Sam Smith
Graphic Designer
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About My Design Experience
I graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Journalism in May 2022. I am a diligent and enthusiastic graphic designer with a strong background in visual communication. Due to my education in both design and journalism I am very skilled in ensuring that my design work is both visually pleasing and gets it’s message across very well. I also minored in Sociology and Political Science in University. My sociology background ensures that I can create designs for a very wide variety of audiences as I have a deep understanding of many different groups of people. My background in Political Science has given me an advantage in designing for politics, as well as a deeper understanding of how to get messages and advertisements to stick with their audience. Since graduating from Ball State in 2022, I have worked both freelance and in-house as a designer. While my main experience is with print design, I am also well versed in web design and social media design. I also love learning new things and welcome every opportunity I can get to grow my skills and increase my knowledge in this industry.
Career Experience
Freelance Graphic Designer
December 2021 - Present
Graphic Designer | McMillen Health
July 2022 - March 2023
Graphic Design Intern | Animal Rescue Fund (ARF)
January 2022 - May 2022
Graphic Designer | Ball State Sociology Department
September 2021 - May 2022
Associate Creative Director | ByteBSU Entertainment Magazine
February 2019 - May 2020
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Work directly with clients to develop branding kits that reflect their mission and purpose.
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Ability to balance multiple priorities, such as full time work and school, while still meeting hard deadlines with clients.
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Provide prompt customer support with a professional, friendly, and patient attitude
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Set and maintained the branding image of the organization. Accomplished this by creating a branding guide for the organization and for their main product, Brush.
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Created, managed, and revised contracted projects, marketing, and communication pieces including but not limited to: print; web pages; social media; and digital works.
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Implemented a more efficient workflow process that allowed all members of the creative services team to speed up their productivity, cutting off an average of 2 days on projects.
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Aided in setting and maintaining the branding image of the organization.
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Increased the amount of materials educating donors about how their money and resources were benefiting the organization and furthering their mission.
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Curated content across three social channels, ensuring a cohesive online brand identity.
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Developed an official branding style for the department to help them stand alone from the University.
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Promoted the department through various printed materials throughout campus using both Ball State’s official branding styles and the branding style of the department itself.
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Aided in the creation of content for the sociology department’s Instagram and TikTok.
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Redesigned their podcast graphic templates and created new logos for all podcasts that were running at the time.​
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Oversaw a team of 15 designers ensuring their works were consistent and that their skills were improving throughout their time at the magazine.
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Maintained brand consistency throughout all graphic elements being developed by the design team at the magazine.
