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LAURA PIAZZA, CPP

CURRENT EMPLOYMENT

Graphic Designer

University of New Hampshire at Manchester, Manchester, NH

5/06–current

  • Create designs for the college that fit within The University of New Hampshire’s existing identity, yet identify more to the different population of students that we see on the Manchester campus.

  • Design all print collateral within the branding guidelines of the University, including brochures, postcards, flyers, posters, catalogs, print ads, digital ads, billboards and a variety of other pieces from concept through completion.

  • Streamline the design process of recurring projects by creating style sheets and templates to efficiently make revisions when new content and imagery are required.

  • Work in the art director role on photoshoots for print pieces or choose appropriate stock imagery.

  • Gather bids from multiple printers, prepare files for press, and work closely with the printer through completion of jobs.

  • Strive in the fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment, both independently or part of our larger marketing team.

  • Work collaboratively with our content writer and communications specialist on recruitment projects, to design effective Google AdWords, retargeting banner ads, which includes multiple ads of different dimensions.

  • Write actions in Photoshop for both myself and our web specialist so we can utilize the software efficiencies to do the time-consuming tasks of sizing or duplicating effects on images.

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FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY

2006–present

  • Provide clients full-service graphic design and photography services for the design of flyers, brochure, books, websites, digital ads, and more for clients such as TDS Printing, NH World Affairs Counsel and private small businesses.

  • Freelance event photography, environmental portraiture and commercial photography for clients including MCPHS University, EVR Advertising and private small businesses.

  • Co-owned and operated Natural Expressions Wedding Photography from 2003–2011, in which I photographed 8–10 weddings per year, designed all marketing materials, maintained our website and designed wedding albums for clients.

 

RECIPES FOR REPAIR

Co-author/Photographer/Designer

2009–present

  • Designed Recipes for Repair, a 308-page book from concept to completion, including the cover design and the over 55 recipe images.

  • Co-wrote the book with my mother, Gail Piazza.

  • Design of all print and digital marketing materials associated with the book, including updates to the website.

  • Present at bookstores, libraries and conferences on the top of food-based healing and Lyme disease (the topic of the book).

Award: Best of Show, NHCC 29th Annual Juried Exhibition for graphic design, July 2017

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PREVIOUS POSITIONS

Associate Art Director

GN Netcom, Nashua, NH

March 2004–October 2005

  • Demonstrate creative layout and design skills in projects such as product guides, data sheets, trade show panels and trade show booths, all within the company’s established design parameters.

  • Successfully pick-up or pass off projects in a job-sharing type position with another freelance designer.

 

 

Creative Designer

Millennium Advertising, Concord, NH

March 2004–October 2005

  • Design and production for projects ranging from retail marketing to identity branding, for a variety of clients with differing needs, ranging from local hardware stores to large universities to ski areas and more.

  • Assumed responsibility for an established 56-page monthly snowmobiling newspaper. Tasks include design and layout of ads, articles, and features, proofreading, and supplying printer with flats - all in collaboration with the client.

  • Take existing ads, brochures or other marketing and reformat to desired specifications as well as work from concept to finish design.

 

 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER           

Kennedy Information, Inc., Peterborough, NH

September 1997–December 2003

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1998–2003, Newsletter Production Manager

  • Responsible for scheduling, laying out, and sending nine monthly newsletters to press and coordinating layout with five editors in four locations throughout the Northeast and internationally.

  • Completed numerous successful design projects, including brochures, book covers, CD covers, direct mail pieces, magazine ads, product shots and more, from initial design through final stages of printing.

  • Designed company web site as well as banner ads to market products and services on other websites.

 

 

2000–2001, Associate Art Director

  • Responsible for the design of Executive Talent Journal – an 88-page quarterly publication – including the cover story, seven feature articles, and five departments.

  • Hired illustrators and photographers to create art for articles and orchestrated photo shoots – also assumed the role of photographer.

  • Worked with art director, editor, and proofreader to get pages press-ready, then reviewed and approved proofs from printshop.

 

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1997–1998, Production Assistant

  • Responsible for layout of three newsletters and design of marketing pieces for company products.

 

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EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

Professional Photographer’s of America

Certified Professional Photographer, September 2009

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New Hampshire Institute of Art, Manchester, NH

Certificate of Photography, May 2003

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Keene State College, Keene, NH

BA, Graphic Design & Photography, May 1997

 

 

 

CONTINUED EDUCATION

  • InDesign and Photoshop conferences.

  • Dozens of photography and photo editing seminars and classes through professional organizations.

  • Web design and web coding workshops.

  • Web authoring course at UNH Manchester.

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