Heather Walrod – Senior Designer / Art Director / Visual Storyteller
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
Design & Art Direction / 2002 – present Freelance
• contract and short term projects working directly with the client or creative director
• branding, design, marketing, digital, email and art direction
• consulting on existing brands or large campaign strategy and design
Companies I have worked with: Levi's, Hint water, Restoration Hardware, Creativebug, Men's Warehouse,
San Francisco Magazine, Epic Church SF, 1185 Design, Big Minnow, Safeway Holiday Ice Rink,
Lindy's Sports magazine, Webz Media, Shanti/PAWS
Contract Senior Designer / 2016 – 2017
Walmart/ Sam's Club / San Bruno, CA
Worked on the Global eCommerce team. Created visual assets and standards for new functionalities including: email, social, web, landing pages, mobile and tablet. Led projects from concept through to completion. Developed high-level design concepts for seasonal design efforts. Crafted responsive designs from top to bottom to create effective, omni-channel, eCommerce experiences across multiple platforms. Worked with cross-functional partners across Content and Creative, Visual Merchandising, Production, UX/UI.
Freelance Senior Designer / 2016
Bare Escentuals / San Francisco, CA
Worked with the Global Learning and Makeup Artistry team to prepare for 2016 Market Week. Developed look-books for Bare Minerals, QVC, and Buxom. Was responsible for product photography and color correcting. Designed event items like power point presentations and product trays. Delegated tasks between other designers and met tight deadlines. Was responsible for comping and designing new Holiday collections and working on book layouts. Worked with cross-functional and global partners to customize each book.
Contract Senior Designer / 2014 – 2015
Charlotte Russe / San Francisco, CA
As a contractor in the marketing department I was able to bring my strong eye for photography, editorial design skills, and fresh perspectives to the Ecommerce group. During my year, our Ecommerce business rose and we had some of the companies highest grossing days in history. During November 2015 I worked on campaign creative that helped launch the Charlotte Russe phone app, which is seeing above normal push notification sign ups and quickly exceeded all goals and expectations. Every month I break out the overarching campaigns for initial concepting and build out visual representations of current trends in fashion. I work closely with the photo/art director to strategize ready to wear, product model, and flat shoots. The range of duties have included prop selection, shoe styling, creating shot lists, choosing final selects, going to photo shoots, creating concept packets to share with our CMO and cross functional partners. I recently built out an online contest with our marketing partners that ran through our social media channels. Daily I work closely with our copywriters, where we are creating content that flows across all channels of marketing with a consistent look and feel.
Graphic Designer / 2012 –2014
Gap Inc. Old Navy / San Francisco, CA
Worked as part of a team to develop and contribute concepts based on set marketing criteria and strategy. With tight and ever changing deadlines, concepts ideas, assists in photo direction/ retouching and sees the project through to full production. Detail oriented, well organized, and deadline focused. Prepares and presents project presentations for leadership teams. Stays on top of the current style and fashion trends as well as being flexible and having a good attitude. Ensures quality of concept and work produced in collaboration with the Art Directors. Collaborates with cross-functional team members to ensure that projects are on-strategy and meeting brand objectives while maintaining projected deadlines and budgets.
Graphic & Web Designer / 2009 – 2012
Virgin America / Burlingame, CA
Created innovative design solutions for cross-departmental projects, including CRM, web promotions, events, and branding within the marketing department. Was a liaison between the print and web experience to make sure that brand standards were being upheld. Oversaw the web teams production of graphics to ensure brand quality and basic design skills were being met. Partnered with various departments such as: HR, catering, ancillary revenue, PR, Sales and Distribution, In-Flight Operations, etc, to problem solve for their various design needs. Found and maintained outside vendor contacts to source various internal projects through, such as: printed items, tee shirts, airport signage, and trade show booths.
Freelance Designer / 2005 – 2007
San Francisco magazine / San Francisco, CA
Worked on special projects within the marketing department of San Francisco magazine such as: Cityguide Magazine, Charitable Events Guide, and the American Institute of Architects, Small Firms, Great Projects.
Was able to utilize illustration skills on various projects. Helped with events, press checks, and partner ads.
• contract and short term projects working directly with the client or creative director
• branding, design, marketing, digital, email and art direction
• consulting on existing brands or large campaign strategy and design
Companies I have worked with: Levi's, Hint water, Restoration Hardware, Creativebug, Men's Warehouse,
San Francisco Magazine, Epic Church SF, 1185 Design, Big Minnow, Safeway Holiday Ice Rink,
Lindy's Sports magazine, Webz Media, Shanti/PAWS
Contract Senior Designer / 2016 – 2017
Walmart/ Sam's Club / San Bruno, CA
Worked on the Global eCommerce team. Created visual assets and standards for new functionalities including: email, social, web, landing pages, mobile and tablet. Led projects from concept through to completion. Developed high-level design concepts for seasonal design efforts. Crafted responsive designs from top to bottom to create effective, omni-channel, eCommerce experiences across multiple platforms. Worked with cross-functional partners across Content and Creative, Visual Merchandising, Production, UX/UI.
Freelance Senior Designer / 2016
Bare Escentuals / San Francisco, CA
Worked with the Global Learning and Makeup Artistry team to prepare for 2016 Market Week. Developed look-books for Bare Minerals, QVC, and Buxom. Was responsible for product photography and color correcting. Designed event items like power point presentations and product trays. Delegated tasks between other designers and met tight deadlines. Was responsible for comping and designing new Holiday collections and working on book layouts. Worked with cross-functional and global partners to customize each book.
Contract Senior Designer / 2014 – 2015
Charlotte Russe / San Francisco, CA
As a contractor in the marketing department I was able to bring my strong eye for photography, editorial design skills, and fresh perspectives to the Ecommerce group. During my year, our Ecommerce business rose and we had some of the companies highest grossing days in history. During November 2015 I worked on campaign creative that helped launch the Charlotte Russe phone app, which is seeing above normal push notification sign ups and quickly exceeded all goals and expectations. Every month I break out the overarching campaigns for initial concepting and build out visual representations of current trends in fashion. I work closely with the photo/art director to strategize ready to wear, product model, and flat shoots. The range of duties have included prop selection, shoe styling, creating shot lists, choosing final selects, going to photo shoots, creating concept packets to share with our CMO and cross functional partners. I recently built out an online contest with our marketing partners that ran through our social media channels. Daily I work closely with our copywriters, where we are creating content that flows across all channels of marketing with a consistent look and feel.
Graphic Designer / 2012 –2014
Gap Inc. Old Navy / San Francisco, CA
Worked as part of a team to develop and contribute concepts based on set marketing criteria and strategy. With tight and ever changing deadlines, concepts ideas, assists in photo direction/ retouching and sees the project through to full production. Detail oriented, well organized, and deadline focused. Prepares and presents project presentations for leadership teams. Stays on top of the current style and fashion trends as well as being flexible and having a good attitude. Ensures quality of concept and work produced in collaboration with the Art Directors. Collaborates with cross-functional team members to ensure that projects are on-strategy and meeting brand objectives while maintaining projected deadlines and budgets.
Graphic & Web Designer / 2009 – 2012
Virgin America / Burlingame, CA
Created innovative design solutions for cross-departmental projects, including CRM, web promotions, events, and branding within the marketing department. Was a liaison between the print and web experience to make sure that brand standards were being upheld. Oversaw the web teams production of graphics to ensure brand quality and basic design skills were being met. Partnered with various departments such as: HR, catering, ancillary revenue, PR, Sales and Distribution, In-Flight Operations, etc, to problem solve for their various design needs. Found and maintained outside vendor contacts to source various internal projects through, such as: printed items, tee shirts, airport signage, and trade show booths.
Freelance Designer / 2005 – 2007
San Francisco magazine / San Francisco, CA
Worked on special projects within the marketing department of San Francisco magazine such as: Cityguide Magazine, Charitable Events Guide, and the American Institute of Architects, Small Firms, Great Projects.
Was able to utilize illustration skills on various projects. Helped with events, press checks, and partner ads.
EDUCATION
Graduate of the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Masters of Fine Art in Graphic Design, 2008
Cum laude, Graduate of Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, 2002
MSU is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design
DESIGN EXPERTISE
Graphic Design, Typography, Color Sensibility, Layout, Photography, Art Direction,
Photo Direction, Illustration, Copywriting, Branding, Advertising, Social Media,
Ecommerce, Web, Email, Mobile, Publication Design, UXUI, Video Editing & Filming
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, Lightroom, Bridge, Sketch, InVision, Microsoft Office Suite, Keynote, Pages, Numbers, Various project management systems, Print proofing software and press checks, Slack, Knowledge of various print techniques, Packaging, Knowledge of printing
on various surfaces, Familiar with different types of paper/stock, Can create/work within responsive
templates, AB Testing (I love putting together mood boards and am proficient at giving presentations)
Apple computers systems
ACTIVITIES
CCSF Broadcast Media Department, Video Editing, 2018
General Assembly, San Francisco, UXUI User Interface and Design 2018
Member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, 2002 – 2008
Board member for the Golden Triangle Advertising Federation, 2003
Public Relations Chair for the Golden Triangle Advertising Federation, 2002 – 2004
Cochair for the 2003 Golden Triangle Advertising Federation Addy Awards
Member of the Columbus Arts Council Guild, 2002 – 2003
Publications Coordinator for Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority,
Mississippi State University, 1999
Studied abroad in Puebla, Mexico and London, England
Graduate of the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Masters of Fine Art in Graphic Design, 2008
Cum laude, Graduate of Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, 2002
MSU is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design
DESIGN EXPERTISE
Graphic Design, Typography, Color Sensibility, Layout, Photography, Art Direction,
Photo Direction, Illustration, Copywriting, Branding, Advertising, Social Media,
Ecommerce, Web, Email, Mobile, Publication Design, UXUI, Video Editing & Filming
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, Lightroom, Bridge, Sketch, InVision, Microsoft Office Suite, Keynote, Pages, Numbers, Various project management systems, Print proofing software and press checks, Slack, Knowledge of various print techniques, Packaging, Knowledge of printing
on various surfaces, Familiar with different types of paper/stock, Can create/work within responsive
templates, AB Testing (I love putting together mood boards and am proficient at giving presentations)
Apple computers systems
ACTIVITIES
CCSF Broadcast Media Department, Video Editing, 2018
General Assembly, San Francisco, UXUI User Interface and Design 2018
Member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, 2002 – 2008
Board member for the Golden Triangle Advertising Federation, 2003
Public Relations Chair for the Golden Triangle Advertising Federation, 2002 – 2004
Cochair for the 2003 Golden Triangle Advertising Federation Addy Awards
Member of the Columbus Arts Council Guild, 2002 – 2003
Publications Coordinator for Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority,
Mississippi State University, 1999
Studied abroad in Puebla, Mexico and London, England