experience

My range of design and brand expertise allows me to provide a consistent style and message across print and digital media with a focused dedication to collaboration, efficiency, and accuracy. As a brand champion I develop and support effective brand strategies with skills in digital and print design, copywriting, editing, social media, photography, and content marketing. With more than 25 years of experience in production and design, I have talent and enthusiasm for “big picture creative.”

skills

Visual design, layout, print production, newsletters, social media, typography, photography, photo editing, and brand identity. Exceptional writing and editing skills.

  • Adobe Creative Cloud: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat.
  • Microsoft: Word, PowerPoint.
  • Social Media: Campaigns, email newsletters, community engagement.
  • Proficient in Canva, Adobe Firefly, and basic generative AI.

awards

  • Strategic Communications Team award, Abt Global, 2019
  • Certificate of Appreciation: contributions for offices during relocation, Abt Global, 2018
  • Certificate of Recognition: High Work Ethic and Dedication, Northern Virginia Community College, 2015
  • Certificate of Recognition: Corporate Performance Solutions contract training catalog,
    Northern Virginia Community College, 2015
  • Pet Photography Reader’s Choice, Beantown Tails Magazine, Boston, 2008–2010
  • Finalist, Photographer’s Forum Spring Photography Contest, 2007
  • Annual Award for Teamwork, Braun Consulting, 1999
  • Leadership Development Award, Braun Consulting, 2000

history 

Senior Graphic Designer

Abt Global
Sep 2017–Jul 2024

Developed and designed internal communications for Abt’s global offices, adhering to brand standards and creating new sub-brands as needed; supported global conference presentations (posters, slide decks); provided design support for company-wide initiatives; developed branded print and digital materials for internal staff including posters and event signage, icons, templates, infographics, and quarterly CEO presentations.

  • Developed branded print and digital materials for global executive staff including posters, event signage, icons, templates, infographics, and Board of Directors/CEO presentations.
  • Created event assets for internal workshops and training, including event posters, reference guides, table displays, and promotional and award items.
  • Designed conference posters, print materials, and digital assets for Abt’s business partners, including government organizations (USAID, CDC, EPA, etc.) and international conferences and forums such as COP28.
  • Created logos and assets for internal Employee Networking Groups, including Black at Abt, Disability Pride at Abt, SOMOS Abt, and others.
  • Created in-office signage to help staff return to offices safely during the COVID-19 pandemic; updated signs as required to reflect additional guidelines, openings/closings, and staff/visitor needs.
  • Designed and published weekly content for digital screens in global offices, including public lobby videos and staff café internal messaging; converted these screens to Yammer/SharePoint intranet graphics for global field offices, facilitating a sense of “One Global Abt” across all internal company platforms.
  • 2018: Proposed and designed an award-winning quick reference flipbook guide for 1,000 staff in two new HQ offices, featuring a status (do not disturb, on the phone, etc.) on one side with corresponding resources on the other.
  • 2017–2019: Designed reference and event assets for internal workshops and initiatives, including event posters, reference guides, table displays, and promotional items.

Graphic Designer

Association of Women’s Healthcare, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
Feb–Jun 2017 (contract)

Supported senior design staff, marketing director, and social media manager with print and digital publications, online continuing education modules, and social media and marketing graphics for AWHONN’s member nurses and industry partners.

  • Updated layout and typography for Assessment & Care of the Late Preterm Infant (2nd Ed), a training module in both print and digital formats. Redesigned the Quick Care Guide insert for easier reading. Completed project one month ahead of scheduled deadline.
  • Created an AWHONN/Huggies™ co-branded Diapering That Nurtures brochure for print and digital publication with a reach of over 550,000, and designed online graphics for social media campaigns and partner websites.
  • Designed social media graphics, a SnapChat geofilter, and mobile app graphics for AWHONN’s 2017 National Convention.
  • Designed e-mail, website, and social media campaign graphics for National Nurses Week, AWHONN Membership renewals, women’s health advocacy and legislation, and member webinars.
  • Produced 10 study modules for the Perinatal Orientation and Education Program, Fourth Edition (POEP4),which included screenshots of PowerPoint slides and speaker notes formatted for both print and online use. Also created course manuals for both instructors and participants. My contribution allowed the team to produce the product ahead of the expected launch date.
  • Updated layout, typography, and visual designs for various AWHONN marketing products including email banners, donor appreciation cards, trade show information displays, and informational program flyers.

Designer, Photographer, and Brand Specialist

rubicat.com (self-employed)
Sep 2003 – present

A one-stop creative shop: graphic designer, brand manager, social media specialist, writer, editor, and photographer all rolled into a juggernaut of creative. I create and manage social media profiles for clients, maintaining high levels of customer engagement with consistent branded content. I also teach social media techniques and concepts to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Working with clients from micro-businesses to large corporations, I bring a breadth of creative skills to any—or all—stages of a design workflow.

  • Developed content and maintained social media profiles for an Old Town Alexandria gift shop, growing brand awareness and audience engagement.
  • Designed and edited Mega Scholarships’ 2018 Scholarship Application Guide—a workbook targeted toward high school students. Sourced all images, edited copy, and created forms to help students plan, search, and apply for scholarships. Available on Amazon.
  • Created and led one-on-one or workgroup training sessions on content marketing, social media, blogging, and brand development for small business clients.
  • Updated online training modules for a Social Media Professional certification; created new, original infographics and Best Practices content.
  • 2014: Designed a new brochure and inserts for a law firm’s expansion into Japanese markets; met budget needs through creative layout and materials, and expedited workflow to meet urgent international deadlines.
  • 2012–2013: Created medical training guides and PowerPoint slide presentations for Custom Learning Designs’ client healthcare companies. Worked with artists, editors, and writers to meet brand and style guidelines; produced both print and eBook formats for training publications.
  • 2008-2012: Designed a new print brochure, postcard, business cards, and digital flyers for Boston Circus Guild; photographed performers and events for use in printed and electronic products; created a library of stock performer images and digital assets.
  • 2003-2006: Designed a website and marketing materials for a small Cape Cod bed and breakfast, updating brand and photography to attract a more professional audience. The site and brochure were well-received by the target audience:
    “…our site had brought an overwhelming amount of business. Everyone comments on the site and our numbers have been much higher than we ever anticipated thanks to it. Just wanted to say thanks for building a site which so many people find appealing.”
  • 2003-2007: Designed a new brand, website, and marketing products for CityCats Veterinary Clinic, to update and grow customer base; surpassed growth targets by 300%. Provided strategic direction on social media integration, SEO, and community outreach, resulting in an increase of monthly website traffic from 100 to over 1,500 within two years.

Publications:

  • Scholarship Application Guide (Mega Scholarships, 2018).  [ Amazon ]
  • Smitten Kitten: I’m Too Swanky for my Catnip (Barnes & Noble, 2007).
  • Your Happy Healthy Pet (Howell, 2004–2008): photographer for 14 editions, including two cover credits: Guinea Pig (2005) and Bulldog (2008).

Brand Execution & Production Specialist (Media Specialist III)

Northern Virginia Community College, Workforce Development
Aug 2014 – Jan 2016

Designed marketing products targeted to students, veterans, and corporate clients;
maintained brand strategy for NOVA Workforce programs.

  • Designed and launched Corporate Performance Solutions, a full-color catalog that advertised customized contract training programs. Designed layout, reviewed and edited all content to ensure accuracy and compliance with brand and visual standards, and distributed final product in both print and e-book formats.
  • Designed integrated print and digital marketing campaigns, PowerPoint sales presentations, video ads, and tradeshow materials for Workforce outreach efforts.
  • Researched and published blog articles discussing regional economic and workforce trends.
  • Increased social media outreach and brand awareness for Workforce programs.
  • Provided strategic direction on social selling concepts to colleagues, teaching staff how to develop a personal brand, launch effective media campaigns, and create content for social media profiles.
  • Created and led a successful workshop on Collaborative Partnerships at a state-wide higher education conference for Virginia’s Community Colleges in December 2015. Provided overall concept, design, and content for presentation and worksheets, and led a team of 3 presenters to create a cohesive workshop.
  • Designed a new PowerPoint template for staff to use for lectures, briefings, and sales presentations.
  • Designed displays and materials for conferences and symposia, including Leadercast, campus career fairs, PMI-DC, Virginia Community College System’s “Hire Ed” conference, and Governor McAuliffe’s 2015 Latino Summit.

“Tammy joined our team and instantly added value! She demonstrated exceptional knowledge of marketing, social media, and branding.” (LinkedIn recommendation)

Founder, cavymadness.com

cavymadness.com
1999–present (on hiatus)

Created and launched a website and online store of self-designed products in 1999, offering a beginner’s pen pal program and learning portal for responsible guinea pig care. Grew a diverse international community through MailChimp campaigns and Facebook.

  • Launched an online shop in 2000, with commissioned art and products I designed and created for guinea pig enthusiasts.
  • Grew a Facebook community of 4,500+ followers with a monthly reach of over 8,000 and a monthly engagement rate of over 2,000.
  • Produce a monthly  e-newsletter sent to 1,000+ subscribers with a consistent 30%+ click-through rate.
  • Launched Pignic Central, a sister site promoting Meetup-style gatherings, with a Facebook community of 1,700+.

“CavyMadness.com is a beautifully-built site for an animal that not many people give a second thought to (the guinea pig)… One person I know actually began to keep guinea pigs as a result of having read Tammy’s website, which she created to help close the gap between cavy sites which were too poorly-written and those which were too technically-written. In having a go-to place for information that’s accessible (not only via internet, but intellectually, as well) by so many, she’s created a community.” (Linkedin recommendation)

Associate Graphics Artist

Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Feb 2013 – Jan 2014

  • Designed and edited broadcast-ready graphics for online newscasts featuring sports updates, standings, and statistics for D.C.-area teams.
  • Created infographics and electronic media products consistent with both Monumental and team brand identities.
  • Updated text content for AfterEffects files used in special report segments.
  • Using Photoshop’s Mask function, isolated images of Capitals and Wizards team members to be used for alpha-channel broadcast graphics.

Desktop Publisher

Custom Learning Designs (Belmont, MA)
May 2012 – Jan 2013

  • Developed graphic designs, layouts and typography for medical training publications using Microsoft Word, InDesign, and Quark XPress.
  • Developed and edited PowerPoint slides for use in training presentations and conferences.
  • Collaborated with editors, artists, and writers to ensure accuracy in visual standards, grammar, and branding guidelines for customers.
  • Prepared training modules for both print and electronic media (eBook) products.

Graphic Designer

LifeLine Systems (now Phillips Lifeline; Framingham, MA)
2004–2007 

  • Designed advertising and marketing products for use in trade journals, conferences, symposia, and member hospitals, ensuring adherence to visual styles and brand.
  • Designed a wide range of tradeshow and promotional products customized for over 100 member hospitals, ensuring brand and visual consistency for both Lifeline and member hospitals.
  • Redesigned printed products, creating new InDesign templates and importing Quark Xpress files to the new formats. Reviewed and edited products to update visual standards and brand when company was acquired and became Phillips Lifeline in 2007.

Brand Manager and Designer

Arlington Community Network (Arlington, MA)
Nov 2009 – Aug 2010

  • Designed and managed overall brand for a “local first” initiative with a reach of 43,000 town residents.
  • Designed initial website, collaborating with Web developer team for site and organization launch.
  • Developed graphic design and overall brand; created printed and electronic files for briefings, presentations, and all products.
  • Worked with board members to create and review raw content for incorporation into website and all printed products.
  • Designed, managed, and produced a monthly Town Calendar printed publication, which featured Town of Arlington news and business information and unfolded to a 17×22 poster of Town-wide event listings; managed content, images, layout, and production.

Graphics Specialist | Team Manager

Braun Consulting (Boston, MA)
Jan 1999 – Oct 2002

  • Designed presentations, brochures, tradeshow materials, and marketing collateral for customers; provided printed materials for company events, including flyers, certificates, and employee awards as directed.
  • Managed a creative team of 5 production artists; managed project workflows, staff training, design team budget, and company brand awareness. Reviewed and edited final staff presentations to ensure accuracy and adherence to brand and visual standards.
  • Developed and presented PowerPoint training sessions for company staff, providing instruction on basic PowerPoint skills, new brand guidelines, and standard operating procedures.
  • Developed a 12-page recruitment catalog and full-color inserts; photographed original images for the publication.
  • Served as the company photographer, creating photo albums that were used to complement recruitment efforts.

Production Artist and Graphic Designer

Aquent / MacTemps
Jan 1997 – Dec 1998

  • Created PowerPoint presentations, print materials, and publications for customers.
  • Member of 12-person Partner Program launch, created for highly-skilled talent.

Communications and Production Assistant

University Children’s Foundation, University of Minnesota
Sep 1994 – Sep 1996

  • Provided copywriting, editing, and design assistance for special events, direct mail campaigns, and marketing campaigns.
  • Managed direct mail campaigns, student interns, and event volunteers.
  • Member of the Department of Pediatrics’ Website Committee, which set up the Department’s first web page.

education

B.A., English (Communications/Media)
College of Charleston, SC (1988–1993)

  • Writing Lab consultant and Writing Across the Curriculum conference panelist.
  • Writer and photographer for yearbook and student newspaper.
  • Flyer, banner, and ad designer for campus organizations.
  • Visitor guide for the College, City of Charleston, and Spoleto Arts Festival.
  • Lifetime member, Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity.

professional development