Zoe Wodarz

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MIDWEST / CBK, Cannon Falls, MN (Sept 2009 - )

Designer 

Holiday giftware with a focus on ornaments, trim, decor, and tabletop product categories

DEPARTMENT 56, Eden Prairie, MN  (2005 - Nov 21, 2008)

Assistant Product Designer  (August 2006 - Nov 21, 2008)

Assisted in the design and development of Department 56 seasonal giftware with a focus on trim, decor, and tabletop product categories.

Collaborated with design team in the creation and execution of product concepts,

original surface design, final digital art and production specs.

Researched trends and assisted in the development of seasonal trend presentations.

Other responsibilities included providing graphic design and production assistance

to external designers and preparing overseas trip collateral.

Key Accomplishments -

- Created Halloween line for 2009 introduction. Responsible for overall concept, icon and

pattern development, product design and specifications for final art.

1. -Increased departmental awareness of industry trends through websites/blogs, magazines, and discussion to facilitate product research.
   

- Helped create new digital template for final art and design specifications as well as

related design support tools.

Key Attributes -

- Efficient at turning around a high volume of projects in a given timeframe.

- Consistently dependable at anticipating and meeting deadlines.

- Highly creative and flexible when rendering digital art in diverse styles for various

product types.

- Enthusiastically resourceful in finding product inspiration, material reference, and

new innovations to assist the creative process.

Assistant Production Artist (December 2005 - August 2006)                                                       

Assisted Senior Product Designer in a variety of design projects and related tasks.

Created computer production of digital art and prepared final specs for vendor transfer of art.

Supported the design team in creative and project development.

NICHE RETAIL, Minneapolis, MN (2005)

Web Graphics Designer

Created seasonal graphics for 15 retail websites while managing collection and

correction of all website photography. Redesigned company logo and branding

after developing an environmental impact mission statement presentation and trend research.

Developed industry knowledge and attended demonstration seminars on all products.

CREATIS, Minneapolis, MN (2004 - 2005)

Staffing Specialist

Worked with MN companies to staff temporary creative talent for clients such as:

Best Buy, Target, Marshall Fields, Medtronic, Fairview, and Power Sentry.

Managed online newsletter, monthly billing spreadsheets, reformated employee

resume standards, created online employee forms and managed all portfolio photography.

Developed increased business communication skills with talent and clients.

GOODTHINGS, MN (2003)

Designer and Merchandiser

Created store signage, packaging, promotional collateral and product displays.

Worked extensively on secondary location store decor and store opening events.

Managed staff teams to prepare and move all stocked inventory to new store location.

Received training as a gift buyer and seasonal planner.

ANTHROPOLOGIE, Edina, MN   Temp Position (2001)                  

Designer/Merchandiser

Produced interior display and merchandising for store opening.

ULTA SALON AND COSMETICS, St. Louis Park, MN (2001)

Department Manager

Developed and implemented new marketing initiative increasing sales

consistently to twenty percent over national store average.

Managed staff of 5+ focused on cosmetics department.

COMPUTER EXPERTISE

Proficient in IBM and Mac operating systems

Adobe Photoshop  CS5 - Adobe Illustrator CS5 - Adobe InDesign CS3 - QuarkXpress -

Corel Painter IX - Microsoft PowerPoint - Word -  Excel - Adobe Acrobat - Filemaker -

Pending classes in - Dreamweaver & Flash.

EDUCATION

MINNEAPOLIS COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN, MN 2002 - 2003

Post Bac Program, GPA 3.8

Post Baccalaureate Certificate Visualization Program in marketing, advertising, and design.

Instruction in: Advertising Account Management, Marketing Concepts and Analysis,

Advertising Design, Typography, Packaging Design, Illustration and Project Planning.

BFA, DREW UNIVERSITY, NJ 1996 - 1999

Major: Studio Art and Environmental Studies

Teaching Assistant - Art Department

Additional College Credit: 1995 - 1999

Drew University - Contemporary Art Semester Program, NJ

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Summer Program

Art Institute of Chicago, IL - Summer Program

Scripps College, CA - 1995-96

NOLS- National Outdoor Leadership School, Idaho and Arizona wilderness leadership program