My Design Background:
I am an award-winning Art Director and graphic designer of a national magazine, with over 20 years of work experience in the media and publishing industry. With a Master's Degree in Media Studies, and an undergraduate degree in Communications, I have excellent knowledge in all aspects of this industry as well as related fields.
I've played many roles in my history in media production, including marketing, advertising, promotions, design, editing and writing for national magazines, magazine publishing, creative art direction, and illustration. I believe this diversity is a benefit to understanding the business, its relation to the public and ultimately my current role as an art director and graphic designer.
I work quickly and efficiently as both a team player and an organized leader, and I’m able to juggle multiple projects at one time. I pride myself in never having missed a deadline and am always up for a challenge! I’m technically savvy in Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, InDesign, as well as most other graphic design software. I keep up with the latest trends in the business and maintain and update my knowledge and skills as technology progresses.
Currently, I am looking to advance my opportunities in the freelance design market. Thank you for the opportunity to show you my work and for taking time to read my lengthy cover letter!
Tanya Back
Highlights:
- Master's Degree in Media Studies, with emphasis in production.
- Over 20 years experience in graphic design, layout and print production.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Creative, energetic and boiling over with ideas!
Experience:
Art Director, Cabin Life Magazine
July 2000 - Present
Responsible for the complete art direction and graphic design of this national, award-winning consumer magazine. Having been part of the
start-up of CL, I handled all aspects of creative direction including:
- Logo design and redesign (7 years later).
- Template design for all features, sections and departments.
- Initial and ongoing design for house advertisements, catalogs, marketing and promotional materials and all outgoing print jobs.
Other responsibilities include:
- Ongoing layout and design of all departments, features and sections.
- Organizing and directing magazine photo shoots.
- Photography, set design, product design.
- Design and layout of advertising for CL.
- Managing art flow with freelance photographers, illustrators and designers.
- Designing covers appearing on national newsstands.
- Photograph editing and color correction.
- Preparing files and submission to production house and printer, including flightchecking, creating pdf's and submission.
- Website design and maintenance.
- Advertisement and Catalog Design
AWARDS INCLUDE OVER 20 MMPA AWARDS for Best Use of Visuals, Best Cover Design, Best Overall Design, Best Media Kit, Best Use of Photography, Best Feature Design, Best Department Design, and more. NATIONAL AWARDS INCLUDE two FOLIO design awards for Best Use of Digital Imagery and Photography.
Freelance Creative Director,
Designer and Writer
1990 - PRESENT
- Design magazines layouts and shoot photography for a variety of magazines including Cabin Life Magazine, Lake Superior Magazine and NBIZ Magazine.
- Designed eBooks, books, covers, brochures, advertisements, postcards, banners, websites, and all things print and web, for numerous clients in all industries including business, manufacturing, real estate, finance, law, medical, human services, children's services, coaches, food and beverage, entertainment industry, self help, fitness and more!
Marketing Designer, Elk Grove Park District
May 1999 - July 2000
Designed promotional print advertisements, marketing support materials, logos, brochures, pamphlets and catalogs for activities, events, services and facilities.
Media Director, APEX Media Solutions
April 1994 - May 1999
Responsible for the development, design and execution of all media packages for a large consumer and corporate client base. Responsibilities included print production, logo identification, layout and design, multimedia production, photography, promotional writing.
Software and Expertise:
MAC: Indesign CS3-5, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Rapidweaver, Excel, Word and more. Software is easy for me to grasp and if I don't know it, I'll learn it fast!
Other skills include photography, studio and location; some illustration; painting; writing; editing.
Education:
M.A., Media Studies. Northern Illinois University, Dekalb IL (May 1993)
B.A., Communications. University of St. Thomas, St. Paul MN (May 1990)
Awards:
Over 20 awards in magazine design including Best Use Of Visuals, Best Overall Design, Best Feature Design, Best Cover, Best Department Design, Overall Excellence in Magazine Publishing, and more.
I am an award-winning Art Director and graphic designer of a national magazine, with over 20 years of work experience in the media and publishing industry. With a Master's Degree in Media Studies, and an undergraduate degree in Communications, I have excellent knowledge in all aspects of this industry as well as related fields.
I've played many roles in my history in media production, including marketing, advertising, promotions, design, editing and writing for national magazines, magazine publishing, creative art direction, and illustration. I believe this diversity is a benefit to understanding the business, its relation to the public and ultimately my current role as an art director and graphic designer.
I work quickly and efficiently as both a team player and an organized leader, and I’m able to juggle multiple projects at one time. I pride myself in never having missed a deadline and am always up for a challenge! I’m technically savvy in Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, InDesign, as well as most other graphic design software. I keep up with the latest trends in the business and maintain and update my knowledge and skills as technology progresses.
Currently, I am looking to advance my opportunities in the freelance design market. Thank you for the opportunity to show you my work and for taking time to read my lengthy cover letter!
Tanya Back
Highlights:
- Master's Degree in Media Studies, with emphasis in production.
- Over 20 years experience in graphic design, layout and print production.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Creative, energetic and boiling over with ideas!
Experience:
Art Director, Cabin Life Magazine
July 2000 - Present
Responsible for the complete art direction and graphic design of this national, award-winning consumer magazine. Having been part of the
start-up of CL, I handled all aspects of creative direction including:
- Logo design and redesign (7 years later).
- Template design for all features, sections and departments.
- Initial and ongoing design for house advertisements, catalogs, marketing and promotional materials and all outgoing print jobs.
Other responsibilities include:
- Ongoing layout and design of all departments, features and sections.
- Organizing and directing magazine photo shoots.
- Photography, set design, product design.
- Design and layout of advertising for CL.
- Managing art flow with freelance photographers, illustrators and designers.
- Designing covers appearing on national newsstands.
- Photograph editing and color correction.
- Preparing files and submission to production house and printer, including flightchecking, creating pdf's and submission.
- Website design and maintenance.
- Advertisement and Catalog Design
AWARDS INCLUDE OVER 20 MMPA AWARDS for Best Use of Visuals, Best Cover Design, Best Overall Design, Best Media Kit, Best Use of Photography, Best Feature Design, Best Department Design, and more. NATIONAL AWARDS INCLUDE two FOLIO design awards for Best Use of Digital Imagery and Photography.
Freelance Creative Director,
Designer and Writer
1990 - PRESENT
- Design magazines layouts and shoot photography for a variety of magazines including Cabin Life Magazine, Lake Superior Magazine and NBIZ Magazine.
- Designed eBooks, books, covers, brochures, advertisements, postcards, banners, websites, and all things print and web, for numerous clients in all industries including business, manufacturing, real estate, finance, law, medical, human services, children's services, coaches, food and beverage, entertainment industry, self help, fitness and more!
Marketing Designer, Elk Grove Park District
May 1999 - July 2000
Designed promotional print advertisements, marketing support materials, logos, brochures, pamphlets and catalogs for activities, events, services and facilities.
Media Director, APEX Media Solutions
April 1994 - May 1999
Responsible for the development, design and execution of all media packages for a large consumer and corporate client base. Responsibilities included print production, logo identification, layout and design, multimedia production, photography, promotional writing.
Software and Expertise:
MAC: Indesign CS3-5, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Rapidweaver, Excel, Word and more. Software is easy for me to grasp and if I don't know it, I'll learn it fast!
Other skills include photography, studio and location; some illustration; painting; writing; editing.
Education:
M.A., Media Studies. Northern Illinois University, Dekalb IL (May 1993)
B.A., Communications. University of St. Thomas, St. Paul MN (May 1990)
Awards:
Over 20 awards in magazine design including Best Use Of Visuals, Best Overall Design, Best Feature Design, Best Cover, Best Department Design, Overall Excellence in Magazine Publishing, and more.