I am writing to express my interest in a Graphic Designer position within your organization. With over a twenty years of professional design experience and my current role as Graphic Design Team Lead, I bring a strong combination of creative expertise, production efficiency, and leadership in fast-paced publishing environments. In my current role, I lead the design and production of Siouxland Woman Magazine, a monthly publication of up to 100 pages, as well as the Siouxland Real Estate Guide, a weekly publication produced on a rapid turnaround schedule. I manage the full design lifecycle—from concept development and branding alignment to final production—while coordinating closely with sales, editorial, and print teams. I also oversee flat planning, CRM tracking, and ensure all projects meet strict deadlines without compromising quality. Alongside my full-time role, I have maintained a long-standing freelance design business, partnering directly with clients to develop effective marketing materials across multiple platforms. My freelance experience has strengthened my ability to communicate clearly, manage multiple projects, and deliver creative solutions that meet both aesthetic and business goals. I am highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Bridge, and experienced in managing both print and digital campaigns. My technical skills also include tools such as Constant Contact, MailChimp, ISSUU, CRM systems, and QR code generation, as well as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications. This diverse skill set allows me to efficiently execute projects from concept through distribution across multiple channels. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my creativity, attention to detail, and proven ability to manage high-volume workloads to your team. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience can support your organization’s goals.

Ashley Carrison

I am writing to express my interest in a Graphic Designer position within your organization. With over a twenty years of professional design experience and my current role as Graphic Design Team Lead, I bring a strong combination of creative expertise, production efficiency, and leadership in fast-paced publishing environments. In my current role, I lead the design and production of Siouxland Woman Magazine, a monthly publication of up to 100 pages, as well as the Siouxland Real Estate Guide, a weekly publication produced on a rapid turnaround schedule. I manage the full design lifecycle—from concept development and branding alignment to final production—while coordinating closely with sales, editorial, and print teams. I also oversee flat planning, CRM tracking, and ensure all projects meet strict deadlines without compromising quality. Alongside my full-time role, I have maintained a long-standing freelance design business, partnering directly with clients to develop effective marketing materials across multiple platforms. My freelance experience has strengthened my ability to communicate clearly, manage multiple projects, and deliver creative solutions that meet both aesthetic and business goals. I am highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Bridge, and experienced in managing both print and digital campaigns. My technical skills also include tools such as Constant Contact, MailChimp, ISSUU, CRM systems, and QR code generation, as well as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications. This diverse skill set allows me to efficiently execute projects from concept through distribution across multiple channels. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my creativity, attention to detail, and proven ability to manage high-volume workloads to your team. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience can support your organization’s goals.

Available to hire

I am writing to express my interest in a Graphic Designer position within your organization. With over a twenty years of professional design experience and my current role as Graphic Design Team Lead, I bring a strong combination of creative expertise, production efficiency, and leadership in fast-paced publishing environments.
In my current role, I lead the design and production of Siouxland Woman Magazine, a monthly publication of up to 100 pages, as well as the Siouxland Real Estate Guide, a weekly publication produced on a rapid turnaround schedule. I manage the full design lifecycle—from concept development and branding alignment to final production—while coordinating closely with sales, editorial, and print teams. I also oversee flat planning, CRM tracking, and ensure all projects meet strict deadlines without compromising quality.
Alongside my full-time role, I have maintained a long-standing freelance design business, partnering directly with clients to develop effective marketing materials across multiple platforms. My freelance experience has strengthened my ability to communicate clearly, manage multiple projects, and deliver creative solutions that meet both aesthetic and business goals.
I am highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Bridge, and experienced in managing both print and digital campaigns. My technical skills also include tools such as Constant Contact, MailChimp, ISSUU, CRM systems, and QR code generation, as well as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications. This diverse skill set allows me to efficiently execute projects from concept through distribution across multiple channels.
I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my creativity, attention to detail, and proven ability to manage high-volume workloads to your team. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience can support your organization’s goals.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Graphic Design Team Lead at Michels Communications Corporation
August 1, 2022 - Present
Lead design for Siouxland Woman Magazine (76-100 pages, 80-100 ads/articles per month). Create ad concepts from scratch, align with existing branding, manage sales team with weekly ad copy updates, update CRM, create flat plan, lay out in InDesign, submit proofs to editorial, coordinate pages with printer, promote files on social media, design eblast campaigns, update digital ISSUU copy, design promotional items (media kits, swag, business cards, billboards, holiday cards), and logo design. Maintain strict monthly deadlines. Also design Siouxland Real Estate Guide (40-48 pages, 60-80 ads per issue) with real estate listing research, CRM status tracking, flat plan creation, InDesign layout, editorial proofs, printer coordination, social media promotion, eblasts, and promotional items.
Graphic Designer at Michels Communications Corporation
August 1, 2022 - Present
Coordinate and execute Siouxland Real Estate Guide design for Sioux City market (40-48 pages, 60-80 ads per issue); research realtor listings, update ads, maintain CRM status, create flat plan, lay out in InDesign, submit PDFs for editorial proofing, coordinate pages with printer, promote on social media, design promotional items, and manage weekly deadlines.
Freelance Graphic Designer at Michels Communications Corporation (Freelance Clients)
November 1, 2008 - Present
Design and edit postcard artwork for clients including Postcard Wizards; Hail Damage Marketing; RSVP Nebraska; RSVP Fort Collins; RSVP Chicago; Lovin’ Lemont Livin’ Magazine; RSVP Lincoln; RSVP Des Moines; RSVP Sioux Falls. Create business cards, promotional postcards, coordinate artwork with press, develop digital assets, promotional fliers, eBlasts, postcards, media guides, letterheads, envelopes, and ads; create QR codes and Constant Contact emails.
Freelance Graphic Designer at Michels Communications Corporation (Freelance Clients)
June 1, 2013 - Present
Design and edit postcard artwork for additional clients, maintain client relations from concept through approval, coordinate with press, create digital assets, and manage promotional materials and email communications.
Freelance Graphic Designer at Self-Employed
November 1, 2008 - Present
Design and edit postcard artwork for multiple clients; create business cards and promotional postcards; coordinate artwork with press; develop digital assets; create promotional fliers, eBlasts, media guides, ads, letterhead, envelopes, and QR codes; produce Constant Contact emails; maintain client relationships and project deliverables for long-running campaigns. Notable clients include Postcard Wizards, Hail Damage Marketing, RSVP Nebraska, RSVP Fort Collins, RSVP Chicago, RSVP Lincoln, RSVP Des Moines, RSVP Sioux Falls, Lovin’ Lemont Livin’ Magazine, and multiple RSVP locations with recurring mailings and campaigns.

Education

Associates Degree in Graphic Communications at Southeast Technical Institute
August 1, 2003 - May 1, 2005
Diploma at Mitchell Senior High School
September 1, 1999 - May 1, 2003
Associates Degree in Graphic Communications at Southeast Technical Institute
August 1, 2003 - May 1, 2005
Diploma at Mitchell Senior High School
September 1, 1999 - May 1, 2003

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Retail, Other, Real Estate & Construction