Objective:
To pursue design communication in contexts both academic and applied. To teach at the university level while engaging in personal research and continuing to create quality design work for clients through BlueJay Creative.
Education:
M.F.A. Communication Design, May 2011
Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana
4.0 on 51 hours
B.S. Interactive Media, Graphic Design Minor, May 2004
Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas
3.98 on 134 hours
Semester abroad in Florence, Italy, Fall 2001
Harding University in Florence
Experience:
Visiting Assistant Professor, Centenary College, Shreveport, LA
August 2011 - present
- Teaching introductory and advanced classes in communication and new media design
- Assisting in the creation of Node, a Living Learning Community focusing on the intersection of technology, design, and social change
Owner and principal designer, BlueJay Creative, Shreveport, LA
February 2009 - present
- Transitioned freelance graphic design into full-time graphic design business
- Expanded services to include website and e-newsletter design
- Continue to provide identity and print design services to expanding list of clients
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA
September 2009 - present
- Sole instructor for the junior and senior-level Advertising Campaign class, Winter 2011
- Taught two of five units in the Introduction to Communication Design class, Spring 2010
- Created and taught digital design assignments for students in the Introductory Design class
- Aided professors with grading and in-class critiques of student work in five different classes
Advertising & Publications Manager, Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau, Shreveport, LA
November 2004 - February 2009
- Responsible for in-house publications, media buying, and public relations with national and local media
- Recurring design projects included newsletters, calendar of events, direct mail, news releases, and special campaigns
- Helped spear-head a re-branding of cities of Shreveport and Bossier, Louisiana
- Managed $250,000 annual print advertising budget
Freelance Graphic Designer, Shreveport, LA
May 2004 - January 2009
Projects include but are not limited to:
- Created identity/collateral material for multiple clients in the document management industry
- Designed direct mail and ePostcard packages for destination clients across the United States, including Fort Lauderdale, FL, Galveston, TX, and Scottsdale, AZ, to name a few
- Created comprehensive identity system and collateral for churches/church events
Web Graphic Design Summer Internship, Machinery Wholesale Supply, Austin, TX
June - August 2003
- Designed identity, logo, stationery, and website for local forklift company aspiring to go global
- Worked with a professional programmer, gaining experience with JSPs and servers
Professor’s Assistant, Harding University, Searcy, AR
January 2002 - May 2004
- Graded papers and aided in organization of files for professor of Bible and Religion
- Designed course packets, business cards, and department brochures
Exhibitions
Master of Fine Arts Thesis Show
Bellocq Gallery, Louisiana Tech University; May 2011.
Art from the G.U.T. Show
Enterprise Center, Ruston, Louisiana; February 2011.
The Student Show
Bellocq Gallery, Louisiana Tech University; February 2011.
A Saucer Full of Secrets
Thousand Words Studio and Gallery, Ruston, Louisiana; May 2010.
The Student Show
Bellocq Gallery, Louisiana Tech University; April 2010.
Master of Fine Arts Exhibit
Enterprise Center, Ruston, Louisiana; January 2010.
National Association of Schools of Art and Design Exhibition
Bellocq Gallery, Louisiana Tech University; October 2009.
Artist Book Exhibition
Ruston Public Library, Ruston, Louisiana. July 2009.
Scholarly Presentations
Watch Your Language - In Progress
Turner Art Center, Centenary College; April 18, 2011.
Watch Your Language
Visual Arts Center, Louisiana Tech University; May 9, 2011.
Honors
2011 - Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Inductee
2011 - Best of Print Overall Award, American Ad Federation - Shreveport-Bossier Chapter
2011 - Two Gold Addy® Awards, American Ad Federation - Shreveport-Bossier Chapter
2011 - Honorable Mention for Body of Work, The Student Show, Louisiana Tech University
2010 - Two Silver Addy® Awards, American Ad Federation - Shreveport-Bossier Chapter
2010 - Best of Graduate Submissions, The Student Show, Louisiana Tech University
2008 - Earned Travel Marketing Professional Certification from Southeast Tourism Society
2004 - Graduated Honors with Distinction, Harding University
2004 - Interactive Media Student of the Year, Harding University Communications Department
2004 - First Place Brass Ring Award for Graphic Design
2003 - Who’s Who in America’s Colleges and Universities
2002 - Alpha Chi National Honor Society Inductee
2001 - American Studies Institute Distinguished Scholar
2000 - One of 40 Honors Scholars at Harding University
2000 - National Merit Scholar
Activities & Memberships
- Second Vice President, American Advertising Federation, Shreveport-Bossier Chapter
- Community Leaders Program, Louisiana Association of Non-Profit Organizations, 2011
- American Institute of Graphic Arts, 2009 - present
- Honors College, 2000 - 2004
- Vice President, 2003 - 2004
- Junior Class Representative, 2002-2003
Skills
- Podcast and RSS feed management
- Vinyl cutter and Laser cutter experience
- Bookmaking and binding techniques
- Screenprinting
- Photography: Digital SLR camera & scanning equipment proficiency
- Copywriting
- News release writing
- Budget management
- Media buying
- Proficiency in both PC and Mac operating systems
Software Proficiency:
- Illustrator CS5
- Photoshop CS5
- InDesign CS5
- Dreamweaver CS5 / HTML 5 / CSS3
- Flash CS5 / Actionscript 3
- Wordpress
- Processing (programming language for visual artists)
- Quark Xpress
- Microsoft Word 2008
- Microsoft PowerPoint 2008
- Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro
References:
Professional and academic references are available upon request. Contact me at 318-780-8198 or jessica@bluejaycreative.com.
