Jerry Thomas PR Firm   |   Chicago, IL   |   Summer 2016  |   Graphic Artist Intern

During the summer of 2016 I was employed as a graphic artist intern for Jerry Thomas PR Firm. In this position, I was assigned different clients through the firm, where I would then create different graphics/designs for their different social medias. To complete this internship I had a list of designs and tasks that were to be completed. Some of my highlighted duties for this position included:

- Content Calendars for Social Media Pages: When given a client, it was my job to research and review their past posts made to their social media accounts, to get a better view of the company or organization. With that information, each month I would create a content calendar for each social media account, that listed designs and ideas that flowed with the companies design scheme.

- Create Social Media Graphics: One of the clients I had the pleasure of working with during this internship was the African American Firefighters and Paramedics League of Chicago. One of their goals that they wanted accomplished with us managing their social medias was to grow more followers, through everyday posting of unique graphics. My job with this account was to create daily infographics, quoted graphics, and/or statistical graphics for their Facebook page following the design style that was laid out. 

​​

Evangel University Football   |   Springfield, MO   |   Summer 2017  |  Graphic Design Intern

During the summer of 2017 I had the privilege of working with the Evangel University Football team, as the graphic design intern. In this position I was in charge of creating graphics that the team would use for the upcoming season, as well as the recruiting season. To complete this internship I was given a content calendar for the entire summer that listed every design that I would need to complete. The calendar was sectioned into weekly tasks, where I was assigned about 3-4 designs that were due at the end of each week. Some of my highlighted duties for this position included:

- Following a Content Calendar: I was given a content calendar that showed all of the designs I would need to complete throughout the entire summer. This calendar was sectioned off weekly where I had about 3-4 graphics to complete and submit for approval before the end of the work day on Thursday; Friday I would make the necessary changes needed for those graphics given by my supervisor, and would submit the final designs before the end of the day on Friday.

- Knowledge of the University Brand: With this internship being associated with a university, it was crucial for me to pay attention to the schools brand, and design layout when creating graphics for the team. It was heavily stressed that these designs are essentially representing an entire University, and should be carefully thought out to avoid clashing.

- Create Engaging Graphics: I really enjoyed this internship because it allowed me to be creatively free, and develop my skills in the unfamiliar world of sports graphics. Many of the graphics and designs I was assigned to create included: Recruiting graphics, team schedule design, coach "About Me" infographics, t-shirt designs, team holiday graphics, etc. Some of these graphics can be shown on my Artwork page.

​

Missouri State University | Springfield, MO   |  Fall 2014 - Spring 2017  |  Resident Assistant

While at Missouri State University I had the privilege of obtaining this leadership position for 3 academic years. In this position, I was responsible for supervising and assisting students with living in the residence halls on campus. I was also responsible for creating creative and educational programs for my residents to attend that would help build a friendly, and safe community. Doing so, not only was I able to develop personal and professional connections with residents, but it also allowed residents to better connect with other individuals within our floor community. 

​

Gemini Industries | Roxana, IL   |  March 2018 - present  |  Graphic Designer/Production Artist

Gemini Industries is a production and promotion company that creates custom items for customers. At Gemini we also have a stock catalog that customers can choose from if they do not want to order a custom item. In my current position at Gemini Industries I work in the art department as a graphic designer/ production artist. Some of my main responsibilities in position includes:

- Creating Production Files: In this position I work as a production artist, specifically for our ribbon products; where I create the production file needed to produce the ribbon order. In doing so I work with Corel Draw and Adobe Illustrator. 

- Creating Proofs: When receiving an order, customers have the option of requesting a virtual proof/ mock up to show them a better idea of how the item would look after we produce it. It is my job to follow the customer purchase order as closely as possible to make a creative and accurate mock up proof.

Trace Customers Art: One of the major elements of my role is to also convert customer art into usable vector files. There are often times where we get new customers, that send us just their logo in JPEG format, and the item that they want. It is my job to trace their artwork and fit it onto their chosen item given the item limitations; however keeping their logo in tact.

​