Nancy McGrath
2528 S Vaughn Way, D, Aurora, CO--
Portfolio: http://www.mcgrathcreativegraphicdesign.com
Professional Summary
High-end, award-winning graphic designer with significant professional experience and a keen eye for detail.
Highly accomplished with expertise in leading profit-generating operations through strategic operations planning,
improvement processes, and providing high-end client services. Demonstrated management skills that enhance
productivity and drive sustained business performance. Seeking to bring talent to the table in a role with a
respected organization that values hard work, creativity, and results.
Key Skills
• Excellent
management skills and expertise in
driving a wide variety of business, including
relationship management, business development,
and conflict resolution
• Deep foundation in graphic design, typography,
layout, and digital tools
• Ability to build rapport with key stakeholders
and succeed in high-pressure, challenging, and
deadline-driven environments
• A
bility to identify if the message of the medium
is aligned with the business objectives, goals,
mission, and image
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite
• E
xcellent experience working with outside
vendors and negotiating budgets
Work History
OWNER/ART DIRECTOR
12/2014 to present
McGRATH CREATIVE GRAPHIC DESIGN LLC. - COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
• Re-launched freelance design business, after receiving an $8200 grant to help start my business
• Conceive and design fliers, leaflets, door hangers, banners, magazines, books, catalogs, logos, brochures and
many other types of design projects
ART DIRECTOR
MEMORY MAKER’S MAGAZINE - DENVER, CO
• Redesigned entire magazine, 3 months after the redesign circulation sales rose 17%
• Supervised staff of two along with photographer on staff
10/2001 to 6/2002
ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR
10/1999 to 11/2000
TUCSON LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE - TUCSON,AZ
• Accountable for design and execution of most of the advertising design done for the magazine
• Charged a premium rate for my services versus other designer on staff
FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ART DIRECTOR
9/1996 to 9/1999
NMK DESIGN - DES MOINES, IA
• KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Routinely execute superior design work in line with client specifications to
uphold brand name; utilize in-depth communication skills to build client relationships. Had clients such as
Northwest Airlines Magazine, Florida Tourism Council, Connecticut Tourism Council and Decorating Den
SENIOR PACKAGING DESIGNER
10/1995 to 09/1996
MATTEL - LOS ANGELES, CA
• One of only two out of 75 designers selected to design and develop packaging concepts for the exclusive
adult collector Barbies
• Negotiated prices on all outsourced vendors, photographers, illustrators, etc.
• KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Worked closely with clients to develop campaign strategies, narratives, and
concepts to execute effective target market design solutions
• Supervised and monitored schedules of 4 digital design studio staff members
DIGITAL DESIGN STUDIO MANAGER
02/1994 to 10/1995
CURRENT INC - COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
• Recruited to initiate and head up the new Digital Design Studio, which was responsible for all design and
production work
• Conceived, planned, and directed all custom photography projects; trained designers in photographic art
direction and methodology
• Assumed responsibility for conceptualizations, freelance negotiation for photographers and stylists, location
scouting, prop shopping, propping, photo styling, and general art direction of new photography
• Worked on various multi-dimensional products including books, posters, compact disc jackets, die-cut
products, correspondence seals, cookbooks, wrapping paper, greeting cards, and other paper products
• KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Won Denver Art Director’s awards for two car calendars’ designs.
• Produced 12+ calendars annually
ART DIRECTOR “COMING HOME”
10/1992 to 02/1994
LANDS’ END - DODGEVILLE, WI
• Created, planned, budgeted, and directed all location and studio photography for quilt, tabletop, and blanket
product lines
• Designed assigned catalog pages in designated product areas
• Served as Art Director for designated Coming Home and Lands’ End catalog pages
• KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Only Art Director chosen to go on long-distance photo shoots to San Francisco and Chicago
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
05/1985 to 10/1992
MEREDITH CORPORATION (Better Homes & Gardens)- DES MOINES, IA
• Facilitated use of first Macintosh desktop publishing system for magazines: prepared equipment budget
proposals, tested software/hardware, created file management methods, re-engineered and streamlined copy
flow process, resolved applications problems, and incorporated latest application updates into departmental
procedures
• Planned, designed, and directed art production of a quarterly magazine
• Conducted training programs for editorial staff on desktop publishing applications
• Collaborated with all levels of staff to ensure smooth and efficient productions
• Maintained art production budget of $ 2.1 million a year for 31 magazines
• Created and revised cost workbooks for prepress production of specialty interest magazines
• Conducted and supervised pre-planning for photography and executed concepts
• Designed editorial magazine pages and covers, conceptualized and art directed photography, and proofed
all phases of magazine production
• KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Established 140 page Macintosh Handbook used as a design reference
• Supervised five direct reports, approved all layouts and covers, fine-tuned production techniques, and managed magazine schedules
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
09/1979 to 5/1985
UNIVERSITY & PUBLIC AFFAIRS, UNIV. OF NORTH DAKOTA - GRAND FORKS, ND
• Designed a variety of print materials for various departments within the University
• Designed flyer, brochures, business cards, id cards, flyers, posters, billboards, programs, certificates and
other print material
Education
MASTER OF SCIENCE - INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY AND GRAPHIC ARTS
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
• Graduate Teaching Assistant
• GPA 3.91
BACHELOR OF ARTS - INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, JOURNALISM AND ART
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
• Magna Cum Laude Graduate
• Board of Higher Education Scholarship
• Neil C. Macdonald Scholarship
• Dean’s List
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