Design Portfolio of Amanda Culver

Short Bio

Concepting and designing for print are my passion and my expertise. I have 22+ years of experience in print and web design with 15 years in creative leadership.

I have had an interesting design journey including retail ad design, association magazines, trade magazines, promotional product design and web design and development. In my current role as Creative Director (Contract), I manage all of the design and production for MedMark, LLC, which includes four trade magazines, trade show materials and marketing collateral.

I consistently take projects from concept to completion while exceeding project goals. Dental Sleep Practice magazine has won multiple American Graphic Design Awards. While I was the Creative Director at Farran Media, I assisted in raising their readership and online membership to the highest rates in the company's history.

As a hands-on, dedicated creative leader, I thrive when challenged in a fast-paced yet fun environment.

Experience

January 2015-Present
Creative Director/Design Consultant
Manage the design and production for multiple freelance clients from restaurants to schools to cosmetic companies to construction and engineering firms. No project is too large or too small.

April 2014-Present (Contract)
MedMark, LLC, Creative Director/Production Manager
Manage the design and production for all print and electronic materials. Concept and design all editorial for four trade magazines (Dental Sleep Practice, Endodontic Practice US, Implant Practice US, Orthodontic Practice US). Be instrumental in the launch of the new Dental Sleep Practice magazine. Concept and create the logo and design for the new magazine which won a 2014 American Graphic Design Award. Communicate with clients and authors to fulfill advertising/editorial contracts. Work closely with the editorial and sales teams. Provide creative direction and production for electronic and social media. Commission illustrations. Oversee and maintain brand identity.

February 2005-March 2014
Farran Media, LLC, Creative Director (2006-2014) • Graphic Designer (2005)
Led, inspired and developed the creative team – two graphic designers, one e-media developer and one multi-media developer. Oversaw the concept and design of all editorial for three monthly trade magazines (Dentaltown, Orthotown, Hygienetown). Provided creative direction and production for company web sites, electronic media and social media. Art directed all video and audio projects. Created and implemented identity for annual trade show. Developed strategic concept for annual member campaign. Worked with external clients to create advertising materials. Collaborated with all internal teams. Commissioned and art directed photo shoots and illustrations. Integrated all types of media to enhance company brand. Produced beautifully designed feature articles. Designed print and electronic marketing and sales materials. Managed vendor relationships. Controlled multiple budgets. Managed archives and maintained equipment and software for creative department.

August 2004-February 2005
Identity Marketing, Graphic Designer
Created logos and designs for imprinting on promotional products and garments. Maintained client e-store. Redesigned company web sites. Utilized CAD to digitize and edit designs for embroidery.

August 1999-August 2004
ASU Alumni Association, Graphic Designer
Managed production of ASU Vision magazine from concept to printing. Created designs and layouts for all print and promotional products generated for the association (more than 200 projects annually). Managed the association web sites. Supervised students and assistant on layout production. Designed and distributed electronic newsletters. Scheduled and directed photo shoots. Worked closely with print representatives to meet the budget guidelines of each project. Tracked status of projects. Upheld and monitored the implementation of graphic standards. Evaluated the need for design-related software and hardware.

July 1998-August 1999
Albertsons Inc. Marketing Department, Layout and Production Artist
Produced multiple version weekly ads and store fliers with daily deadlines. Assisted layout team with the production of Shopper’s Guides. Designed materials for internal communications and point-of-purchase displays.

Technology

Proficient on Mac OS X in Adobe Creative Suite/Creative Cloud (Acrobat, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop), Quark XPress and Microsoft Office.
Working knowledge of Adobe Dreamweaver, hand-coded HTML and CSS.
Technical support knowledge and ability to troubleshoot.

Education

University of Denver, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Graphic Design, 1998

Awards

2017 Health + Wellness Design Award - Publication Design - Dental Sleep Practice Patient Education Guide Summer 2017
2014 American Graphic Design Award - Publication Design - Dental Sleep Practice Spring 2014 issue
Farran Media Seven Year Service Recognition Award, February 2012
Farran Media Five Year Service Recognition Award, February 2010
ASU Institutional Advancement Employee of the Quarter, September 2001

Volunteerism

Volunteer, Empty Bowl Pet Food Pantry, 2012-May 2016
President, Board of Directors, Monterosa Planned Community Assoc., 2010-Current
Director-At-Large, Board of Directors, Monterosa Planned Community Assoc., 2008-2009