I'm a graphic designer and social media manager with over seven years of experience building visual brands for organizations and individuals. My background includes designing for a multi-campus church serving thousands weekly, self-publishing and selling city guide and date-card products through my lifestyle brand, Sydventures, and launching Sydney Nolan Creative, my independent design business in Rochester, New York. I care about specificity in work that genuinely sounds and looks like the person or place it represents, and I notice the details that others often miss. I enjoy growing brands, collaborating with creative and communications teams, and finding the next brand or story worth telling well.…

Sydney Nolan

I'm a graphic designer and social media manager with over seven years of experience building visual brands for organizations and individuals. My background includes designing for a multi-campus church serving thousands weekly, self-publishing and selling city guide and date-card products through my lifestyle brand, Sydventures, and launching Sydney Nolan Creative, my independent design business in Rochester, New York. I care about specificity in work that genuinely sounds and looks like the person or place it represents, and I notice the details that others often miss. I enjoy growing brands, collaborating with creative and communications teams, and finding the next brand or story worth telling well.…

Available to hire

I’m a graphic designer and social media manager with over seven years of experience building visual brands for organizations and individuals. My background includes designing for a multi-campus church serving thousands weekly, self-publishing and selling city guide and date-card products through my lifestyle brand, Sydventures, and launching Sydney Nolan Creative, my independent design business in Rochester, New York.

I care about specificity in work that genuinely sounds and looks like the person or place it represents, and I notice the details that others often miss. I enjoy growing brands, collaborating with creative and communications teams, and finding the next brand or story worth telling well.

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Work Experience

Founder at Sydney Nolan Creative
January 1, 2026 - Present
Launched an independent design business offering custom memory books, brand identity, and social media content for small businesses. Built the business infrastructure, including a portfolio site, client inquiry system, pricing structure, brand identity, and business cards. Designed an end-to-end memory book production workflow that enables clients to submit photos and receive finished keepsake books without managing printing themselves.
Creative Team Volunteer at Faith Church
January 1, 2026 - Present
Designs weekly sermon graphics, Instagram Stories, and social content for a growing non-denominational church. Created visual assets including Stay Connected, Follow Our Socials, Men's Morning Prayer, and Monday Night Prayer graphics. Proposed and built a sermon-notes submission system for guest preachers and collaborates with pastoral and communications leadership on weekly content needs and brand consistency.
Founder at Sydventures
January 1, 2025 - Present
Created and self-published two city guide products covering San Diego and Rochester, with 25–35 curated locations in each edition, designed end-to-end in InDesign. Launched Rochester, Go On a Date, a recurring physical and digital date-card product with a QR-linked twice-monthly content refresh. Sold San Diego guide copies and generated initial date-card sales through targeted Facebook advertising. Grows and manages a Rochester-focused lifestyle Instagram audience.
Social Media Manager at Settie Social
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2021
Oversaw the social media presence for fashion entrepreneur Maria Shireen, producing branded graphics and tailored campaigns. Planned and launched monthly content strategies that strengthened brand awareness and engagement, and partnered with marketing teams on campaigns that increased follower growth and product visibility.
Social Media Manager at Financially Joyful
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2021
Managed Instagram strategy and the content calendar for a growing finance-focused brand. Designed branded visuals and campaigns that increased follower count and engagement, and developed monthly marketing plans aligned with brand messaging and audience needs.
Graphic Designer at San Diego Bay Adventures
January 1, 2020 - November 4, 2025
Created promotional materials and graphics for various adventure services, contributing to visual branding and marketing efforts.
Social Media Manager at The Paintball Park
January 1, 2020 - November 4, 2025
Managed and developed social media content strategies, increasing audience engagement and brand loyalty through effective online presence.
Graphic Designer at Y Marketing
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020
Developed branding and marketing materials for various client projects, focusing on innovative design and effective advertising strategies.
Graphic Designer at The Paintball Park
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2020
Designed brochures, banners, signage, and branded content to attract and retain customers. Collaborated with marketing staff to develop cohesive campaigns and promotional materials.
Graphic Designer at Awaken Church
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019
Responsible for creating visual graphics and media for church events and services, enhancing community engagement through visual storytelling.
Graphic Designer at San Diego Bay Adventures
January 1, 2018 - Present
Created branded marketing materials for tourism and recreation services. Presented design concepts to clients and incorporated feedback into final deliverables.
Graphic Designer at Awaken Church
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2025
Worked as one of the primary designers for a multi-campus organization serving thousands weekly. Produced digital, print, and stage visuals, including branding packages, LED displays, flyers, and social graphics. Supervised and trained designers, planned and executed large-scale campaigns that enhanced event attendance and online engagement, and collaborated cross-functionally with pastors, event staff, and communications teams to align visuals with organizational goals.

Education

Bachelor's Degree at Point Loma Nazarene University
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor's Degree at Southeastern University
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2020
Graphic Design at Point Loma Nazarene University
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2017
B.A. Digital Media & Design at Southeastern University
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2020

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Travel & Hospitality, Financial Services, Professional Services, Retail
    Awaken Church: Six Years of Creative Design

    Six years of designing for a multi-campus church in San Diego. Not just graphics, but the full visual language of a community. Sermon series, seasonal campaigns, event branding, social media, and large-scale LED screen content, all created under real deadlines and real stakes. This is where I learned that design isn’t decoration. It’s how a message finds its people.