Donna G.
Digital Designer/ Marketing
Profile
Accomplished and highly creative Senior Digital Designer demonstrating superior performance and expert-level skills in the development of branded marketing and communication strategies and compelling designs for digital, social, web, e-commerce, events, presentations, print, packaging and more across service- and product-based B2B and B2C businesses, resellers and institutions available for freelance, remote, part-time or full-time work with a progressive company.
Key Skills & Competencies
Active listener and fast learner. Able to think on my feet and respond quickly to creative challenges. Accustomed to working with clients, vendors, teams and end users. Resilient, self-motivated, positive and friendly with a focus on empowerment, process and completing projects on-time and within budget.
Highly advanced skills and talent designing branded content for digital, web, print and social media.
Expert competencies in Adobe Creative Suite including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and more.
Highly proficient at planning, designing, developing and maintaining WordPress websites and integrating plugins and applications to extend functionality and fulfill marketing goals and objectives.
Highly skilled at social media marketing and design as well as content creation and account setup for Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and more.
Experienced working in Joomla, SquareSpace, Wix, Weebly and able to learn most any CMS or web builder. Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS.
Experienced working in WPEngine, Godaddy, Hostgater and other managed WordPress hosting accounts.
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) as well as all Google applications.
Expert at communicating complex data visually and designing branded infographics and assets for web, digital and social media.
Expert at designing MailChimp and Constant Contact e-communications.
Experienced creating and editing short promotional videos for B2C using Adobe CS, iPhoto and iMovie.
Highly proficient with WP-Client CRM software and e-commerce applications and tools such as Eventbrite, WooCommerce, Squareup, Paypal, Storenvy and more.
Professional Experience
Senior Graphic & Web Designer, Donna Gentile Creative, New Hartford, CT 15+ years
Provides graphic, brand and web design and has worked with Advocacy Unlimited, B Restaurants (Plan B Burger Bar), Bullhorn Media, Capital Community College, The Children's Museum, Circle Media, Critical Edge Group, CT Health Foundation, Dinosaur State Park, Durham Group, Farmington River Financial Group, Farmington Valley Health District, Galata Chemicals, Global Test Equipment, Mintz & Hoke, Programs for Social Change, Ray Charles Jr., Safe & Together Institute, Saxe Doernberger & Vita PC, United Way and more.
Through a brand, collateral and website redesign, I helped Safe & Together Institute (formerly David Mandel & Associates, LLC) triple in size and transform from a small, local business into a global company serving North America, Asia Pacific and Europe.
Since the redesign of the Plan B Burger Bar brand, logo and identity system in 2010, Plan B has grown from a small company with two Connecticut locations to a bold leader in the hospitality industry bolstering nine locations across Connecticut and in Springfield, MA, Washington DC and Ashburn, VA.
Logo and identity design, comprehensive branding and marketing strategy helped Farmington Valley Health District win a grant in 2017 for $200,000 from the Prevention Institute for their “Resilience Grows Here” (RGH) mental health initiative for veterans and community.
Freelance Senior Designer, Durham Group, Farmington, CT 3 months
Provided art direction, conceptual design, content creation, mechanical production and vendor liaison for print digital and web projects for the following accounts: CT Health Annual Report, Education First fundraising event, ChinaCare fundraising event, Somnio and more.
Art & Photography Instructor, The Cobb School Montessori, Simsbury, CT 1 year
Developed and instructed art courses for students aged 5-6 and photography courses for students aged 9-10 and 11-12, and also organized a student art show.
Account Executive, Artist Representative, Toti.Rose Design, Collinsville, CT 3 years
Developed, designed and performed sales, marketing, advertising and publicity initiatives. Presented design portfolio and provided design support. Maintained and tracked database systems. Met and corresponded with clients to oversee creative projects. Served as vendor liaison and performed press approvals.
Graphic Designer, Production Coordinator, Group Four Design, Avon, CT 3 years
Designed packaging systems, collateral and identity standards. Prepared digital mechanicals for print. Developed, implemented, trained and monitored production processes and guidelines. Performed press approvals and vendor liaison. Managed, calibrated and maintained computer systems.
Junior Designer, Broughton Jacques Design & Advertising Agency, Manchester, England 3 months
Collaborated with art directors, senior designers and copywriters to develop advertising solutions from concepts to finished visuals. Designed and illustrated logos, brochures and posters. Wrote ad copy.
Community Experience
Workshop Leader, Community Mandala Project (initiative) by Donna Gentile, New Hartford, CT
Designs, develops and teaches art enrichment experiences to inspire and empower people, communities and brands. Has worked with Advocacy Unlimited, AIM for a Better Tomorrow, The Bushnell of Hartford, CancerCare, Catalyst Foundation, CT Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS), The Connecticut Women's Consortium, Cut Out Cancer, Farmington Valley Health District, Hartford Performs, schools (K-12), senior and assisted living centers, recovery clubhouses, veterans and more.
Steering Committee member, Resilience Grows Here, a veteran’s mental health initiative by FVHD 1 year
Provided creative input and helped steer the direction of planning for events, goals and objectives.
Education
Bachelor’s degree – Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT
Other Experience/Awards/Publications
Photography published in ARTIS, The Republican American and The Winsted Journal.
Poetry published in Voices Along The River Anthology and ARTIS Magazine.
Original music published on Music is Medicine EP, The Thriver Workbook Companion CD and Friday Night at LaSalle compilation CD.
Awarded first place in illustration at CCSU student art show.