Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Timeline
Generic
Open To Work

Matt Swan

Florence,AL

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work
Desired start date: Flexible

Desired Job Title

Owner and Proprietor of Art and Design StudioGraphic and Advertising DesignerTraveling Technical Retail Sales Trainer Crew Trainer

Work Type

Full Time

Location Preference

RemoteHybrid
Location: Florence, AL, USHuntsville, ALNashville, TN
Open to relocation: No

Important To Me

Work-life balanceHealthcare benefitsWork from home optionPaid time offPersonal development programs

Summary

I am a successful and experienced artist and graphic designer with multiple graphic novel projects, proficiency in flatting and coloring, hundreds of graphic and advertising design samples, and countless examples of commission-based fan and personalized art in my portfolio. I have extensive knowledge of the most frequently used design software including Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Canva. I have good instincts and unwavering attention to detail that will make me an asset to your design team. I am easy to work with, take criticism well, love collaborating with others, and always complete projects. I am highly experienced in hand-drawing, paint, watercolor, ink, and digital design.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Owner and Proprietor of Art and Design Studio

Matt Swan Studio
Florence, AL
01.2015 - Current
  • Created Commission-based art and personalized art.
  • Designed Sequential and Illustrating Projects for multiple businesses including: 4MP Studio and Smokehouse Crackers.
  • Oversaw financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and expense tracking for day to day studio needs and conventions including Rose City Comic Con, Portland Comic Con, and Big Lick Comic Con.
  • Managed day-to-day business operations.
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals from several clients both US based and Canadian based.
  • Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal personalized solutions on hundreds of commissions.
  • Edited Graphics and Video with extensive knowledge of Photoshop, Adobe Rush, and Canva to promote both product and events for Smokehouse Crackers.
  • Maintaining outreach and procurement of orders through networking and social media posts.
  • Utilize hand-drawing, paint, watercolor, and digital design.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with Printers and Stationers Print shop to secure competitive pricing and quality prints.
  • Implemented marketing initiatives that increased brand visibility and customer engagement through Instagram Stories and Reels, and Threads.

Graphic and Advertising Designer

Smokehouse Crackers, LLC
Albertville, AL
01.2022 - 06.2024
  • Designed graphics and ads for numerous product events.
  • Created promotional video reels through Canva and Adobe Rush.
  • Built videos and ads from conception to scheduling.
  • Utilized creative liberty given to all ads for events, activities, promotions, holidays, and new products.
  • Designed visually appealing graphics for digital and print media, enhancing brand identity including four illustrated company mascots for the four flavors of cracker at the time. Barbecue, Spicy, Cinnamon, Pizza.
  • Illustrated multiple voting campaigns to select the preferred Mascot to represent the Smokehouse Crackers Brand on packaging and future media campaigns.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create cohesive marketing campaigns.
  • Utilized Adobe Creative Suite to produce high-quality design assets efficiently focusing mainly on Adobe Photoshop and Rush.
  • Created video template for "Where are Smokehouse Crackers" reels. Allowing others to plug and play specific individual store information to personalize the reel in a quarter of the time. This streamlined the process freeing up hours of time to focus on other projects.
  • Managed up to 20 Smokehouse Instagram posts and between 3-5 reels per week simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and quality standards.
  • Conceptualized creative designs for print materials, banners, and signs utilizing mascot illustrations and assorted hand-drawn assets.

Guest Artist and Lighting Designer

Shoals Community Theatre
Florence, AL
04.2023 - 07.2023
  • Designed, programmed, and executed lighting for the 2023 sold-out production of The Addams Family performing for over 1500 guests in four days.
  • Maintained consistent lighting quality throughout dress rehearsals and weekend productions.
  • Collaborated with director to design appropriate family portraits to be used as set décor to create an ambience consistent with the production.
  • Trained volunteers on how to replicate the portrait designs for set enhancement and coached to maintain quality.
  • Ensured all set design elements were high quality and completed on time.
  • Volunteered to help other set design initiatives as needed.
  • Collaborated with production teams to ensure seamless integration of lighting designs into overall project vision.
  • Determined best lighting design and techniques according to location and situation.
  • Attended 5 technical rehearsals to assist with adjustments.
  • Illuminated performance areas to verify audience can clearly see actors and scenery.

Customer Relations and Acquisition

IF USA, LLC
Florence, AL
02.2019 - 09.2020
  • Prioritized outreach and procurement of orders
  • Served as primary contact for new inside accounts
  • Entered data, created and maintained high-touch accounts
  • Maintained client retention and assistance
  • Analyzed customer data to identify trends, informing strategic decisions for service improvements.
  • Fostered strong relationships with clients, ensuring retention through personalized service strategies.
  • Handled complaints, provided appropriate solutions, and alternatives within appropriate timeframes and followed up to achieve resolution.
  • Managed customer relations on ongoing basis to maximize customer retention.
  • Managed department call volume of 20 to 30 calls per day and coordinated department schedules to maximize coverage during peak hours.
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.

Traveling Technical Retail Sales Trainer

Hip Collective Sales Agency
Remote
01.2017 - 08.2018
  • Attended events in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi on behalf of representative brands.
  • Visited Alabama Outdoor dealers in my area to make sure all of their sales staff were knowledgeable and telling the same story about Black Diamond Brand.
  • Collected anecdotal data to pass on to sales team for a more efficient and complete sales process.
  • Attended and helped staff the Chattanooga Climbing Gym event allowing our product to be tested by over 100 different participants and visitors.
  • Collaborated with management to update training materials based on current retail trends and best practices.
  • Facilitated workshops focusing on sales techniques, visual merchandising, and inventory management processes where up to 15 store employees would be trained and tested to maintain brand consistency.

Exhibit Technician and Project Manager

Amazement Square Children's Museum
Lynchburg, VA
01.2017 - 12.2017
  • Organized and processing traveling exhibitions
  • Planned upcoming exhibits
  • Served as liaison for incoming and outgoing South Korean traveling exhibit set up on satelite location allowing more than 500 visitors to view and interact with international exhibit over 6 weeks time.
  • Sourced material for construction of new and pre-existing exhibits.
  • Collaborated with design teams to create interactive exhibit signage enhancing visitor engagement.
  • Conducted regular maintenance and repairs on exhibit components ensuring operational integrity.
  • Managed inventory of exhibit materials, optimizing resource allocation for projects.
  • Oversaw installation processes for new exhibits, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
  • Ensured exhibit safety by implementing proper security measures and protocols.
  • Improved exhibit quality by meticulously maintaining and repairing various display components.
  • Supported the development of educational materials related to exhibitions, enhancing visitor understanding of displayed content.
  • Provided ongoing support for traveling exhibitions, managing logistics and coordinating installations at various venues.

Account Service and Brand Ambassador

Mountain Hardwear/Montrail
Portland, OR
03.2008 - 09.2016
  • Processed incoming communications and resolving and resolved actionable items
  • Prepared reports, memos, letters, and other documents using spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software
  • Reviewed order book and schedules for colleagues to ensure accuracy
  • Maintained high quality data and ensuring deadlines are met
  • Managed customer inquiries and resolved issues, ensuring high satisfaction rates.
  • Collaborated with sales team to streamline order processing and enhance client communication.
  • Analyzed customer feedback to identify trends and improve service delivery strategies.
  • Balanced up to 500 accounts simultaneously, maintaining regular contact, and professional relationships with each.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Art & Design

University of North Alabama
Florence
01-2005

Skills

  • Brand Management
  • Creative Design
  • Excellent Communication
  • Instructional Coaching
  • Illustration
  • Graphic Design
  • Problem Solving
  • Project Management
  • Time Management
  • Social Media Management
  • Adobe Suite
  • Canva
  • Google Suite
  • Microsoft Office
  • Customer relations
  • Verbal and written communication

Interests

Art and Design!, Healthy Lifestyle, Theatre and Set Design, Cooking and Baking, Unplugged Gaming, Floor Plans, Blue Prints, and Building

Timeline

Guest Artist and Lighting Designer

Shoals Community Theatre
04.2023 - 07.2023

Graphic and Advertising Designer

Smokehouse Crackers, LLC
01.2022 - 06.2024

Customer Relations and Acquisition

IF USA, LLC
02.2019 - 09.2020

Traveling Technical Retail Sales Trainer

Hip Collective Sales Agency
01.2017 - 08.2018

Exhibit Technician and Project Manager

Amazement Square Children's Museum
01.2017 - 12.2017

Owner and Proprietor of Art and Design Studio

Matt Swan Studio
01.2015 - Current

Account Service and Brand Ambassador

Mountain Hardwear/Montrail
03.2008 - 09.2016

Bachelor of Arts - Art & Design

University of North Alabama

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Matt Swan