DESIGNER & STRATEGIST For 30+ years, I’ve been producing results-driven creative for a diverse customer base. I am a strategist at heart and have a successful track record for bringing a variety of marketing messages to life — delivering through both social and traditional channels (print, radio, video, outdoor, etc). Bringing 20+ years experience to the table, I'm both efficient and exceptional at meeting clients' needs.…

Jody Kolars

DESIGNER & STRATEGIST For 30+ years, I’ve been producing results-driven creative for a diverse customer base. I am a strategist at heart and have a successful track record for bringing a variety of marketing messages to life — delivering through both social and traditional channels (print, radio, video, outdoor, etc). Bringing 20+ years experience to the table, I'm both efficient and exceptional at meeting clients' needs.…

Available to hire

DESIGNER & STRATEGIST For 30+ years, I’ve been producing results-driven creative for a diverse customer base. I am a strategist at heart and have a successful track record for bringing a variety of marketing messages to life — delivering through both social and traditional channels (print, radio, video, outdoor, etc).

Bringing 20+ years experience to the table, I’m both efficient and exceptional at meeting clients’ needs.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Graphic Designer at Star Tribune
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 2004
• Concept and design layouts • Complete all rounds of creative changes from internal reviews and clients • Source artwork (stock sources or custom) • Choose photographers and lead photoshoots • Follow projects through to production
Freelance Senior Graphic Designer at Kolars Marketing
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2009
• Manage client relationships • Concept and design layouts • Presentations of creative work to key stakeholders • Complete all rounds of creative changes from internal reviews and clients • Source artwork (stock sources or custom) • Choose photographers and lead photoshoots • Follow projects through to production • Manage project budgets and billing
Co-Owner/Creative Director at Frank
January 1, 2009 - January 2, 2017
• Manage client relationships • Lead creative teams • Manage budgets • Coordinate with other freelancers/agencies and businesses • Concept and design layouts (when necessary) • Present creative and gathering feedback • Propose media placement • Source printing • Manage vendor relationships
Senior Graphic Designer/Art Director at Kolars Marketing
January 2, 2017 - Present
• Review necessary materials and information for projects • Concept/Brainstorm creative solutions for projects • Work with copywriters, as needed • Design initial creative layouts/options • Present creative and gather feedback • Communicate regularly with client • Make edits through completion on projects • Complete work on time and error-free • Maintain client relationships • Lead other team member(s); as needed

Education

BA Degree at Bethel University
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1993

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services
    uniE621 Award-Winning Marketing Campaigns for Colleges
    From email to digital to print tactics, I concept and design campaigns for small- to mid-size colleges looking to attract the perfect demographic to their college. I acquaint myself with each of their individual brand standards/guidelines and develop campaigns that align with their branding.…
    uniE621 Guerrilla Marketing Tactic
    This was a guerrilla tactic meant to disrupt/surprise the recipient and educate them about Crafted ERP's features and benefits and encourage them to switch to their software. In doing so, they might just be the on the next cover of Beer Illustrated or Spirits Illustrated. In addition to designing the layout for the package, I found each prospect’s photo and placed it on the cover.…
    uniE621 Annual Report for the Minneapolis Airport
    I've partnered with the MSP airport on this project, in different capacities, since 2019. From concept to production, typically I put together 2-3 concepts/themes for them to choose from. Then, I build out the internal pages using elements from the chosen concept.…
    uniE621 Infographic about enterprise software success
    My former company worked in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) communications. This infographic was used to tell the story of how projects fail when they don't engage their employees in the "why" of their business decisions. Without change management, a company's project is left to fail as employees are the KEY in their success.…