I'm Karen Madsen, a Dublin-based designer and marketer with over 20 years of experience crafting engaging visuals and brand experiences across packaging, digital products, and marketing campaigns. I help brands tell their stories with clear, practical design and hands-on marketing that delivers results. I love turning ideas into clear, consistent brand stories through graphic design, content creation, and social media strategy, delivering practical, high-quality work for small businesses and creative teams.…

Karen Madsen

I'm Karen Madsen, a Dublin-based designer and marketer with over 20 years of experience crafting engaging visuals and brand experiences across packaging, digital products, and marketing campaigns. I help brands tell their stories with clear, practical design and hands-on marketing that delivers results. I love turning ideas into clear, consistent brand stories through graphic design, content creation, and social media strategy, delivering practical, high-quality work for small businesses and creative teams.…

Available to hire

I’m Karen Madsen, a Dublin-based designer and marketer with over 20 years of experience crafting engaging visuals and brand experiences across packaging, digital products, and marketing campaigns. I help brands tell their stories with clear, practical design and hands-on marketing that delivers results.

I love turning ideas into clear, consistent brand stories through graphic design, content creation, and social media strategy, delivering practical, high-quality work for small businesses and creative teams.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Marketing Manager / Content Creator at Java The Hut Coffee Roasters
August 1, 2024 - Present
Social media content creation across Meta, TikTok and LinkedIn; Developing and implementing marketing plans; Monitoring market trends, analyzing data, and researching customer behavior; Brand management and ensuring consistent messaging.
Graphic Designer at Signarama
July 1, 2024 - Present
Prepare print production ready artwork for signage and vehicle graphics; Photo manipulation; Redrawing of vector graphics in preparation of production.
Receptionist / Retail Assistant at Ardgillan Castle
July 1, 2024 - Present
Greeting of guests and providing information on tours and events; Managing phone / email enquiries and bookings; Assisting with social media, website updates, and promotional content; Managing the craft shop (stock control).
Graphic / Digital Designer at Cloud Picker Coffee
October 31, 2023 - September 10, 2025
Design and layout of all packaging and labels; Print production ready artwork for packaging, in-store POS, event and other physical product and marketing requirements; Creation of digital assets including websites, emails, social media; Photography of products; Image manipulation; Website management; Product profiling; Newsletter and social media copywriting; Social media management.
Graphic / Digital Designer (Contractor) at Oliver Agency
October 31, 2021 - September 10, 2025
On-site designer at Bank of Ireland, Lidl Ireland and Dalata Hotel Group; Collaborating with creative team to design and produce digital artwork for marketing and promotional materials; Production of print and promotional items.
Graphic / Digital Designer (Contractor) at Power Design
June 30, 2019 - September 10, 2025
Design and delivery of printed and online info-graphics, literature, brochures, government reports and public awareness campaigns.
Graphic / Digital Designer at The Parlour Press
October 31, 2018 - September 10, 2025
Owner; wedding and event stationery design; managing advertising workflow; photographing products; conceptualisation of visuals based on client requirements.
Graphic / Digital Designer at NewsFour
October 31, 2013 - September 10, 2025
Designing / illustrating client advertisements for both website and print; responsible for design and maintenance of the website.
Packaging Designer at Neworld Associates
July 31, 2010 - September 10, 2025
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics, illustrations and designs for packaging projects; Client liaison; Company naming; Art direction for photographers during shoots; Food styling direction; Final layout assembly for printing.
Graphic Designer at Design Tactics
June 30, 2006 - September 10, 2025
Design of logos, brochures and packaging for key clients.
Graphic Designer at Artefact
June 30, 2003 - September 10, 2025
Various design assignments including logos, brochures and packaging for multiple clients.
Marketing Manager / Content Creator at Java The Hut Coffee Roasters
August 1, 2024 - Present
Social media content creation across Meta, TikTok and LinkedIn; developing and implementing marketing plans; identifying target audiences, setting goals, and creating strategies to achieve them; monitoring market trends, analyzing data, and researching customer behavior; brand management to ensure consistent messaging and a positive brand image.
Graphic Designer (Part-time freelance) at Signarama
July 1, 2024 - Present
Prepare print production ready artwork for signage and vehicle graphics; photo manipulation; redrawing of vector graphics in preparation for production.
Receptionist / Retail Assistant at Ardgillan Castle
July 1, 2024 - Present
Greeting of guests and providing information on tours and events; managing phone and email enquiries and bookings; assisting with social media and website updates, promotional content; managing the craft shop (stock control etc.).
Graphic / Digital Designer at Cloud Picker Coffee
October 31, 2023 - September 10, 2025
Design and layout of all packaging and labels; print production ready artwork for packaging, in-store POS, events and other physical product marketing requirements; creation of assets to support digital product and marketing activity including websites, email, social media; photography of new products; image manipulation; website management; assigning new profiles for products; copy-writing for newsletters and social media; social media management.
Graphic / Digital Designer (Contractor) at Oliver Agency
October 31, 2021 - September 10, 2025
On-site designer at Bank of Ireland, Lidl Ireland and Dalata Hotel Group; collaborate with creative team to design and produce digital artwork for marketing and promotional materials; production of print and promotional items.
Graphic / Digital Designer (Contractor) at Power Design
June 30, 2019 - September 10, 2025
Design and delivery of printed and online infographics, literature, brochures, government reports and public awareness campaigns.
Owner / Graphic / Digital Designer at The Parlour Press
October 31, 2018 - September 10, 2025
Designer of wedding and event stationery; managing advertising workflow; photographing products for website; conceptualisation of visuals based on client requirements.
Graphic / Digital Designer at NewsFour
October 31, 2013 - September 10, 2025
Designing / illustrating client advertisements for both website and print; responsible for design and maintenance of website.
Packaging Designer at Neworld Associates
July 31, 2010 - September 10, 2025
Coordination and production of graphics, illustrations and designs for packaging projects; client liaison; company naming; art direction for photographers and food stylists; final layouts for printing; key clients include Barry’s Tea, Glenisk, Brennans Bread, Cully & Sully, Erin Soups.
Graphic Designer at Design Tactics
June 30, 2006 - September 10, 2025
Complete design assignments including logos, brochures and packaging; key clients: Fáilte Ireland, Java Republic Coffee, Musgraves.
Graphic Designer at Artefact
June 30, 2003 - September 10, 2025
Complete design assignments including logos, brochures and packaging; key clients: Fáilte Ireland, Boyne Valley Foods, Musgraves, Kerry.

Education

Certificate in Animation (FETAC 6) at Pulse College, Dublin
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2021
Website Design (FETAC 5) at IBAT College Swords, County Dublin
January 11, 2030 - September 10, 2025
Advanced Desktop Publishing (FETAC 6/7) at Moresoft Computers, Leeson St.
January 11, 2030 - September 10, 2025
Diploma in Graphic Reproduction Technology (FETAC 7) at TU, Bolton St.
January 11, 2030 - September 10, 2025
Certificate in Display Design (FETAC 6) at TU, Mountjoy Square
January 11, 2030 - September 10, 2025
Certificate in Animation FETAC 6 at Pulse College, Dublin 7
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2021
Website Design FETAC 5 at IBAT College Swords, County Dublin
January 11, 2030 - September 10, 2025
Web Design and Construction at Arthouse, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
January 11, 2030 - September 10, 2025
Advanced Desktop Publishing at Moresoft Computers, Leeson St., Dublin 2
January 11, 2030 - September 10, 2025
Diploma in Graphic Reproduction Technology FETAC 7 at TU, Bolton St. Dublin 1
January 11, 2030 - September 10, 2025
Certificate in Display Design FETAC 6 at TU, Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1
January 11, 2030 - September 10, 2025

Qualifications

IPA Print Awards 2022 - Silver & Bronze, Best Use of Print / Special Packaging
January 1, 2022 - September 10, 2025
Certificate in Animation FETAC 6
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2021
Certificate in Display Design FETAC 6
January 11, 2030 - September 10, 2025
Diploma in Graphic Reproduction Technology FETAC 7
January 11, 2030 - September 10, 2025
Certificate in Website Design FETAC 5
January 11, 2030 - September 10, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Retail, Software & Internet, Education

Skills

Experience Level