Suzanne Baumann

P.O. Box 12096 | Hamtramck, MI 48212 | Email | Portfolio | Linkedin

Skills

• Graphic design
• Print production
• Illustration
• Proofreading
• Typesetting
• Photos (color-correction, manipulation, scanning, web prep)
• Web design

Tools

• Macintosh and Windows platforms
• Adobe Creative Suite / Creative Cloud
• InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop
• Serif Affinity
• Publisher, Designer, Publisher
• Coding (HTML, XML, CSS, XMPie)
• MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Communications management
• Wordpress, Mailchimp, GMC Inspire Designer, Mindfire, GTXcel Turnstyle
• Collaboration tools
• Figma, Google Workspace, Salesforce, Slack, Trello, Webex, Zoom, GoTo Meeting

Graphic Arts Experience

Freelance Designer and Illustrator, Self-Employed

Present

• Consult with an assortment of individuals and businesses to complete one-off and recurring design and illustration projects.

• Typical Projects

• Spot illustrations
• Branding & logo design
• Photo retouching
• Print & web design

• Selected Clients

• Artography
• Télé-Louisiane
• Detroit Metro Times
• City of Hamtramck
• Triad Associates PC

Contractor, Graphic Designer / Production Artist, Aquent Talent

1997 - 2021

• Contracted to perform various design and production tasks for a wide range of Metropolitan Detroit businesses
• Successfully completed over 40 assignments in total

• Typical Projects

• Brochures
• Email blasts
• In-store displays
• Mailers
• Packaging
• Print ads
• Video supers
• Web graphics
• Apparel
• Magazine layouts
• Signage
• Textbooks/e-learning materials
• Trade show displays
• Web graphics

• Selected Clients

• Real Green Systems
• The Children's Center
• HoMedics
• Jackson Dawson
• Oakland University
• Lochbridge
• SMZ Advertising
• Bell + Howell
• Campbell Ewald
• Entertainment Publications
• Gale Group
• Kmart Corporation
• Marygrove College

Designer/Production Support Specialist, Wolverine Solutions Group

2015 - 2020 | Detroit, Michigan

• Primary in-house contact for design & production art tasks for full service direct mail and communications company
• Worked with salespeople to design and build print and digital products for current and speculative clients
• Variable data layout programming for various print and email communications
• Managed a high-volume email client with daily, semi-weekly and one-off blasts using Mindfire Marketing Studio. Built HTML templates for all messages from static images

• Selected Projects

• Mail pieces
• Mobile apps
• Web-to-print program
• Vehicle wrap
• Sell sheets
• Greeting cards

Selected Clients

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
• FCA Group
• Greektown Casino-Hotel
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Creative/Production Developer, Avanzado, LLC

2008 - 2012 | Farmington Hills, Michigan

• Part of creative department for tech firm serving the advertising industry
• Worked with IT professionals to design and build web interfaces for ad-building software
• Created custom digital templates for the creation of print and web advertisements
• Designed direct mail, signage and presentation media
• Uploaded and tested materials

Selected Clients

• Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
• General Motors
• Sherwin Williams
• Mitsubishi Motors
• Verizon
• Xerox

Graphic Designer, Lighting Supply Company

2002-2004 | Ferndale, Michigan

• Helped establish in-house design department for lighting warehouse
• Worked closely with marketing department to produce annual and quarterly catalogs, bimonthly flyers, and monthly faxes
• Managed all text, photos and charts
• Routinely created light bulb packaging with a consistent design
• Designed print ads, signage, forms, envelopes and other pieces as needed

Related Professional Experience

President & Co-Founder, Hatch Art Center

2006 - Present | Hamtramck, Michigan

• Founding member of an active nonprofit community arts organization
• Set agenda and provide direction for monthly board meetings
• Maintain web presence (email newsletter, blog)
• Design and produce posters, brochures, flyers, and other promotional materials
• Assist at monthly gallery openings
• Coordinate and staff events, gallery exhibits, performances and retail venues
• Assist in rehabilitation and preservation of vernacular art construction Hamtramck Disneyland (D. Szylak, 1920-2015)
• Worked to acquire and rehabilitate neglected building for reuse as an art center

Cartoonist/Publisher, Fridge Magnet Concoctions

Present

• Create, produce, and distribute minicomics and related merchandise
• Involved with every step of the process from conception to distribution
• Design and maintain website
• Make regular appearances at events across North America
• Exhibit original art regionally

Art Coordinator, Comfort Stand Recordings

2003 - 2006

• Volunteered with high traffic internet record label featuring downloadable music and CD cover art
• Created CD art (illustration, typesetting, layout)
• Served as advisor for other visual artists
• Actively participated in web design decisions via email conferences with staff
• Edited and proofread text on the site
• Auditioned demos and planned new releases

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Major: Studio Art | Minor: English | GPA in Major: 4.0

Study Abroad, University of Swaziland

Kwaluseni, eSwatini

Concentrations: Communication Studies, World History

GLCA NY Arts Program

New York City

Internships: Shaw & Leach, Mary Tiegreen

Ongoing practice and development

Periodic workshops and tutorials in digital design & production, prepress, and figure drawing

Honors and Activities

• SPACE Prize (Small Press & Alternative Comics Expo, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2022
• Nominee, Employee of the Month, April 2018, Wolverine Solutions Group
• Regional Addy™ Award Recipient, Michigan, Direct Marketing Category