I am a Santa Monica-based graphic designer and marketing consultant with over a decade of experience helping startups and established brands build cohesive visual identities and high-impact campaigns. I specialize in creating logos, packaging, banners, presentations, and complete brand packages, and I excel at directing photoshoots and performing advanced retouching to ensure top-quality visuals. I lead targeted email campaigns and social media graphics that drive engagement, and I enjoy collaborating across teams to bring creative concepts to life. My background spans communications, real estate marketing, jewelry branding, and event promotion. I am proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva Pro, WordPress, and AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney to accelerate results.…

Melissa Rice

I am a Santa Monica-based graphic designer and marketing consultant with over a decade of experience helping startups and established brands build cohesive visual identities and high-impact campaigns. I specialize in creating logos, packaging, banners, presentations, and complete brand packages, and I excel at directing photoshoots and performing advanced retouching to ensure top-quality visuals. I lead targeted email campaigns and social media graphics that drive engagement, and I enjoy collaborating across teams to bring creative concepts to life. My background spans communications, real estate marketing, jewelry branding, and event promotion. I am proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva Pro, WordPress, and AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney to accelerate results.…

Available to hire

I am a Santa Monica-based graphic designer and marketing consultant with over a decade of experience helping startups and established brands build cohesive visual identities and high-impact campaigns. I specialize in creating logos, packaging, banners, presentations, and complete brand packages, and I excel at directing photoshoots and performing advanced retouching to ensure top-quality visuals.

I lead targeted email campaigns and social media graphics that drive engagement, and I enjoy collaborating across teams to bring creative concepts to life. My background spans communications, real estate marketing, jewelry branding, and event promotion. I am proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva Pro, WordPress, and AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney to accelerate results.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Graphic Design & Marketing Consultant at MLR Designs
January 1, 2007 - Present
Provided creative and marketing services to a diverse client base from startups to established brands. Designed logos, banners, packaging, billboards, PowerPoint presentations, and corporate identity packages to drive cohesive branding. Directed and coordinated professional photoshoots, performing complex photo manipulation and retouching for high-visibility campaigns. Created targeted email campaigns and social media graphics contributing to measurable engagement growth.
Communications Manager at Sinai Temple
December 31, 2023 - August 15, 2025
Directed comprehensive social media campaigns across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, alongside email communications and graphic design projects. Collaborated with the communications team on high-impact campaigns for major events, boosting Purim pre-sale ticket purchases by 50%. Developed strategic holiday plans promoting new senior Rabbis and catering options. Successfully revamped email templates for Constant Contact, reducing unsubscribes by 11%. Established Sinai Temple's TikTok presence, orchestrating a Hanukkah video campaign achieving 1,000+ views per night.
Social Media Manager (Part-time Volunteer) at Entertaining Older Folks
December 31, 2023 - August 15, 2025
Created and managed compelling social media content tailored to senior citizens on multiple platforms. Strategized optimized posting schedules and cross-platform campaigns, resulting in 13% growth in YouTube subscribers. Curated relevant online articles to stimulate discussions and engagement among the elderly community, increasing interaction and fostering a welcoming social environment.
Director of Marketing & Operations at PAR Commercial Brokerage
December 31, 2022 - August 15, 2025
Led brand identity revamp for consistent property marketing, spearheading creative initiatives that gained 20-30 new clients annually. Implemented Crexi.com increasing inquiries by 30%. Managed office operations, IT support, HR tasks, and property listings on industry websites and WordPress. Executed targeted email marketing campaigns and performed extensive photo retouching and copywriting to expedite offer generation.
Senior Marketing Manager at Super Bell Jewelry
December 31, 2016 - August 15, 2025
Directed the Graphics & Marketing Department, focusing on digital marketing and brand visibility. Contributed to strategic planning impacting product development and company growth. Developed and launched the 'trade network' program for independent retailers. Revamped website design, logos, trade publications, and PowerPoint presentations. Managed photoshoots and content creation for new products, enhancing vendor relationships and increasing sales by 30%. Represented the company at nationwide trade shows and engaged with key customers.
Freelance Graphic Designer at Transformations
December 31, 2014 - August 15, 2025
Partnered with the CEO to develop innovative marketing concepts and materials across various product lines, including logos, presentations, and packaging. Directed photoshoots and crafted compelling copy to produce high-quality visual content aligned with brand goals.
Regional Marketing Director at Keller Williams Realty
December 31, 2011 - August 15, 2025
Led marketing strategies unifying nine franchised offices into a cohesive, high-end real estate brand. Optimized ad space allocation for Caravan Express, increasing weekly profits. Designed and executed property showcases in MLS Magazine and LA Times. Managed email marketing campaigns to recruit agents and promote listings.
Freelance Art Director at Charlie Lapson Group
December 31, 2010 - August 15, 2025
Developed promotional materials including advertisements, flyers, and style sheets to enhance public and buyer recognition of Charlie Lapson's designs. Performed heavy photo retouching of celebrities with designer products for marketing purposes.
Interim Marketing Director at Olympia Medical Center
December 31, 2008 - August 15, 2025
Created and implemented marketing plans increasing community awareness and improving in-house creative processes. Developed targeted campaigns for multiple specialties, streamlined design operations saving significant costs, represented hospital at events, and collaborated cross-functionally to optimize marketing budgets.
Communications Manager at Sinai Temple
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Directed comprehensive social media campaigns across platforms, email communications, and graphic design; collaborated on high-impact campaigns for major events (e.g., Purim) resulting in a 50% boost in pre-sale ticket purchases; developed strategic holiday plans and revamped email templates to reduce unsubscribes; established and managed TikTok presence with engaging content.
Social Media Manager (Part-time Volunteer) at Entertaining Older Folks
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Developed and managed social media content across multiple platforms; strategized posting schedules and cross-platform campaigns, growing YouTube subscribers; curated relevant articles to stimulate discussions and feedback from seniors; increased engagement through tailored content and active interaction.
Director of Marketing & Operations at PAR Commercial Brokerage
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2022
Implemented brand identity revamp for consistent property marketing; led creative marketing initiatives resulting in 20-30 new clients annually; implemented Crexi.com to increase inquiries by 30%; managed office operations, IT support, HR tasks; managed property listings and executed targeted email campaigns; performed photo retouching and copywriting for quick offer generation.
Senior Marketing Manager at Super Bell Jewelry
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2016
Led the Graphics & Marketing Department, contributed to strategic planning, supported new product development, revamped branding and communications, and represented the company at nationwide trade shows; enhanced partner/vendor relationships and drove a significant sales increase.
Freelance Graphic Designer at Transformations
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2014
Collaborated with CEO to develop innovative marketing materials across multiple product lines; directed photoshoots, crafted compelling copy, and produced high-quality visual content for campaigns.
Regional Marketing Director at Keller Williams Realty
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2011
Orchestrated a unified, high-end brand across nine franchised offices; optimized ad space and increased profit; designed weekly Caravan Spreads in MLS Magazine and managed LA Times weekend spreads; led Constant Contact email campaigns to recruit agents and promote listings.
Freelance Art Director at Charlie Lapson Group
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2010
Conceptualized and executed promotional materials; designed line and style sheets; performed heavy photo retouching of celebrities for promotions; prepared materials for public promotion.
Interim Marketing Director at Olympia Medical Center
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008
Created and executed marketing plans to raise community awareness; developed targeted campaigns for multiple medical specialties; streamlined in-house design operations to reduce costs; represented the hospital at community events and collaborated cross-functionally to allocate marketing budget.
Social Media Manager at Entertaining Older Folks
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Developed and managed compelling social media content across multiple platforms to engage senior citizens. Strategized posting schedules and cross-platform campaigns, resulting in a 13% growth in YouTube subscribers. Curated pertinent online articles to stimulate discussion and feedback; fostered community through tailored content and active engagement on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Education

B.A. in Graphic Design at California State University, Northridge
August 12, 1996 - June 2, 1999
B.A. in Graphic Design at California State University, Northridge
January 11, 2030 - April 24, 2026
B.A. in Graphic Design at California State University, Northridge
January 11, 2030 - April 24, 2026
B.A. in Graphic Design at California State University, Northridge
January 11, 2030 - April 24, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Real Estate & Construction, Healthcare, Retail, Professional Services, Education

Skills

Experience Level