I’m a graphic designer and illustrator with 12+ years turning brand, editorial, and educational concepts into polished final deliverables for clients across edtech, publishing, and gaming. I lead projects from concept through delivery—thriving under tight deadlines while maintaining craft and consistency.…

Crystal Colson

I’m a graphic designer and illustrator with 12+ years turning brand, editorial, and educational concepts into polished final deliverables for clients across edtech, publishing, and gaming. I lead projects from concept through delivery—thriving under tight deadlines while maintaining craft and consistency.…

Available to hire

I’m a graphic designer and illustrator with 12+ years turning brand, editorial, and educational concepts into polished final deliverables for clients across edtech, publishing, and gaming. I lead projects from concept through delivery—thriving under tight deadlines while maintaining craft and consistency.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Art Director (Sole Illustrator and Art Director) at Space Tenacity (indie Steam game)
January 1, 2026 - Present
Create all original vector artwork in a cohesive 2D sci-fi style for an indie Steam title; design and animate original characters; collaborate directly with the developer to align visual assets with gameplay needs; create all Steam store front assets.
Freelance Art Director & Illustrator (indie Steam game) at Space Tenacity
January 1, 2026 - Present
Sole illustrator and art director for an indie Steam game, producing cohesive original 2D sci-fi vector artwork across the project. Designed, animated, and illustrated original characters and collaborated directly with the game developer to align visual assets with gameplay and narrative needs. Created all Steam store front assets.
Freelance Art Director at Space Tenacity
January 1, 2026 - Present
Sole illustrator and art director for an indie Steam game, creating original vector artwork in a cohesive sci-fi style; designed characters and creatures; built scene and environment assets; defined color palette and visual tone; collaborated with the game developer to align visuals with gameplay.
Pro Bono Designer at Kidney For Kayla
February 1, 2024 - Present
Created impactful digital billboard and bus signage designs for community health awareness campaigns.
Volunteer Graphic Designer at Kidney For Kayla
February 1, 2024 - Present
Digital billboards & bus sign design for community outreach.
Community Engagement Volunteer (Designer & Pantry Volunteer) at Village Food Hub
January 1, 2023 - Present
Designed print and digital materials (emails, logo, and brochures) supporting community food access initiatives, and contributed to food distribution operations.
Volunteer Designer at Village Food Hub
January 1, 2023 - Present
Designed print and digital materials to support community food access initiatives; contributed to food distribution operations.
Volunteer Designer & Pantry Volunteer at Village Food Hub
January 1, 2023 - Present
Designing print and digital materials to support community food access initiatives; contribute to food distribution operations.
Contracted Design Manager & Multimedia Designer at CSA Education
November 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Managed an offshore team of 5 designers delivering educational resources across K-12 and adult education. Worked on two textbook layouts (The DBQ Project Mini-Qs in Florida History and Mini-Qs in Florida History), built HTML/CSS online course interfaces (Electrician and Interior Design courses), and produced multiple print materials. Developed storyboards and visual narratives for corporate hospitality training.
Design Manager & Multimedia Designer at CSA Education
November 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Managed a team of 5 designers to deliver educational resources across K-12 and adult education, including 4 textbook layouts, 2 online course interfaces, and multiple print materials; developed storyboards and visual narratives for corporate training; maintained brand consistency and met deadlines.
Freelance Design Manager & Multimedia Designer at CSA Education
November 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Managed a team of 5 designers delivering educational resources across K-12 and adult education; developed storyboards and visual narratives for corporate training and security videos; maintained brand consistency across multiple projects and formats under tight deadlines.
Freelance Production Artist / Web Designer / Design Manager at CSA Education
November 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Worked on K-12 & adult educational materials as Production Artist, Web Designer & Design Manager. Projects included K-12 History and Math textbook edits, development of online adult educational courses for Interior Design & Electrical training, and K-12 math worksheets.
Freelance Production Artist/Web Designer/Design Manager at CSA Education
November 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Edited K-12 History and Math textbook edits; development of online adult educational courses for Interior Design & Electrical training; and K-12 math worksheets.
Freelance Graphic Designer at Snow Weasels
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Recreated logo for a ski team’s 50th anniversary.
Graphic & Web Designer (Freelance) at Agile Creative Solutions
May 1, 2021 - February 28, 2023
Designed and developed 10 responsive websites, 100+ email campaigns, social media ads, and 2 brand identity systems; executed integrated multi-channel marketing campaigns and built cohesive brand systems from concept to delivery.
Freelance Graphic & Web Designer at Agile Creative Solutions
May 1, 2021 - February 1, 2023
Designed and developed 10 responsive websites, over 100 email campaigns, social media ads, and 2 brand identity systems; executed integrated multi-channel marketing campaigns; built cohesive brand systems from concept through delivery.
Freelance Graphic Designer at Agile Creative Solutions
May 1, 2021 - February 1, 2023
Digital production of emails, social media ads, websites, logos, and more.
Contracted Senior Graphic Designer at Lexia Learning Systems, LLC
October 1, 2016 - January 1, 2026
Led high-volume production of teacher- and student-facing educational materials (answer keys, student awards, flashcards, lesson plans, tests, and activities) across Lexia Rapid, Lexia Core 5, and Lexia PowerUp. Ensured WCAG accessibility compliance for educational design outputs while developing step-by-step software guides for end-user training. Designed K-12 English literacy worksheets and instructional materials supporting classroom use.
Senior Graphic Designer at Lexia Learning Systems, LLC
October 1, 2016 - January 1, 2026
Led high-volume design production of teacher-facing educational materials across print and digital formats, ensuring WCAG accessibility compliance; developed step-by-step guides and end-user training materials; designed English literacy worksheets and instructional materials to support K-12 learning.
Freelance Senior Graphic Designer at Lexia Learning Systems, LLC
October 1, 2016 - January 1, 2026
Led high-volume design production of teacher-facing educational materials across print and digital formats with WCAG accessibility compliance; developed step-by-step software guides and end-user training materials; designed English literacy worksheets and instructional materials for K-12.
Freelance Production Artist at Lexia Learning Systems, LLC
October 1, 2016 - Present
Producing K-12 educational digital & print materials related to software programs Core5, PowerUp, Lexia English & Rapid; accessibility updates and designing teacher-facing materials.
Contracted Production Designer at Aptara Corp.
March 1, 2016 - October 1, 2016
Produced print-ready layouts for two K-12 Scholastic educational books: Wild Weather: Rain and Ocean Animals: Sea Turtles. Created additional print materials including brochures and event handouts.
Production Designer (Freelance) at Aptara Corp.
March 1, 2016 - October 31, 2016
Produced print-ready layouts for Scholastic titles; created print materials including brochures and event handouts.
Freelance Production Designer at Aptara Corp.
March 1, 2016 - October 1, 2016
Produced print-ready layouts for two Scholastic educational titles; created print materials including brochures and event handouts.
Freelance Production Artist at Aptara, Corp.
March 1, 2016 - October 1, 2016
Contracted to aid in production of brochures, event itineraries, and two books; Scholastic’s Wild Weather: Rain & Scholastic’s Ocean Animals: Sea Turtles.
Graphic & Web Designer (Freelance) at The Round Agency
February 1, 2016 - June 30, 2020
Designed 50+ lifecycle email campaigns, promotional materials, and department communications; built and maintained brand identities under strict guidelines; implemented responsive design for optimal cross-device UX.
Freelance Digital Designer at The Round Agency
February 1, 2016 - June 1, 2020
Designed 50+ lifecycle email campaigns, promotional marketing materials, and department communications; maintained brand identities’ corporate guidelines through cross-channel marketing; implemented responsive design principles for multi-device UX.
Freelance Graphic Designer at The Round Agency
February 1, 2016 - June 1, 2020
Created digital assets, websites, cross-channel marketing, various emails (lifecycle, marketing & special departments), and brand identities for clients.
Freelance Graphic Designer at FVF Renovations
November 1, 2015 - January 1, 2019
Concept 2 brand identities and 1 website created for 2 different companies.
Contracted Book Formatter at Lamire Family (Founders of Lexia Learning Systems)
March 1, 2015 - April 1, 2015
Formatted and prepared a comprehensive book layout for Teach Me to Read: The Early History of Lexia Learning Systems.
Book Formatter at Lamire Family
March 1, 2015 - April 30, 2015
Designed comprehensive book layout for Teach Me to Read: The Early History of Lexia Learning Systems.
Freelance Book Formatter at Lamire Family (Founders of Lexia Learning Systems)
March 1, 2015 - April 1, 2015
Designed comprehensive book layout for Teach Me to Read: The Early History of Lexia Learning Systems.
Freelance Graphic Designer at Lamire Family Founders of Lexia Learning Systems LLC
March 1, 2015 - April 1, 2015
Book layout for Teach Me to Read, The Early History of Lexia Learning Systems, The Mission, and The Boy Who Inspired it All.
Freelance Graphic Designer at The Landscapers, Inc.
March 1, 2015 - April 1, 2015
Website creation for start-up landscaping company.
Junior Graphic & Web Designer at Dynamic Beacon
March 1, 2014 - February 1, 2016
Built responsive websites with custom CMS solutions; designed social media ad campaigns and email marketing materials; produced print materials and full brand identity packages from concept through final production, for automotive OEM brands.
Junior Graphic Designer at Dynamic Beacon
March 1, 2014 - February 1, 2016
Designed digital projects for multiple clients (social media ads, email marketing, CMS, website construction, responsive design), print materials, and brand identity.
Intern at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
February 1, 2014 - May 1, 2014
Developed cross-media design assets spanning print and digital, including presentations, newsletters, and brand identity work.

Education

BS in Graphic Design at New England Institute of Art
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014
BS in Graphic Design at New England Institute of Art
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014
Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design at New England Institute of Art
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014
Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design at New England Institute of Art
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014
Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design at New England Institute of Art
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014
Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design at New England Institute of Art
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Other, Healthcare, Gaming, Non-Profit Organization

Skills

Experience Level