I am an illustrator and designer with a passion for creative storytelling through visuals. I have creative vision, an expansive design vocabulary, excellent typography skills and the ability to lead and communicate effectively with others—internally and externally. My experience collaborating with editors, reporters and photographers on content and presentation has given me the confidence to seek a new challenge. I have produced multi-page publications including cookbooks, quarterly publications and monthly magazines, and I have experience with traditional news design in fast-paced environments. I taught myself and my team to work in many print and digital programs such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, WordPress and Mailchimp, and I have overseen daily website updates and photo gallery editing.

Claire Innes

I am an illustrator and designer with a passion for creative storytelling through visuals. I have creative vision, an expansive design vocabulary, excellent typography skills and the ability to lead and communicate effectively with others—internally and externally. My experience collaborating with editors, reporters and photographers on content and presentation has given me the confidence to seek a new challenge. I have produced multi-page publications including cookbooks, quarterly publications and monthly magazines, and I have experience with traditional news design in fast-paced environments. I taught myself and my team to work in many print and digital programs such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, WordPress and Mailchimp, and I have overseen daily website updates and photo gallery editing.

Available to hire

I am an illustrator and designer with a passion for creative storytelling through visuals. I have creative vision, an expansive design vocabulary, excellent typography skills and the ability to lead and communicate effectively with others—internally and externally.

My experience collaborating with editors, reporters and photographers on content and presentation has given me the confidence to seek a new challenge. I have produced multi-page publications including cookbooks, quarterly publications and monthly magazines, and I have experience with traditional news design in fast-paced environments. I taught myself and my team to work in many print and digital programs such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, WordPress and Mailchimp, and I have overseen daily website updates and photo gallery editing.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Designer at Chicago Tribune Media
January 1, 2021 - Present
Designed Naperville monthly magazine including photo editing and print and digital production using InDesign, Photoshop, and Acrobat programs.
Design Team Leader at Lee Enterprises
October 31, 2021 - July 24, 2025
Managed a team of designers to produce feature pages for over 80 papers, covering sections like Food, Travel, Homes, Lifestyle, and Entertainment.
Art Director/Design Manager at Wednesday Journal – Chicago Parent
December 31, 2020 - July 24, 2025
Produced four weekly papers and the monthly Chicago Parent Magazine. Maintained websites updates, photo galleries, and Facebook pages using various computer programs including Adobe Creative Suite and HTML.
Design Director Visual Team Leader at Post-Tribune – Sun-Times Media
December 31, 2011 - July 24, 2025
Led visual team and worked with online producers and editors. Served as acting editor for features sections, assigning stories and managing all aspects of production.
Art Director for Travel at Chicago Tribune
December 31, 2007 - July 24, 2025
Directed travel section as art director, managed team of designers and graphic artists for online special reports. Oversaw illustration, photography, and studio photography including fashion and food styling.
Designer at CHICAGO CHEF COOKBOOK
January 1, 2024 - Present
Cookbook design with 52 local chefs' recipes in collaboration with Mariano's; multi-page publication.
Design Team Leader at LEE ENTERPRISES
March 1, 2020 - October 1, 2021
Design Team Leader managing a team of designers to produce feature pages for 80+ papers; Food, Travel, Homes, Lifestyle and Entertainment sections.
Art Director/Design Manager at WEDNESDAY JOURNAL – CHICAGO PARENT
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2020
Art Director/Design Manager producing four weekly papers and the monthly Chicago Parent Magazine; expert in Adobe Creative Suite, HTML and website maintenance.
Design Director / Visual Team Leader at POST-TRIBUNE – SUN-TIMES MEDIA
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2011
Design Director; Features Editor for Food, Entertainment and Art; acting Editor for Features; managed production and online components.
Art Director at CHICAGO TRIBUNE
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 2007
Art Director for Travel; Visual Team Leader for Online Special Reports; directed illustrators, graphic designers and photographers; managed studio photography and model/stylist coordination; led internet-based Special Reports.

Education

BFA at The University of Michigan
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1994
BFA at The University of Michigan
January 11, 2030 - February 10, 2026
Non-accredited degree at The Portfolio Center
January 11, 2030 - February 10, 2026

Qualifications

BFA
January 11, 2030 - February 10, 2026
Non-accredited degree
January 11, 2030 - February 10, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Retail, Travel & Hospitality, Professional Services, Education, Other