James E. Heffernan

Graphic design/newspaper production

Responsibilities: * Conceived and produced high-end visual graphics that promoted product lines associated with the Life and Annuity division of Travelers. * Lent creative direction to Account executives accounts. * Managed vendor relations: Price, Production and time management as it related to Printers, Stock Photography houses and freelancers. Art Department Manager/Senior Art Director Responsibilities

Responsibilities: * Designed the digital prepress operation for maximum efficiency to shorten schedules and controlled costs while maintaining superior design of all advertising pieces. * Designed catalogs, direct mail pieces and created sales and marketing support materials. * Supervised flow of jobs and met deadlines on all services. * Supervised in-house staff of two designers, along with outside freelancers and photographers. * Responsible for the upgrading of computer hardware and software. * Brought digital photography into the art department and saved $12,400 in the first year. * Managed art department budget.

Responsibilities: * Develop effective, attractive communications that support the company's business objectives through the use of typography, color, image and layout. * Create documents using department-standard best practices, so that files are managed appropriately through the production lifecycle and are prepared properly for output to the appropriate media. * Perform quality control to assure that all work adheres to department quality standards, MetLife's visual identity standards and aligns with MetLife's brand positioning. * Manages both physical and electronic assets associated with the production of a project, including photography and illustration, according to department guidelines. * Prepares vendor specifications and provides production direction to vendors. * Edits production files according to business requirements, in an accurate and timely manner. * Serve as the back-up Production Manager. Responsibilities include the trafficking of all incoming work requests, the assigning of jobs and art direction

Solved daily business problems related to creation and production of effective promotional materials that incorporated professional design elements and portrayed a quality image of the company. * Provided creative skills and expertise to interpret client requirements and developed effective materials within time constraints. * Provided direction and supervision in the management and development of the Graphic Designer position. * Provided business and managerial skills necessary to assure maximum value for the services and materials to support the company's graphic design needs and objectives. * Provided technical skills to enhance the capabilities and effectiveness of Corporate Communications, as well as support and maintenance for computerized design capabilities through experience and knowledge and use of outside vendors. * Served as project manager, provided management and coordination of details and production procedures for all assigned projects without error and within deadlines. * Provided budget management for all projects and art department materials. Art Department Manager/Senior Art Director

Responsibilities: * Determined visual needs in relation to marketing approach for all direct mail pieces. * Created designs, layouts and comps for catalog pages, covers, supplements, package stuffers, flyers, brochures and other printed materials. * Developed prototypes and presentation materials that supported design ideas and marketing efforts for trade shows, new product introduction, etc. * Scheduled photo shoots and directed photographers and models on location and in the studio. * Monitored ongoing cost of each project in coordination with catalog production manager. * Interfaced with printers and color separators, provided specifications, verified adherence to specs, attended press checks and maintained quality control as required by catalog production manager.