Kristen The Designer

a little bit about Me

I'm Kristen, a print and web designer. Feel free to peruse around, and contact me for your next project.

Hi!

Good design starts with good ideas. It is the idea of building great designs that brings everything else together. And it fuels the passion that enables me to help make a difference in the lives of my clients.. A graphic designer has' two roles we must full-fill: “One is rooted in history and semiotics and problem solving. The other is more rooted in the liberal arts – painting, figurative arts, advertising, trends, and fashions. These are really two different avenues . . . one side is the structured side, the other is the emotional side.” --Massimo Vignelli

With these two roles we must call our audience to act, to involve themselves, and ultimately to see beyond what they see everyday. Essentially I am problem solver. I was born to be an artist, from an early age I was rarely seen without a pencil and sketch pad. My first attempt at painting was to paint my cat, Fred. At the University of Central Arkansas, I discovered my love of design and using my creativity to tell a story or convey something new. I bring a creative passion and use a visual language to call the audience to action and involvement. I love what I do and my first goal is to make creative and successful designs that carry something behind them.

Recent Work History

Graphic Artist
3/2010 - Present Vestcom International, Little Rock, Arkansas
Oversee the day-to-day operations of our Durst 500r, a 16ft muliti-queue, multi-roll high speed printer. Produced signage materials on various media for our client such as Target, Walgreens, and Kroger. Maintained the printer and designed one offs for speicals or limited run signage.

Principal Graphic Designer
11/2009 - 3/2010 Signs Now, Little Rock, Arkansas
Production Design to serve the needs of clients with quality, custom, and effective advertising materials using various materials and techniques. Demonstrated competency with latest graphic design software programs. Designed signage and printed materials to fit the client's needs ranging from vehicle wraps, banners, and other sign requirements based on client.

Principal Graphic Designer
6/2006 - 11/2009 Sign-A-Rama, Sherwood, Arkansas
Print, Web and Production Design to serve the needs of clients with quality, custom, and effective advertising materials using various materials and techniques. Demonstrated competency with latest graphic design software programs. Designed signage and printed materials to fit the client's needs ranging from vehicle wraps, LED, banners, web, and other sign requirements based on client. I was responsible for negotiating the purchase of outside services (e.g. printing, mailing, etc.); maintain a network of suppliers; solicit print bids; and oversee the timely turnaround and approval of all printing proofs. Also responsible for maintaining electronic art files and designing and implementing all electronic and printed advertising for the company included email newsletters, mailings, etc.

E-Newsletter Consultant
4/2009 - 4/2009 SOME (So Others Might Eat),Washington, DC
Help in employment a E-Newsletter designed for easy and quick editing of articles to help both the writer and the reader. Designed a grid that allows for more information to be presented in a way that doesn't overwhelm the view. I also compressed some of the CSS of a previous designer to allow for easier loading and updating of the newsletter.

Design/ Brand Consultant
2/2009 - Present Blackbird Academy of the Arts,Conway, Arkansas
Print, Web, and Promotional Design for a Fine Arts Academy for young and adult students. Currently working on a design and logo standard to brand the academy and develop a promotional campaign. Will soon develop a web site and environmental design for the location.