Anne Larkina

Hanes Brands, Inc. ~ Gear for Sports division
January 2006 – Present (8 years 2 months)Lenexa, KS
Creative Graphic Designer Aug 2013 to present
External Lead Senior Artist: Oct 2012 to Aug 2013
Senior Graphic Artist: May 2010 to Oct 2012
Screen Print Graphic Artist II (April 2009-May 2010)
Embroidery Art Prep Artist II (October 2008-April 2009)
Screen Print Graphic Artist I and II (January 2006-June 2007)

In my current position as a Creative Graphic Designer, I create graphics for the Champion brand at Gear for Sports. I also meet with clients and submit R&D tests for new garment processes and locations.

As an External Lead Senior Artist, I managed a team of four associates who sent art orders to Mexico and India and who audited completed outsourced graphics. I conducted biweekly conference calls to our partners in India and Mexico to troubleshoot and discuss art issues. I was involved in the interviewing/hiring process for our Mexico partners as well as internal outsourcing coordinators and auditors.

As a Senior Artist, I used Adobe Illustrator graphic design software on a Macintosh platform to prepare designs for screen print production (for Champion, Under Armour, and Gear for Sports brands). I also used scanners and software to re-draw customer graphics in order to maximize aesthetic appeal. My duties as a senior artist included troubleshooting issues with art files in Lenexa, KS and Chillicothe, MO, as well as communicating with offices in Mexico and Honduras to revise art and fine-tune the printing process via email. I also interviewed and trained several graphic artists in the Lenexa offices, and traveled to Mexico to train a new associate there.

I designed and developed a complete website overhaul for Mighty Axe, Inc. (http://mightyaxe.com) using Illustrator and Photoshop for layout purposes. I used jQuery, html, and CSS to develop the site.

With the assistance of a Japanese English-language teacher, I taught English to Japanese high school students. I created tests and complete English lesson plans with emphasis on speaking, listening, and writing. I also attended and assisted in facilitating extra-curricular activities, such as overnight English camps and speech contests.

As a prepress technician, I operated and maintained a Xerox DC6060 Digital Press. I consulted with external customers regarding file formats as well as design and creation of print-ready graphics and documents, and I participated in daily meetings to guarantee project success and conformance to customer requirements. I used Adobe Acrobat and Quite Imposing software to increase print efficiency and consistency, and I also used design programs such as QuarkXPress, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign on a Macintosh platform. These programs were used mostly to enhance documents to customer specifications. In addition, I utilised Microsoft Office Suite products on a PC platform when necessary. I was also responsible for updating and maintaining the server system on a daily basis.

I produced concepts and original artwork for customers, including business cards, letterheads, commercial advertisements, etc. using Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Word, and Adobe Photoshop Elements. I also created in-store signage and promotional print products for the Warrensburg branch of Office Depot. I used copying, binding, cutting, folding, and laminating machines to customer specifications, and I assisted customers in choosing products that corresponded with their needs.

As a lab assistant, I helped students to learn graphic design programs, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and QuarkXPress on a Macintosh platform. I answered questions regarding graphic design aesthetic and output issues. I also provided basic machine maintenance, including replacing ink cartridges, calibrating printers, and cleaning printers and computers.