Julia Tanner
Harrisonburg,VA
Summary
I am a creative, motivated individual with long-term experience in hospitality, where my natural ability to connect with people truly shines. I have advanced knowledge and hands-on experience with Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, and Canva. I thrive in fast-paced environments, love collaborating with others, and always bring a positive, can-do attitude to the table. Whether I’m designing graphics, working with clients, or helping a team stay on track, I’m known for being reliable, easy to communicate with, and someone who always gives 110%. I take pride in doing things right the first time and never settling for the bare minimum. If you’re looking for someone who’s passionate, detail-oriented, and genuinely cares about both the work and the people involved—that's me.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Bartender/Server
Aqua Clinton CT
Clinton, CT
05.2020 - Current
- I began as a hostess and quickly advanced to server and bartender within the first two years due to a strong work ethic, adaptability, and excellent customer rapport.
- Delivered attentive, personalized service to a high volume of guests daily, consistently exceeding performance and customer satisfaction expectations.
- Maintained a clean, organized, and efficient service area, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards at all times.
- Worked closely with kitchen staff and management to coordinate timely food and drink delivery, enhancing overall workflow and guest experience.
- Expertly guided guests through menu options, including specialty cocktails and food pairings, while accommodating dietary restrictions and preferences.
- Resolved customer concerns calmly and professionally, turning potential negative experiences into positive ones, and building guest loyalty.
- Cultivated a welcoming atmosphere for new and returning guests, regularly receiving recognition for friendly demeanor, efficiency, and service quality.
Head Art Director
The Breeze, James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
03.2025 - Current
- I hold responsibility for the art, design, and cover sections of James Madison's student-run newspaper, The Breeze.
- Leads creative direction across both digital and print media.
- Utilizes design software apps such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to package creative graphics.
- Oversees production processes, ensuring quality standards are met throughout execution.
- Designs promotional materials such as comics, graphics, posters, infographics, newsletters, and logos.
- Decide where, when, and how the design will be incorporated into each week's spread.
Student Writer / Editorial Contributor
James Madison University
Harrisonburg , VA
01.2023 - Current
- Conducted in-depth interviews with students, faculty, and job candidates to gather insights, assess qualifications, and support both reporting and hiring decisions.
- Researched campus news, current events, and role-specific criteria to develop feature stories and tailored interview questions.
- Wrote and edited articles for campus publications, collaborating with editors to refine content, style, and accuracy.
- Covered live campus events and reported on key developments for timely publication.
- Edited peer submissions to ensure clarity, coherence, and alignment with editorial standards.
- Contributed to both print and digital layout design, enhancing the visual appeal and readability of published materials.
Graphic Designer/Digital Illustrator
The Breeze, James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
10.2024 - 03.2025
- Designed custom illustrations in response to editorial requests from staff writers at The Breeze, James Madison University’s student-run newspaper.
- Executed visual content using Adobe Creative Suite tools, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, to produce high-quality, publication-ready graphics.
- Delivered time-sensitive illustrations under tight deadlines—often within a two-hour turnaround—while maintaining consistency with editorial tone and visual standards.
Creative Director Madison 101
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Took leadership on the creative aspect, design, layout, and coordination of JMU magazine directed towards incoming freshmen.
- Led creative campaigns aligning with brand vision and market trends.
- Touched every page of the magazine, fully designed 98% of the magazine; finalized the master copy to be published for the public.
Album Design
Elizabeth Young
Nashville, TN
01.2025 - Current
- Utilized Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to design a range of custom graphics for an original album cover.
- Collaborated directly with the songwriter to translate the emotional tone and narrative of the song into visual form.
- Adjusted lighting, color schemes, and composition to align with the overall mood and aesthetic of the music.
- Developed multiple design concepts and iterations, incorporating vintage themes, creative filters, and experimental textures.
- Strategically placed typography to complement the visual balance and reinforce the message of the cover art.
- Delivered a final design used as the official album cover, publicly credited on platforms including Instagram, Apple Music, and Spotify.
Website Coding/Creation
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
08.2023 - Current
- Developed responsive web pages using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for client projects.
- Assisted in optimizing website performance through code review and practices.
- Conducted user research to understand needs and preferences of target audience.
- Facilitated usability testing sessions to gather feedback on design effectiveness.
Alpha Phi
James Madison University Sorority
Harrisonburg, VA
08.2022 - Current
- Attended national and regional conferences focused on philanthropy, leadership development, and organizational growth, gaining insight into nonprofit initiatives and effective community engagement.
- Successfully managed day-to-day responsibilities, demonstrating attention to detail, accountability, and time management within a collaborative chapter environment.
- Developed strong interpersonal and communication skills by networking with a diverse group of members and building meaningful, lasting connections.
- Cultivated a sense of belonging and personal identity while enhancing emotional intelligence, teamwork, and the ability to navigate group dynamics.
- Strengthened confidence, public speaking, and leadership abilities through active participation in chapter events, discussions, and planning committees.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Journalism/Graphic Design
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA05-2026
High School Diploma -
The Morgan School
Clinton, CT06-2022
Skills
- Creative & Visual Design
- Graphic Design & Layout
- Visual Storytelling & Branding
- Editorial Writing & Content Development
- Project & Time Management
- Web Design & Development
- Organizational Skills & Attention to Detail
- Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Team Leadership & Collaboration
Accomplishments
Creative Director of Madison 101
- James Madison's introductory magazine targeted to incoming Freshmen.
- Took full control of the creative aspect of every page, spread, detail, placement, and graphic included.
- Created the magazine through Adobe InDesign primarily, with help from Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop mediums.
- Applied intense organization and leadership skills to completely assemble this magazine, packaging it on my own.
- Greatest accomplishment that exemplifies my creative and journalistic abilities in one.
Timeline
Head Art Director
The Breeze, James Madison University
03.2025 - Current
Creative Director Madison 101
James Madison University
01.2025 - 05.2025
Album Design
Elizabeth Young
01.2025 - Current
Graphic Designer/Digital Illustrator
The Breeze, James Madison University
10.2024 - 03.2025
Website Coding/Creation
James Madison University
08.2023 - Current
Student Writer / Editorial Contributor
James Madison University
01.2023 - Current
Alpha Phi
James Madison University Sorority
08.2022 - Current
Bartender/Server
Aqua Clinton CT
05.2020 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Journalism/Graphic Design
James Madison University
High School Diploma -
The Morgan School
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