
New York, NY
October 2006—Present

Publishing and Package Design:
Responsible for running the art department, managing over 60 titles per season. Directing and overseeing 30 outside freelance designers as well as illustrators and photographers. Keeping all titles on schedule so that they make the printer date and publish on time. Art directed projects based on the needs of Barnes and Noble. Managed Special Sales titles and foreign editions of various titles. Reviewed final files for every title from the freelancers to make necessary file corrections or edits and send to production, printer-ready. Designed covers and interiors for my own set of titles.

Graphic Designer
Running Press Book Publishers (Perseus Books)
Philadelphia, PA
October 2005—October 2006

Publishing and Package Design:
Designed covers, interiors and packaging for consumer books and novelty mini-kit packages from concept through production. Worked with agents, photographers and illustrators. Art-directed illustrators on many projects. Created mechanicals and printer-ready files for every project.

Graphic Designer
Chamberlain Bros., an imprint of Penguin Group USA, Inc.
New York, NY
April 2004—August 2005

Publishing and Package Design:
Designed covers and interiors for consumer books, in both hardcover and paperback editions, ranging from historical to humorous, from concept through production. Also designed multimedia components (CDs and DVDs). Brainstormed new ideas for line of novelty kits, designing the kit box and interior components (book and kit pieces). Developed logos and promotional pieces such as postcards, posters and t-shirts. Experienced working with agents, photographers and illustrators. Oversaw photoshoots and art-directed illustrators on projects. Created mechanicals and printer-ready files for every project.

Graphic Designer
Hans Flink Design, Inc.
New York, NY
September 2002—April 2004

Package Design and Branding:
Created strategic branding and package design solutions for the marketing of consumer products, including new launches and the updating and repositioning of existing brands. Worked with clients, researched, and met the requirements of the project, targeting the consumer audience. Learned the prepress process and created final mechanical files for production. Maintenance/redesign of the HFD website.

Graphic Designer
Genesee Valley Parent Magazine & Rochester Woman Magazine
Pittsford, NY
January 2001—August 2002

Publication Design:
Designed advertisements, layouts & editorial for two monthly magazines. Created promotional pieces, such as posters & signs, editorial calendars and sales materials for sales representatives. Met with clients as well as sales reps to produce exceptional ads. Gained experience dealing with clients and understanding their needs for design, bringing expanded clientele and increased sales to the company. Received gold award for layout design at the 2002 Parenting Publications of America Awards Competition.

Projects by Melissa Gerber

Book Covers
54 Files

Packaging Design
26 Files

Book Interiors
23 Files

Childrens Book Interiors
6 Files

Logos
8 Files

Promotional Design and Business Cards
10 Files

Pharmaceutical Packaging
4 Files