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About Me:

I am not really a generalist, moreso I have had the privilege of being given the opportunity to learn and do many things and I have been blessed with the ability to be able to do those things very successfully.

Some things I love to do, some I can do.

This includes:

  • design systems: database, operations/administration, marketing/graphic communications
  • build/construct: house renovation, carpentry, plastering, welding
  • leadership: mentor, teach, manage, consult
  • technology: IT infrastructure, support
  • cooking
  • development: grantwriting, appeals, event planning
  • project management
  • My primary work is in graphic design—print, web and environmental—as well as operations and administrative design—how to design better systems for running non-profit organizations. Each experience I have in other areas outside of design, inform my design work. If you have a project that is intended to raise money, my development experience informs how I can best communicate that message through your media.

    What I love about design is the idea that becomes reality of using design systems to facilitate interactions and information between two things (people and/or objects, etc.). To me, that is what design is.

    Experience:

    Download my resume (PDF)

    Technical +

    Software/Languages: Adobe CS3: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks • word processing, spreadsheet and other office software • XHTML/CSS • BBEdit • basic Javascript, PHP, CAD • RealProducer (Webcasting) • UNIX • MSAccess • FilemakerPro • basic CAD •

    Professional: Creative direction • Traditional and digital photography • Database Development • Teaching design • Macintosh and Windows use and troubleshooting • Hardware and software upgrading, installation, and maintenance •

    Employment History +

    1993 to present
    Principal, HOUSEofCAKESdesign, Brooklyn, New York
    Creative director/designer for clients and agencies seeking branding and design services • Focus on non-profit and social justice organizations •
    Clients Include: Lambda Legal, Brooklyn Public Library, Make the Road New York, Tilt Interactive, Funding Exchange, Commission on the Public Health System, GerryBoyle.com, Ocean Press

    January 2006 to June 2007
    Senior Graphic Designer, Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, New York
    Designed, directed and managed major publication and marketing campaigns for 60 libraries in Brooklyn • Worked with stakeholders to develop projects and implementation strategies • Designed major print and multimedia projects • Created branding standards and templates • Created workflow and data management systems •

    July 2003 to January 2006
    Coordinator of Operations, Make the Road by Walking, Inc. Brooklyn, New York
    Responsible for facilities, office and human resources management • Managed a $1.5 million-dollar budget • Designed and produced marketing materials • Maintained information technology infrastructure consisting of firewall and network, two servers, and over 30 workstations on a Windows platform • Managed financial and budgetary matters such as payroll, invoice payment and banking • Administered benefits and human resources • Maintained database and responsible for project management of database redesign • Coordinated all fundraising activity such as grantwriting, special events, and appeals • Wrote grants • Photographed events and coordinate photo archives • Created policies and procedures for organizational management • Supervised over 10 full-time, part-time and contract employees •

    June 1999 to June 2003
    Web Manager, Colby College Department of Communications Waterville, Maine
    Developed sites and features for users of www.colby.edu from concept to launch • Established strategic direction for Web site • Responsible for writing project plans, designing information architecture, developing content, art direction and design, user interface design, coding, photo editing and photography, managing resources and projects, and site maintenance • Created and implemented branding, navigation, and style standards for the web • Designed web project management system • Collaborated with information technology services on back-end programming and planning • Wrote technical documents for style, training, and documentation purposes • Supervised and trained students and employees to work on Web • Directed and managed freelancers • Instituted first live Webcast of College events •

    September 1997 to January 1999
    Associate Art Director, Utne Reader Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Served as an art director for a bimonthly award-winning editorial magazine with a circulation of 260,000 (1999) • Selected and directed award-winning freelance illustrators and photographers in assignments for magazine • Designed departments and features • Collaborated with editors and art director on art assignments for each issue • Managed freelance art budget •

    May 1994 to August 1997
    Assistant Director of Communications/Graphic Designer, Colby College Department of Communications Waterville, Maine
    Served as art director, designer, illustrator, and photographer for alumni magazine and other academic and administrative departments • Responsible for all phases in the print process from client meetings, budget, and production to art direction and design • Supervised students in design and administrative duties •

    Education +

    Leadership Forum, Brooklyn Public Library (management and leadership training)
    Social Justice Leadership Semester (management training and personal leadership)
    Hispanic Federation Management Institute (non-profit management)
    Web Instructor, Colby College
    Workshop Leader: Branding and Marketing Images, American Association of University Women (Waterville, Maine)
    Independent Study Instructor, Colby College

    1999, M.F.A., Visual Studies, Minneapolis College of Art and Design

    1993, B.A., Biology, Colby College

    Random/Miscellaneous +

    Member of AIGA
    Exhibited design work in U.S., Cuba, and Norway
    Snowboarder
    Competitive Volleyball
    => Contact me:
    tel 646.244.8223
    email karen {at} houseofcakes {dot} com