experience

My robust portfolio of skills allows me to provide a consistent style and message across print and digital media, with a focused dedication to efficiency and relationships.

skills

Design, layout, publishing, print production, social media, typography, video, writing, editing, photography, photo editing, newsletters, and project management

  • 20+ years expertise with Adobe Creative Suite/Cloud (PS, ID, AI, DW, Acrobat)
  • 10+ years experience with social media, blogs, and targeted marketing campaigns
  • Skilled with WordPress, MailChimp, SharePoint, and online CMS tools
  • Proficient with ScreenFlow and BrightAuthor digital video platform
  • Exceptional writing and editing skills for both online and print formats
  • Extensive experience in team building and project management
  • Mac OS preferred, but comfortable on a PC platform

honors and awards

  • Certificate of Appreciation: contributions for HQ offices during relocation, Abt Associates, 2018.
  • Certificate of Recognition: High Work Ethic and Dedication, Northern Virginia Community College, 2015.
  • Certificate of Recognition: Corporate Performance Solutions contract training catalog,
    Northern Virginia Community College, 2015.
  • Beantown Tails Magazine Pet Photography Reader’s Choice, Boston, 2008–2010.
  • Finalist, Photographer’s Forum Spring Photography Contest, 2007.
  • Annual Employee Award for Teamwork, Braun Consulting, 1999.
  • Leadership Development, Braun Consulting, 2000.

employment history 

Graphic Designer

Abt Associates
Sep 2017–

Develop and design print and digital company-wide internal communications for both Division and administrative staff; support global conference presentations (posters, slide decks); provide design support for company-wide initiatives.

  • Design and publish content for digital screens for Abt HQ offices, including wayfinding, public lobby display screens, and internal screens in staff cafés; also publish digital screen files to staff intranet platforms to reach global audience, fostering a sense of “One Global Abt.”
  • Spring 2018: Proposed and designed a quick reference guide for 1,000 employees in two new HQ offices — a flipbook that features a status (do not disturb, on the phone, etc) on one side, with corresponding office information and resources on the other. The flipbook and a matching mousepad, earned a Certificate of Appreciation and a Strategic Communications Team award. (link: Twitter post featuring flipbook)
  • Fall 2017: Provided staff reference and event assets for three Workplace of the Future events leading up to the office moves, including event posters, reference guides, table displays, and a weekly Move Memo newsletter.
  • Develop branded print and digital materials for internal staff including posters and event signage, icons, templates, infographics, and quarterly CEO presentations.

Graphic Designer

Association of Women’s Healthcare, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
Feb–Jun 2017

Supported senior design staff, marketing director, and social media manager with print and digital publications, online continuing education modules, and social media and marketing graphics for AWHONN’s member nurses and industry partners.

  • Updated layout and typography for Assessment & Care of the Late Preterm Infant 2nd Edition, a training module in both print and interactive PDF formats. Redesigned the Quick Care Guide insert for easier reading. Completed project one month ahead of scheduled deadline.
  • Created an AWHONN/Huggies™ co-branded Diapering That Nurtures brochure for print and digital publications with a reach of over 550,000, and designed online graphics for social media campaigns and partner websites.
  • Designed social media graphics, a SnapChat geofilter, and mobile app graphics for AWHONN’s 2017 National Convention.
  • Designed e-mail, website, and social media campaign graphics for National Nurses Week, AWHONN Membership renewals, women’s health advocacy and legislation, and member webinars.
  • Produced 10 study modules for the Perinatal Orientation and Education Program, Fourth Edition (POEP4),which included screenshots of PowerPoint slides and speaker notes formatted for both print and online use. Also created course manuals for both instructors and participants. My contribution allowed the team to produce the product ahead of the expected launch date.
  • Updated layout, typography, and visual designs for various AWHONN marketing products including email banners, donor appreciation cards, trade show information displays, and informational program flyers.

Designer, Photographer, and Brand Specialist

rubicat.com (self-employed)
Sep 2003 – present

Launched rubicat.com in 2003 to design logos, print and digital products, and social media profiles for a range of customers from micro-business to large corporations.

  • Created new training modules for an online Social Media Professional certification, with updated information reflecting trends for 2017. (I received a perfect score on the exam in 2015.)
  • Tripled a veterinary clinic’s client base in three years through a website redesign and community marketing outreach. Grew monthly website traffic from 100 to over 1,500 (average) within 3 years.
  • Designed a website and printed marketing materials for a small Cape Cod bed and breakfast, integrating an updated brand and photography to attract a younger, more professional audience. The Inn’s owners were impressed:

“…our site had brought an overwhelming amount of business. Everyone comments on the site and our numbers have been much higher than we ever anticipated thanks to it. Just wanted to say thanks for building a site which so many people find appealing.”

  • Use reporting tools (Facebook, WordPress, Google Analytics) or diagnostic tools (Google Webmaster, HubSpot) to measure customer engagement trends.
  • Establish, develop, and maintain customer social media profiles, providing direction on strategies and target goals; teach customers how to integrate social media into their business plan.
  • Create and lead one-on-one or workgroup training sessions on PowerPoint, social media, blogging, and personal brand development.

Projects:

PRINT BROCHURE
Lowe, Hauptman & Ham, LLC, 2014
— Designed a new brochure, changing the format to an 8.5×11 bifold instead of a standard trifold brochure, allowing the brochure to hold additional materials.
— Designed layout and selected images, colors, and other visual elements; created Fee Schedule inserts that matched visual design and brand of brochure.
— Delivered the new brochure quickly to the team, limiting rounds of edits, meeting budget needs, and expediting the print and delivery process to meet international deadlines.

BRAND, DESIGN, AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Boston Circus Guild, 2008–2012
— Provided direction for re-brand of the organization’s website and new print marketing products.
— Designed a new print brochure, postcard, business cards, and digital flyers. Reviewed and edited content, and selected all images and visual elements for the products.
— Photographed performers and events for use in printed and electronic products; created and managed a library of images and digital assets.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER
LifeLine Systems, 2004–2007
— Designed advertising and marketing products for use in trade journals, conferences, symposia, and member hospitals, ensuring adherence to visual styles and brand.
— Designed a wide range of tradeshow and promotional products customized for over 100 member hospitals, ensuring brand and visual consistency for both Lifeline and member hospitals.
— Redesigned printed products, creating new InDesign templates and importing Quark Xpress files to the new formats. Reviewed and edited products to update visual standards and brand when company was acquired and became Phillips Lifeline in 2007.

BRAND, GRAPHIC DESIGN, WEBSITE
City Cats Veterinary Clinic, 2003–2007
— Designed a new website and printed marketing products to update and improve overall brand ; surpassed growth targets by increasing customer base by 300%.
— Provided strategic direction on social media integration, SEO, and community outreach, resulting in an increase of monthly website traffic from 100 to over 1,500 within two years.

Publications:

  • Photographer, Smitten Kitten: I’m Too Swanky for my Catnip (Barnes & Noble, 2007).
  • Photographer for 14 titles in Your Happy Healthy Pet book series (Wiley/Howell, 2004–2008), including two cover credits: Your Happy Healthy Pet: Guinea Pig (2005) and Bulldog (2008).

Brand Execution & Production Specialist (Media Specialist III)

Northern Virginia Community College, Workforce Development
Aug 2014 – Jan 2016

Developed graphic designs, content marketing assets, and print and electronic media for Northern Virginia Community College’s Workforce Development Division, tailoring message and design for assigned market segments (adult learners, veterans, career switchers, and corporate customers).

  • Designed and launched Corporate Performance Solutions, a full-color catalog that advertised customized contract training programs. Selected all images, colors, and other visual elements; designed layout; reviewed and edited all content to ensure accuracy and compliance with brand and visual standards, and distributed final product in both print and e-book formats.
  • Designed integrated print and digital marketing campaigns, PowerPoint sales presentations, video ads, and tradeshow materials for Workforce outreach efforts.
  • Researched and published blog articles discussing regional economic and workforce trends.
  • Increased social media outreach and brand awareness for Workforce programs.
  • Provided strategic direction on social selling concepts to colleagues, teaching staff how to develop a personal brand, launch effective media campaigns, and create content for social media profiles.
  • Created and led a successful workshop on Collaborative Partnerships at a state-wide higher education conference for Virginia’s Community Colleges in December 2015. Provided overall concept, design, and content for presentation and worksheets, and led a team of 3 presenters to create a cohesive workshop.
  • Designed a new PowerPoint template for staff to use for lectures, briefings, and sales presentations.
  • Designed displays and materials for conferences and symposia, including Leadercast, campus career fairs, PMI-DC, Virginia Community College System’s “Hire Ed” conference, and Governor McAuliffe’s 2015 Latino Summit.

Founder, cavymadness.com

cavymadness.com
1999–present

Created and launched a website and online store of self-designed products in 1999, offering a beginner’s pen pal program and learning portal for responsible guinea pig care. Grew a diverse international community through MailChimp campaigns and Facebook.

  • Launched an online shop in 2000, with commissioned art and products I designed and created for guinea pig enthusiasts.
  • Grew a Facebook community of 4,500+ followers with a monthly reach of over 8,000 and a monthly engagement rate of over 2,000.
  • Produce a monthly  e-newsletter sent to 1,000+ subscribers with a consistent 30%+ click-through rate.
  • Launched Pignic Central, a sister site promoting Meetup-style gatherings, with a Facebook community of 1,700+.

“CavyMadness.com is a beautifully-built site for an animal that not many people give a second thought to (the guinea pig)… One person I know actually began to keep guinea pigs as a result of having read Tammy’s website, which she created to help close the gap between cavy sites which were too poorly-written and those which were too technically-written. In having a go-to place for information that’s accessible (not only via internet, but intellectually, as well) by so many, she’s created a community.” (Linkedin recommendation)

Associate Graphics Artist

Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Feb 2013 – Jan 2014

  • Designed and edited broadcast-ready graphics for online newscasts featuring sports updates, standings, and statistics for D.C.-area teams.
  • Created infographics and electronic media products consistent with both Monumental and team brand identities.
  • Updated text content for AfterEffects files used in special report segments.
  • Using Photoshop’s Mask function, isolated images of Capitals and Wizards team members to be used for alpha-channel broadcast graphics.

Desktop Publisher

Custom Learning Designs (Belmont, MA)
May 2012 – Jan 2013

  • Developed graphic designs, layouts and typography for medical training publications using Microsoft Word, InDesign, and Quark XPress.
  • Developed and edited PowerPoint slides for use in training presentations and conferences.
  • Collaborated with editors, artists, and writers to ensure accuracy in visual standards, grammar, and branding guidelines for customers.
  • Prepared training modules for both print and electronic media (eBook) products.

Brand Manager and Designer

Arlington Community Network (Arlington, MA)
Nov 2009 – Aug 2010

  • Designed and managed overall brand for a “local first” initiative with a reach of 43,000 town residents.
  • Designed initial website, collaborating with Web developer team for site and organization launch.
  • Developed graphic design and overall brand; created printed and electronic files for briefings, presentations, and all products.
  • Worked with board members to create and review raw content for incorporation into website and all printed products.
  • Designed, managed, and produced a monthly Town Calendar printed publication, which featured Town of Arlington news and business information and unfolded to a 17×22 poster of Town-wide event listings; managed content, images, layout, and production.

Graphics Specialist | Team Manager

Braun Consulting (Boston, MA)
Jan 1999 – Oct 2002

  • Designed presentations, brochures, tradeshow materials, and marketing collateral for customers; provided printed materials for company events, including flyers, certificates, and employee awards as directed.
  • Managed a creative team of 5 production artists; managed project workflows, staff training, design team budget, and company brand awareness. Reviewed and edited final staff presentations to ensure accuracy and adherence to brand and visual standards.
  • Developed and presented PowerPoint training sessions for company staff, providing instruction on basic PowerPoint skills, new brand guidelines, and standard operating procedures.
  • Developed a 12-page recruitment catalog and full-color inserts; photographed original images for the publication.
  • Served as the company photographer, creating photo albums that were used to complement recruitment efforts.

Production Artist and Graphic Designer

Aquent / MacTemps
Jan 1997 – Dec 1998

  • Created PowerPoint presentations, print materials, and publications for customers.
  • Member of 12-person Partner Program launch, created for highly-skilled talent.

Communications and Production Assistant

University Children’s Foundation, University of Minnesota
Sep 1994 – Sep 1996

  • Provided copywriting, editing, and design assistance for special events, direct mail campaigns, and marketing campaigns.
  • Managed direct mail campaigns, student interns, and event volunteers.
  • Member of the Department of Pediatrics’ Website Committee, which set up the Department’s first web page.

education

B.A., English (Communications/Media)
College of Charleston, SC (1988–1993)

  • Writing Lab consultant and Writing Across the Curriculum conference panelist.
  • Writer and photographer for yearbook and student newspaper.
  • Flyer, banner, and ad designer for campus organizations.
  • Visitor guide for the College, City of Charleston, and Spoleto Arts Festival.
  • Lifetime member, Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity.

professional development