Hi, I’m
Sandra Wilentz
Graphic Designer
Summerville,SC
Summary
Deadline-driven Graphic Designer focused on overseeing projects from concept through final delivery. Successfully creates brand messages, strategies and key graphic productions. Resourceful and hardworking with vendor sourcing expertise and empowering leadership skills illustrated over 15 years of industry success.
Overview
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Self Employed
Freelance Graphic Designer | Photographer | Illustrator
01.2018 - Current
Job overview
- Photography, Photo Editing, Illustration, Social Media, Project Management, Brochures and Fliers, Stationery, Business Cards, Time Management
- Boosted social media engagement by creating original artwork
- Streamlined a cataloguing system for images in Adobe Lightroom, expediting the selection of artwork and enhancing workflow speed
- Revamped visuals with Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom, contributing to a 30% surge in client inquiries and projects.
Penguin Random House
Art Director
10.1999 - 06.2004
Job overview
- Led a team of three designers and five freelancers, directing the visual aspects of 70 book covers and jackets annually
- Employed design software and creative skills to enhance digital images and print collateral
- Designed a highly successful series of graphics and illustrations for a collection of young reader books
- Collaborated with the publisher and Marketing Department to develop innovative promotional concepts and give new life to existing campaigns with branded products, including totes, mugs, book sets, and t-shirts
- Gained valuable experience in branding, packaging and production.
Dell Magazines
Associate Art Director
03.1997 - 09.1999
Job overview
- Assumed a key role in the creative process, contributing photography, illustration and typography to monthly magazines
- Organized and conducted photo shoots
- Obtained character licensing
- Coached and trained junior designers the aim of improving skills and efficiency
- Negotiated contractual agreements with printers and illustrators, ensuring timely and error-free deliverables.
Newmarket Press
Graphic Design Assistant
01.1994 - 09.1996
Job overview
- Finalized design projects and delivered printer-ready files
- Provided mock-ups to CEO, gathering feedback for modifications
- Utilized design principles such as typography, composition, and layout
- Cross-functioned with the production department, contributing to the creation of various point of sale displays
- Conceptualized and designed layout for promotional catalogs that effectively showcased company offerings.
Education
Atlanta School of PhotographyAtlanta, GA
Continuing Education from Photography
01.2020
Parsons School of DesignNew York, NY
Bachelor of Arts from Graphic Design
01.1993
Skills
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Acrobat
- Dropbox
- Microsoft Word
- Freehand Drawing
- Formatting
- Layouts
- Photography
- Photo Shoots
Volunteer Experience
Contributed to anti-poaching campaigns to save African wildlife, Administrator Social Media Action Group #ZimbabweElephants, Rallied large numbers of #AfricanWildlife supporters on FB to collectively send letters and emails to various Embassies in Africa. Created Tweet Storms to increase impact, targeting key individuals, CITIES, governments and organizations responsible for the sale of countless elephant calves from Zimbabwe to overseas zoos and circuses, where a majority died in flight/cargo or shortly after arrival. Kept followers on top of activities through graphic images and designs on the Action Group Page.
Languages
French
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Freelance Graphic Designer | Photographer | Illustrator
Self Employed
01.2018 - Current
Art Director
Penguin Random House
10.1999 - 06.2004
Associate Art Director
Dell Magazines
03.1997 - 09.1999
Graphic Design Assistant
Newmarket Press
01.1994 - 09.1996
Atlanta School of Photography
Continuing Education from Photography
Parsons School of Design
Bachelor of Arts from Graphic Design
Similar Profiles
Richa JadwaniRicha Jadwani
Financial Market Trader at Self EmployedFinancial Market Trader at Self Employed
Uriel AcostaUriel Acosta
Clothes Seller at Self EmployedClothes Seller at Self Employed
DONNA MITCHELLDONNA MITCHELL
Support Worker at Self EmployedSupport Worker at Self Employed
Joseph WalkerJoseph Walker
Software Engineer at Self EmployedSoftware Engineer at Self Employed
Sammie Smith IIISammie Smith III
Collision Advisor at Camping WorldCollision Advisor at Camping World