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• Over 17 years of experience in the Chicago area designing a variety of successful and innovative communications and packaging for large global organizations and small businesses.
• Strong creative and technical aptitude. Expert knowledge of Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Quark.
• Resolves problems under pressure and completes projects on budget and on time in professional, fast-paced environments.

Freelance Art Director/Designer, 2000 to present

Comvigo, Burr Ridge, IL - Internet Security Software Development and Sales

Winter 2006 to present.

Concept, art direction, design and branding of packaging.

The Modesty Zone - Informal Online Community of Young Women

Winter 2006 to present.

Concept, art direction, design and branding of merchandise.  View online store here.

The Manolo - Shoe Blogger, Fashion Guru, Columnist, Flaneur

Fall 2005 to present.

Concept, art direction, design and branding of merchandise and promotions.  View online store here.

FONA International, Inc., Geneva, IL - Independent Flavor House

Summer 2005 to present.

Concept, art direction, design and branding of marketing collateral, promotions and prototype packaging.

Neuros Audio, Chicago, IL - Producer of Cutting Edge Consumer Electronics

Fall 2004 to present.

Concept, art direction and design for packaging and marketing collateral.

Digital Innovations, Arlington Heights, IL - Product Solutions for Consumer Electronics

Fall 2004 to present.

Concept, art direction and design for packaging and marketing collateral.

MLR Design, Chicago, IL - Package Design Consultancy

Fall/ Winter 2000-2001 and Summer 2002 - present.

Design and production of packaging for frozen, canned, bottled and dry foods, as well as housewares and candy.

Accenture, Chicago, IL - Management and Technology Consulting Services and Solutions

Fall/Winter 2004 to present

Concept, art direction and design for animated and static business models.

Paterno Wines International, Bannockburn, IL - Wine Producer and Marketer

Spring/ Summer 2004.

Creative direction, art direction and design of packaging, promotional and collateral materials for their various wine brands.

Vtech Industries, Glenview, IL - Manufacturer of Telephones and Electronic Toys

Winter 2002 and Fall 2004.

Implementing the Vtech brand in designs for three dimensional packaging for electronic toys.

Cormark, Inc., Des Plaines , IL - Point of Purchase Displays and Signage

Summer 2002 to Spring 2004.

Designing packaging prototypes, graphics for POP displays for Nike, Menards, Lowes, Home Depot and direct mail and collateral materials. Provided creative direction for redesign of website.

Comark, Bloomingdale, IL - Information Technology Resellers and Consultants

Fall 2001

Created branding standards and redesigned catalog layout. Saved costs by using internal staff and resources to create layout distinctive from competition. Ensured standardization of their brand across all of their communications and campaigns.

United Airlines, Elk Grove Village, IL - International Airline

2000 - 2001

Increased internal client base by creating dynamic concepts and designs for a variety of projects (i.e., advertisements, brochures, posters, newsletters, subidentities, etc.). Ensured proper use of their brand and collaborated with Pentagram to revise brand guidelines. Clients commented: "I can say without hesitation that Mary provided quality designs that met our expectations and provided the look and feel we wanted." and "We rarely had to make any changes to her concepts."

Ackerly and Associates, Corporate Communications Design Firm

Fall 2000

Designed promotional materials for telecom client and managed projects in principal's absence. Designed several promotional pieces that were well received and completed on budget and on time. Also worked on concepts and design of company identity.

Full-time Employment

Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), Management and Technology Consulting Services and Solutions

Art Director/Designer, 1988 - 2000

Member of two teams that established an internal marketing group and a global knowledge management program. Created and worked with an international client base at all levels. Designed intranet web sites that were the foundation of new knowledge management program for theirfinancial practice. Created concepts and designs, both print and electronic, that played key role in winning major engagements for over 11 years.

Other Employment History

1987 - 1988 Casual Corner - Merchandiser and Sales Associate

1986 - 1987 Realty World Fox - Sales Associate

1984 - 1986 J. Walter Thompson - Account and Print Production Administrative Assistant

Education and Training

Winter 2000 Arthur Andersen - Dreamweaver and Flash Training

Design using Photoshop, Illustrator and Director

1994-1995 Evanston Art Center - Photography

1989-1990 American Academy of Art, Chicago - Life Drawing,

1987-1988 Northern Illinois University - Graphic and Electronic Design

1980-1984 University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign - B.S. Finance

References available upon request.