Mera Mistr y Senior Designer / Art Director 4710 North Magnolia Ave, Unit 1, Chicago, Illinois 60640 phone: 678-923-6027 e-mail: mera@meramistry.com url: meramistry.com experience Northwestern University (NU), Chicago, Illinois Senior Designer, Alumni Relations and Development, September 2011 – present Major responsibilities include inception through production of original design solutions that align with marketing goals, budgets, time lines, and existing University brand standards; collaborate with writers and team members to determine tone and visual direction; present to internal clients and senior leadership; attend press checks, and source vendor quotes. Projects range from external and internal marketing materials such as: annual reports, invitations, environmental designs, brochures, ads, benchmarking research, identity design, direct mail, and e-publications. Mera Mistry Design, Chicago, Illinois Independent Graphic Designer, November 2010 – present Work with various clients in Chicago and surrounding areas such as: Whole Foods Market, Smart Rooms, Trú Melange, Repose Interiors and local Chef Nicholas DeVries. Deliver strategic visual solutions that are informed by research, exploration and a thorough understanding of the clients’ target audiences. Projects include marketing materials, branding, product, packaging, and interactive design in the home goods, gift, and organic food industry. Whole Foods Market Midwest, Chicago, Illinois Senior Designer Marketing Studio, January 2008 – October 2010 Led midwest regional design initiatives. Responsibilities included managing internal clients, mentoring, concept development, illustration, design, production, obtaining print quotes, and ensuring adherence to green standards. Projects ranged from in-store seasonal and event marketing materials, identity systems, multi-page documents, banner ads, intranet sites, environmental, and packaging design. Hallmark Cards Inc., Kansas City, Missouri Designer III Greetings Studio, July 2004 – January 2008 Responsibilities included project management, concept development, and implementation of seasonal and everyday greeting card products. Played an essential role in training and mentoring new designers. Worked extensively with various printing processes and emotive typographic treatments. Was involved in researching and presenting market place trends. Collaborated with copy writers and illustrators, Created licensed products for clients such as Mattel and Maya Angelou. Lead designer in the launch of personalized on-line greeting cards. The Jones Group, Atlanta, Georgia Contract Graphic Designer, February – July 2004, March – September 2002 Paddywax Inc., Atlanta, Georgia Contract Print and Packaging Designer, June 2003 – February 2004 education Portfolio Center, Atlanta, Georgia Graphic Design Graduate Studies, March 2003 University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia BFA Digital Media, December 2000 AB Studio Art, December 1999 digital skills affiliations interests Proficient in: Adobe Suite CC Experience in: CSS, Flash, HTML, sand Dreamweaver AIGA and Lillstreet Arts Center Fabric dying, sewing, embroidery, screen printing, textile design, and soccer.