RESUME | nicolesalow

ABOUT ME

I am forever optimistic, open-minded, and love new adventures. Design is my passion, and so are photography, live music, and sustainability! My curiosity leads me to learn skills to achieve my professional goals—I recently earned a certificate in UX Design, as well as a master’s degree in Web Development. I have a wide array of professional and life experiences that have shaped the person I am today: adaptable, patient, creative, energetic, and ready to jump in with both feet.

EDUCATION
B.A. Graphic Design
Drake University

B.A. Journalism & Mass Communication (Magazine Journalism)
Drake University

Master of Applied Computer Science (Web Development)
Saint Xavier University

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Build a brand system and guidelines from scratch, including redesigning the website, all collateral, and updating the logo to reflect the company’s future vision.
Execute all creative design stages from concept to final hand-off.
Collaborate with the Marketing, Business Development, Sales, and Proposals departments to support the company’s growth by creating pitch decks, one sheets, brochures, email blasts, social media posts, info graphics, and landing pages.
Development of templates, style guides, pattern and photo libraries and design specs for marketing materials and applications.
Researched and implemented creative workflow software for design and marketing.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Produce and oversee digital and print creative solutions by organizing, designing, developing, evolving and enforcing the university’s visual brand identity.
Conceptualize and apply visual design principles including typography, composition, color theory and hierarchy to 35+ creative branded assets per month.
Translate strategies and written requests into a variety of design solutions that are appropriately branded and support project goals.
Execute all creative design stages from concept to final hand-off to production
Maintain strong, proactive relationships with cross-functional teams.
Provide flawless press-ready files to printers, approve proofs, perform press checks and show to ensure accuracy in quality, quantity and cost.
Designed an onboarding program to train and manage design student workers.
Identified bottlenecks in proofing processes and implemented new software and strategies to overcome them, saving thousands of dollars and cutting creative proofing time by 50%.
Co-chair of Sustainability: plan and carry-out sustainability awareness events, oversee social media accounts and manage sustainability student worker.
Chair of ASC Communications: voted by peers in Administrative & Staff Council. Encourage employee communication and coordinate quarterly newsletter.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER II

Simultaneously managed fast-paced design work across multiple campaign deadlines with efficiency and attention to detail.
Designed 50+ print and digital advertising, billboards, direct mail pieces, social media and marquee images using Adobe Creative Suite software.
Collaborated with copywriters and design managers to maintain both individual casino and Boyd Gaming brand standards on all creative marketing campaigns.
Contributed to the development of templates, style guides, pattern libraries and design specs for marketing materials and applications.
Created an onboarding program for new hires, frequently managed new employee training, and offered continuous guidance and mentorship to trainees.

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Retouched family and senior portraits from RAW files, designed custom albums and wall art and created social media content. A
Assisted photographer during in-studio and on-location photo shoots.
Photographed youth sports portraits and events.

ENGLISH TEACHER

Created engaging PowerPoint presentations and materials to enhance students’ learning experiences.
Designed and implemented a 10-week English course for Korean military students, including supplemental PowerPoints and creative worksheets.