Coroflot

Resume

Jean U. Assell
Award Winning Graphic Designer, Photographer and Illustrator
904 Dry Valley Court
Villa Hills, KY 41017
513-255-4710 • jeanassell@yahoo.com

View My Professional Portfolio www.coroflot.com/jeanassell
Photography and Illustration Portfolio www.istockphoto.com/jeanursula

Career Focus and Profile

Creative, enjoys and takes ownership of design process from concept to finished product - design skills in marketing, advertising and packaging departments. Trustworthy, invites and accepts progressive
responsibilities easily - eye for details, attention to deadlines and client specifications - over 13 years experience. Effective communicator, brings high enthusiasm to projects by inviting collaboration across cross-functional teams - considered resource person for ideas in each position.

Professional Experience and Accomplishments

Graphic Designer - The Drees Company
Fort Mitchell, Kentucky 2007 - 2009

Worked at the direction of the Art Director to execute the design, layout, and production of marketing collaterals at the request of the Marketing Coordinators and Marketing Directors. Maintain company graphic standards. Communicate progress on assigned work orders. Enhance and improve the marketing and promotional needs of
all divisions.

Responsible for the design, layout, and production of all advertising and promotional requests received from the Art Director. Create advertising and promotional materials in a creative and timely manner. Including, but not limited to: Ads, Direct Mail Pieces, Promotional Flyers, Invitations, Plat Handouts/Dioramas, Signage, Sales Office Displays, Web Graphics, Location Maps, Brochures, Folders, Logos, Promotional Items, Newsletters, Corporate Identity Pieces (Business Cards/Envelopes/Letterhead), and Warranty Kits.

Responsible for communicating with Marketing Directors/Coordinators regarding work orders, request process, and final approvals. Ensure that the Art Director has proofed all jobs before going out for approval. Also, ensure that a written approval is received (from Division or Marketing Director/Coordinator) before any job is sent out for production. Maintain the graphic standards throughout each division/region for all items ordered. Code and check costs on invoices for the work they originate. Cross-reference price sheets/quotes to ensure invoices are accurate.

Daily Responsibilities - Prioritizing jobs, update job schedule, maintain electronic archive, maintain photo library

Weekly Responsibilities - Attend design team meeting and up-load electronic graphics

Additional Responsibilities - Plan and art direct photo shoots, research/quote projects as needed, attend press checks, coordinate and schedule sales office setups, travel as needed , attend brainstorming sessions, design team activities, and field trips/meetings, keep abreast on design trends

Rock Star Sales Contest - Created, produced and starred in a company wide sales contest video. Filmed on location in mansions throughout Northern Kentucky.

Photographer and Illustrator - iStock Photo
2008 - Present

Exclusive Artist contributor to the highly coveted online community of stock photography, illustrations, video and audio, iStockPhoto.com. Continually creates and sells high-end photos and creates illustrations as well. Several photos have been selected for publications such as Disney, travel and Cincinnati books. Portfolio www.istockphoto.com/jeanursula

Graphic Designer, Sallie Mae
Cincinnati, Ohio 2005 – 2007

Developed and created design and layout solutions using skills in creativity and attention to typography. Skills - understand client specifications, contribute ideas and prepare advertising materials. Results - consistently produced cost-effective and high quality customized communications for clients, resulting in building loyalty and repeat business.

Managed multiple projects competently by monitoring production and printing deadlines. Skills - facilitate communication with client and sales force, ensure uniformity in style, design and layout of materials and maintain records of project. Results - successfully built brand awareness to meet business objectives of client - researched and redesigned logo for Queen City Foundation to use on all promotional materials.

Coordinated all marketing materials for special events - conference event for Ohio Association of Community Colleges and 25th Anniversary celebrations for Student Loan Funding. Skills - create invitations, design t-shirts, prepare conference packets including icebreaker games for participants. Results - exceptional attention to details with superior customer service to internal and external clients - conference attendance 400-500 participants.

Graphic Designer and Renderer, Marathon Petroleum Company (Engineering and Architecture Department)
Findlay, Ohio 1997 – 2005

Developed architectural renderings of Speedway SuperAmerica and Marathon Service Stations. Skills - draw rough sketches, show attributes of proposed buildings accurately and use technology to present high-end graphics and visual images. Results - high ability to generate images from ideas and models to immediately meet business needs such as zoning proposals.

Used and learned new technology as needed to prepare presentations and train architects and engineers how to track projects. Skills - understand audience needs, explain concepts and answer questions promptly and modify content as required to fit training goals. Results - enjoy and accept projects requiring learning new materials and technology.

Volunteer Design Work

• Northern Kentucky Home Builders Association
• Findlay-Hancock County Public Library
• The Queen City Foundation
• East-Harbor Beach Aid Foundation

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication, University of Findlay
Findlay, Ohio 2003
Kent State University - Visual Communication Program

Awards

• 3 photos featured in the book Capture Cincinnati 2009
• Designer Spotlight iStock Photo
• Map photography featured in various travel websites
• Photography featured in the book “The Color Companion to Walt Disney World”

Computer Skills

High level of proficiency on Macintosh and PC platforms with experience using the following programs:
Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat, QuarkXpress, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Stuff-It Deluxe, Toast Titanium, Flash, Groupwise, Outlook and Suitcase