Senior Art Director /
Senior Graphic Designer
2017 - Present
Valerie Rausch Design Studio
Chicago, IL
Conceptual art director and creative graphic designer dedicated to helping individuals and businesses achieve their goals through innovative problem solving. With a focus on the user experience, I develop compelling and visually engaging design solutions in a variety of media: print, web/mobile, digital, exhibition, video, presentation, photography. It's not simply about creating a successful product, but also utilizing efficient processes and establishing a collaborative environment with my clients.
Clients include: Chicago Public Schools, International Association for Lighting Designers, International Dyslexia Association.
At CPS, I developed the brand identity for GoCPS to be visually engaging and easy to use for both students and parents. I designed the GoCPS website, collaborating with in-house and external developers. I worked across teams to design printed content and create email marketing. I guided the junior designer on branding design for exhibition collateral.
Global Creative Director
2016 - 2017
dunnhumby
Chicago, IL
Leading the visual design team with strategy and hands-on design to continuously evolve the dunnhumby brand, with website redesign, updated product brochures, and supporting bids through on-brand design. Owner of photography and guidelines across the company. Support, manage, and mentor internal and external designers to create strong design solutions.
Global Art Director
2013 - 2016
dunnhumby
Boston, MA
Art directing the visual design team, and partnering with the UX creative director, I've established a professional brand for dunnhumby, advancing major channels (website, brochures, exhibitions, thought leadership, video, infographics) with strategic and thoughtful design. As brand identity owner, I educate others on appropriate branding and how it can flex across mediums. I'm a hands-on art director who can get down and dirty in graphic design. Support, manage, and mentor internal and external designers across multiple locations, to create strong design solutions. Energetically inspire the entire team to collaborate, innovate, and succeed. Owner of photography and guidelines across the company. Research, conceptualize, budget, art direct global (US, UK, China) photoshoots, collaborating with photographers, stylists, producers, translators, models.
Art director
/ Senior Graphic Designer
2011 - 2013
BzzAgent
Boston, MA
Lead designer for the BzzAgent brand, including major initiatives to redesign the consumer and corporate websites. Designer and art directer for the redesign of the data analytics client portal site. Art director of an all-agent photoshoot that showcases who we are and is featured in multiple channels. As advocates of the agent experience, we focused on innovative concepts to create a better experience for agents while achieving results for clients and the business. Introduced and managed the Northeastern University co-op program, mentoring junior designers on good design practices. Challenged the team to be forward-thinkers and game-changers. Passionately brainstormed ideas, uncovering solid solutions, and implementing them through design.
Art Director
/ Senior Graphic Designer
2007 - 2011
Rue La La
Boston, MA
Art directed photoshoots for daily boutiques, energetically working with photographers, stylists, producers, models, hair & makeup teams to produce creative concepts in a fast-paced environment. Guided designers with clear communication and constructive motivation on the layouts for the boutiques. Oversaw guidelines and standards for Rue La La boutiques to ensure a consistent representation of the brand. Designed collateral for daily boutiques. Upheld design standards. Enthusiastically managed and motivated the designers on my team, and worked closely with the photography art director, copywriters, and producers.
Lead Graphic Designer
2005 - 2008
SmartBargains
Boston, MA
Managed the design team to create designs based on products and promotions. Art directed the email campaign, including conceptualization and guidance. Launched personalized email program, then revised design based on customer response. Worked intimately with marketing team to best reach our customers. Passionately mentored and encouraged junior designers to grow their talents.