CONTACT

NicoleGarciaDesigns.com
nicolegarciadesigns@gmail.com
224.330.0511

EDUCATION

Columbia College Chicago
BFA in Graphic Design

DESIGN CHOPS

Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, Dreamweaver, Lightroom, Bridge), Canva, Microsoft Office, basic HTML/CSS, basic Figma, stop motion animation/GIFs, food/prop styling

SUPER SKILLS

collaborative team player, strategic creative thinker, problem solver, communicator, multi-tasker, detail oriented, organization, proactive, master chef

Ace Hardware

Oak Brook, IL
June 2024 - January 2025

Senior Graphic Designer
Contract - Remote

• Spearheaded concept and design direction from intake through to delivery of various print and digital communications for their Rewards program, omni-channel campaigns, and style guides.

• Created a digital brand style guide to provide a centralized reference point to maintain consistent branding.

• Concepted and created social media content rooted in strategy for their private label Loud Mouth.

• Prepared for presentations and presented to influence, or pivot, with creative leadership and business partners.

• Pushed concepts and ideas to innovate and evolve the brand that pertained to the identification of critical elements and alternatives to implement the most appropriate solution for various marketing and promotional materials, social media, and innovation projects. 

The Shade Store

Port Chester, NY
Feb 2024 - May 2024

Senior Graphic Designer
Contract - Remote

• Created and designed 2024 product catalog.

• Created and updated marketing materials and presentations for sales and consumer use.

• Managed workload and multiple projects simultaneously, taking them from concept to execution while meeting deadlines.

SRW Agency

Chicago, IL
October 2021 - September 2023

Senior Art Director

• Brainstormed, conceptualized, developed, and executed campaigns and concepts for various CPG brands by collaborating with cross-functional teams to translate marketing objectives and brand guidelines into visually compelling creative material, ensuring they aligned with the brand identity and marketing strategy, achieved goals, drove sales, and delivered results.

• Created and presented campaigns, storyboards, and concepts to clients that reflected strategy and enhanced brand awareness to the brand’s partnerships, products, social media, and online platforms.

• Led and directed the artistic vision for full multi-channel campaigns and creative, ensuring visually engaging designs and the achievement of strategic goals and objectives.

• Created and presented prepro decks for product shoots to clients and provided on-set art direction, hand modeling, and food and prop styling.

• Managed multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, taking them from ideation to execution and ensuring the highest standard of deliverables. 

• Stayed updated and utilized the latest best practices and industry trends to inform and enhance creative. 

Hofseth North America + Wixter Seafood

Rosemont, IL
September 2019 - February 2021

Creative Manager

• Managed and created art direction for Hofseth North America, Wixter Market, and Wixter Seafood. 

• Developed, created, and executed the brand identity, packaging, website, emails, social media, and marketing designs for Wixter Seafood.

• Lead the creative concepting and execution of strategy-driven, visually rich solutions that captivate the target audience, effectively communicate the intended message, and deliver on business goals and objectives. 

• Coordinated and directed external product shoots as well as internally photographed products.

• Created packaging designs, POS materials, presentations, social media graphics, and marketing materials for Hofseth North America, Wixter Market, and Wixter Seafood.

• Worked with outside agencies, vendors, and stakeholders to ensure initiatives and activations exceeded expectations and stayed within established budgets, time frames, and strategy.

• Oversaw a cross-functional team of designers, copywriters, and photographers in the strategic development and execution of creative, ensuring deliverables effectively addressed goals.

• Established and implemented project management and review processes within the company.

US Foods

Rosemont, IL
June 2018 - September 2019

Production/Graphic Designer
Contract

• Collaborated with the lead designer to develop new branding and designs for CHEF’STORE. Designs included in-store signage and marketing materials such as event collateral, product catalogs, coupons, billboards, mailers, and various digital ads.

• Created print and digital assets for Fall 2019 Scoop magazine, including catalogs, toolkits, recipe books, event signage, and marketing materials.

• Worked seamlessly, with speed, accuracy, and efficiency, to produce same-day deliverables while managing a high volume of projects.

• Utilized typography, photography, and other elements to create cohesive and branded assets across all print and digital materials for numerous sub-brands. 

MSRF, Inc.

Chicago, IL
May 2016 - July 2016

Graphic/Packaging Designer
Contract

• Created dielines, designs, and print-ready artwork for seasonal specialty food packaging.

• Developed concept designs as well as physical and digital product mock-ups for use in client meetings.

High Sierra

(a subsidiary of Samsonite)

Vernon Hills, IL
June 2015 - May 2016

Graphic Design Intern

• I worked alongside the Creative Director and Art Director in designing and updating various print collateral pieces for product packaging, hang tags, sell sheets, catalogs, and trade show graphics.

• Spearheaded designs for giveaways on social media to promote brand awareness.

• Actively researched industry trends to bring new ideas and applications to designs.

Chicago Twenty Something

Chicago, IL
September 2013 - May 2016

Lead Graphic Designer

• Developed and managed all aspects of digital design needs for the company.

• Created logos, flyers, brochures, business cards, digital advertisements, and banners to effectively promote and market events.

• Successfully created, branded, and maintained graphics for 20+ event websites.

• Managed a high-volume workload within a deadline-driven environment.