Designers Think, LLC is a graphic design company whose mission is to create compelling designs and marketing solutions for a diverse clientele. I specialize in logo design and printed materials but am a full-service company also meeting your digital needs. Celebrating over 40 years in the graphic design industry, I have accumulated a wide variety of experience. What follows is an overview of those accomplishments.
DESIGNERS THINK formerly DESIGNER’S INK | August 1982 – present
Jacksonville, Illinois
Freelance Graphic Designer providing a variety of graphic design services to a diverse clientele.
THE URBANA FREE LIBRARY | October 2000 – August 2018
Urbana, Illinois
Graphic Services Manager in charge of a full-service art department for a public library. Responsibilities included creating original art for large format displays, print media, and the web. Accountable for maintaining the visual integrity of the library. Supervision of a part-time graphic artist/web designer, plus freelance artists, contractors, interns, and volunteers.
Special projects managed while at The Urbana Free Library include:
Donor Recognition Program
Designed plaques and brass lettering to recognize the donors contributing to a 2.5 million dollar capital improvement project. Managed a $30,000 budget for the donor recognition program and completed it under the set amount. Designed and managed the production of a leather-bound Gift Registry. Worked directly with the Foundation Board and its designated subcommittees, Capital Campaign Manager, and contractors.
Foundation Fundraising Campaigns
Created, implemented, and administered various fundraising campaigns, working directly with the Foundation Board and its assigned subcommittees.
Redesign and Reconstruction of the library’s website, (multiple iterations)
Coordinated workflow between all departments of the library, administration, the Foundation, and the Friends while implementing a content management system with a sub-contractor.
Administer Conservation of Fine Art / Sensitive Archival Materials
Manage the restoration of various library fine art holdings through The Chicago Conservation Center. Included: obtaining appraisals of artwork, the signing of contracts, organizing the transport of sensitive materials, managing project workflow, and budgeting directly with the Foundation.
The Friends of The Urbana Free Library
Work with the Friends fulfilling their promotional and graphic design needs.
SPURLOCK MUSEUM | July 1999 – August 2000
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
Graphic Design Volunteer providing support to the Design and Education Departments at the museum. One-year agreement.
Educational websites designed:
LARRY KANFER PHOTOGRAPHY, LTD | April 1998 – June 1999
Champaign, Illinois
Part-time Designer responsible for the advertising and collateral materials used to promote Mr. Kanfer’s photographic artwork.
PERFORMANCE, INC. | February 1987 – April 1992
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Art Director, Performance Diver Catalog | August 1990 – April 1992
Responsible for design and production of four, full-color catalogs per year. Supervision of four designers.
Assistant Art Director, Performance, Inc. | January 1989 – August 1990
Assisted Director in the production of six, full-color Performance Bicycle catalogs per year. Supervision of two designers.
Retail Advertising Coordinator, Bitech, Inc. | February 1988 – January 1989
Created and administered advertising materials for 12 retail stores located throughout the United States.
Graphic Designer, Performance, Inc. | February 1987 – February 1988
Fulfilled design tasks administered by the Art Director.
THE PHOENIX GROUP | October 1986 – February 1987
Raleigh, North Carolina
Graphic Designer at a full-service advertising agency.
RICHARD NEWMAN ASSOCIATES | April 1985 – June 1986
Champaign, Illinois
Half-time Graphic Designer at a full-service advertising agency.
FLYING TOMATO, INC. | August 1982 – March 1984
Champaign, Illinois
Assistant to Advertising Director and Graphic Artist at an in-house art department for a pizza chain. Received a CHAAMP Award (Champaign-Urbana Advertising Awards of Merit Program), on behalf of Flying Tomato, Inc. in 1983 for an advertisement I illustrated and designed.
Mac and PC Environments
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, Illinois
CUDO, Champaign-Urbana Design Organization | 2009 – present
Champaign, Illinois
American Advertising Federation | 2006 – 2009
Central Illinois Member
Champaign-Urbana Ad Club | 1982 – 1986; 1997 – 2008
Champaign, Illinois
Monticello Jr. Woman’s Club | 1994 – 2000
Monticello, Illinois