signy roberts
20591 middlebury street, ashburn virginia 20147
t = 703.726.9928
f = 703.726.9929
e = signy@earthlink.net
e m p l o y m e n t 0h i s t o r y
Independent Professional
Graphic Designer, Marketing Communications ConsultantMay 1999 - Present
Formed own company – Significant Communication – to provide creative communication services — print advertising, creative concepts, graphic design, production and writing.
Client list includes: the Airport Consultants Council, Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Ricci Communications, Grout Armor, Copy General, Lumenos, the American Marketing Association, Goodwill Industries International, Home Elements, Ski Chalet, Any Mountain Tours, Aspen Central Reservations, Scoreboard, Inc., Teleglobe Communications Corporation, EBC Carpet Services, Future, Inc. and NRTC (National Rural Telephone Cooperative).
recent significant projects
- Home Elements advertising design and production — conceptualized newspaper and magazine ad campaigns. Responsible for production and traffic details of submitting artwork to 12 different publications in 10 markets at least twice monthly. Designed and produced store signage, product hang tags and consumer literature.
- Layout, design and production of Alumni newsletter for Goodwill Industries International.
- Produced 32-page, 4-color consumer travel catalogue for client, Any Mountain Tours, from conceptualization, design and layout through production and print purchasing. Redesigned page layouts and content to create a more reader-friendly and enticing publication. Created original map illustrations. Arranged and directed employee photo shoot. Scanned, color-corrected and retouched more than 60 photographs. Secured multi-vendor approvals. Wrote copy, edited and coordinated print production.
- Redesigned and streamlined global network maps for Teleglobe Communications Corporation. Designed numerous Powerpoint presentations. Created original technical illustrations.
Don Schaaf & Friends, Inc., Advertising/Graphic Design, Washington, D.C.
Production Manager & Director of Client ServicesMay 1998 - April 1999
As a guerrilla marketing firm, Don Schaaf & Friends specializes in graphic design and one-of-a-kind marketing concepts. From corporate logos and identity package designs to product launches, direct mail campaigns, annual reports and trade show advertising, the agency represents a diverse client base. Client list includes: publishing companies – Hanley-Wood, Inc. and National Geographic; telecommunications firms – MCI WorldCom and Teligent; high-tech companies – Digex and TTC; associations – National Retail Federation and Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association; and trade shows – FOSE and CES.
- Coordinated and scheduled workflow for the agency while managing staff designers and interacting with clients and vendors to ensure successful completion of projects, total client satisfaction and maximum profitability.
- Supervised project details from concept through delivery – including scheduling, overseeing the design and approval process, editing and proofing agency work, and coordinating final deliveries.
- Communicated with clients to secure copy platforms, photographs and client authorizations, and ensured that clients’ needs were met on a daily basis.
- Solicited bids and negotiated with vendors for best quality, lowest price and quickest turnaround — with printers, pre-press service bureaus, sign shops and specialty suppliers.
- Responsible for total quality control of agency projects. Edited and proofed all stages of the design process.
Ski Chalet, Inc., Arlington, Virginia
Marketing Manager / Advertising DirectorSeptember 1992 - April 1998
Ski Chalet, Inc. is a privately-owned corporation comprised of four retail and travel companies in the Washington, DC area: Ski Chalet, Any Mountain Tours, Patio Place and the Ski Authority – the ski departments of Sports Authority stores. Between the four companies, there were 350 employees and 24 retail and office locations.Managed in-house advertising agency responsible for all corporate communication and advertising from concept development through design and fulfillment.
* marketing + advertising duties *
- Negotiated all media buys, handled creative decisions and trafficking for all advertising: print, radio, television and direct mail.
- To stretch limited resources, created successful marketing partnerships with various corporations – Coca-Cola, Whitetail Ski Resort, Vail Resorts, Telluride Ski Company, Canadian Tourism Commission, AT&T, Nissan.
- Oversaw grassroots marketing efforts at individual stores – community partnerships with health clubs, couponing opportunities with local schools and charity organizations.
- Wrote and distributed news releases and press kits to appropriate media outlets to generate publicity for events and increase public awareness of Ski Chalet companies.
- Worked with store managers and cashiers to ensure highest possible amount of customer data was captured for future direct mail opportunities.
- Conceptualized and executed promotions and in-store contests to collect vital customer data while enhancing retail traffic and fostering a fun in-store environment.
- Established and implemented cooperative advertising and promotional campaigns with vendors – airlines, ski areas, ski equipment and clothing manufacturers.
- Kept staff informed of advertising campaigns and prepared stores for promotions.
- Wrote and distributed news releases and press kits to appropriate media outlets to generate publicity for events and increase public awareness of Ski Chalet companies.
- Coordinated community affairs – handle all requests for charity donations including working with the Make-a-Wish foundation to turn childrens’ ski vacation dreams into reality.
- Originated and oversaw monthly internal newsletter distributed to all Ski Chalet, Inc. employees.
- Compiled snow reports during the ski season and provided written conditions of North American ski areas to Ski Chalet stores. Recorded the snow conditions on Ski Chalet’s information line.
* graphic design accomplishments *
- Saved $40,000 in 1997 by designing and producing annual consumer catalogue in-house.
- Produced all print advertising, store signage and product literature – from creative concept and budgeting through writing and design, pre-press, press-checks and fulfillment – from simple one-color postcards to 32-page, four-color catalogue.
- Supervised creation and design of three company web sites.
- Implemented graphic standards and style sheets for all companies — revised and standardized logos, colors, typefaces, forms and consumer information brochures.
- Invented and implemented successful graphic identity for the new outdoor furniture retailer — Patio Place.
- Produced comprehensive presentation kits for management to use with suppliers and clients.
- Created all printed materials for major consumer and internal events – name tags, posters, brochures, bags, cups, banners, sign systems, forms, maps, coupons.
e d u c a t i o n
Currently enrolled in Masters of Science in Marketing Degree Program
Johns Hopkins University, School of Continuing Studies – Washington, DC
Completed Courses: Marketing Management, Business Economics, Marketing Research, Advertising Campaigns, Marketing Ethics, Cost Design and Analysis in Decision Making
Bachelor of Science Degree – May, 1991
James Madison University – Harrisonburg, Virginia
Major – Communication
Concentration – Public Relations, Minor – Art History
s k i l l s
Marketing-minded graphic designer . Creative writer . Macintosh systems expert . QuarkXPress . Adobe Illustrator . Adobe Photoshop . Powerpoint . Microsoft Word . html programming . Dreamweaver . Staying creative + keeping cool under pressure . Expert in print production management
e q u i p m e n t
Macintosh G4 . Macintosh G3 . Epson Photo Ex printer . Hewlett Packard LaserJet 4MV . Microtek Scanmaker 4 scanner . CD-ROM . CD-writer . zip drive . high-speed cable modem . Powerbook
What do giraffes have that no other animal has?
baby giraffes
please contact me for honest + clean design + production. thanks.
the end. & The beginning.
