Hi, I’m Michelina Portas, a versatile graphic designer with a background in editorial design, branding, packaging, and catalogs. I enjoy turning complex briefs into clear, visually engaging assets, collaborating with editors, marketers, photographers, and printers to deliver polished results on tight deadlines. Outside of design, I support community initiatives as a volunteer and festival organizer, and I help people bring order and style to their spaces through thoughtful home decoration and decluttering projects. I value storytelling, accessibility, and brand continuity across all touchpoints.…

Michelina Portas

Hi, I’m Michelina Portas, a versatile graphic designer with a background in editorial design, branding, packaging, and catalogs. I enjoy turning complex briefs into clear, visually engaging assets, collaborating with editors, marketers, photographers, and printers to deliver polished results on tight deadlines. Outside of design, I support community initiatives as a volunteer and festival organizer, and I help people bring order and style to their spaces through thoughtful home decoration and decluttering projects. I value storytelling, accessibility, and brand continuity across all touchpoints.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Michelina Portas, a versatile graphic designer with a background in editorial design, branding, packaging, and catalogs. I enjoy turning complex briefs into clear, visually engaging assets, collaborating with editors, marketers, photographers, and printers to deliver polished results on tight deadlines.

Outside of design, I support community initiatives as a volunteer and festival organizer, and I help people bring order and style to their spaces through thoughtful home decoration and decluttering projects. I value storytelling, accessibility, and brand continuity across all touchpoints.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Graphic Designer at Community Advocate Publishing Company
October 1, 2025 - Present
Part-time designer creating editorial, ad, and brand content for the Community Advocate Newspaper; collaborates with internal editorial and design teams to produce weekly papers in a fast-paced environment; designs and uploads web ads via Google Ad Manager; communicates with clients and print vendors to ensure timely release of weekly print materials.
Home Decor & Decluttering Specialist at The Thoughtful Home
January 1, 2024 - Present
Part-time interior storage planner specializing in luxury home organizing solutions that balance aesthetics with daily living functionality; expanding as a home consultant focused on design for daily living.
Lead Designer at Staples Corporate
June 1, 2007 - November 1, 2013
Collaborated with copywriters, designers, and marketing leaders to execute on-brand, best-in-class creative; designed and produced catalogs, brochures, digital ads, and in-store signage for Staples' B2B business; procured and directed photographers, videographers, and stylists for multiple campaign shoots.
Designer at Toy State Marketing
June 1, 2002 - June 1, 2007
Designed packaging, catalogs, sales materials, and trade show booths for the family of Toy State brands; reproduced packaging mechanicals and physical mockups to review toy presentation and shelf presence; created unique car art for each of the toy vehicles, while ensuring licensing requirements had been met.
Production Designer at A&H Manufacturing
January 1, 2002 - June 1, 2002
Prepared retail client artwork in Adobe Illustrator for D3 and Flexographic printing processes.
Head of Advertising - Volunteer at Our Lady of Mount Carmel & Loreto Church Italian Festival
January 1, 2015 - Present
Created a visual design system for the Annual Italian Festival; designed print, outdoor, and digital ads customized for a variety of local demographics; partnered with print vendors, media buyers, and website developers to steward brand continuity; managed social channels to create awareness and communicate festival goals, fundraising efforts, sponsorship opportunities, and event details to engage the online community.

Education

BFA - Graphic Design & Communications at University of Massachusetts at Amherst
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 2001

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

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