I am an illustrator and graphic designer with a focus on emotionally resonant, story-driven visuals. I collaborate with publishers, nonprofits, corporations, creative studios, and mission-driven organizations to create thoughtful, intentional design and illustration that connect on a human level. My work blends analog and digital techniques—pencil, ink, paper, texture, and pixels—to create illustrations, brand assets, and visual storytelling that feel grounded and honest. With over a decade of in-house experience, I bring both creative depth and strategic clarity to every project. After a recent organizational restructuring leading to the outsourcing of the Creative/Marketing Teams of which I was a part, I’ve shifted my focus full-time to freelance and contract creative work. ✨ Services include: – Editorial & narrative illustration – Brand and identity design – Social and web graphics – Zines, booklets & campaign materials – Creative concept development & art direction I’m currently available for freelance and contract projects, both short- and long-term.

Leslie Hanlon

I am an illustrator and graphic designer with a focus on emotionally resonant, story-driven visuals. I collaborate with publishers, nonprofits, corporations, creative studios, and mission-driven organizations to create thoughtful, intentional design and illustration that connect on a human level. My work blends analog and digital techniques—pencil, ink, paper, texture, and pixels—to create illustrations, brand assets, and visual storytelling that feel grounded and honest. With over a decade of in-house experience, I bring both creative depth and strategic clarity to every project. After a recent organizational restructuring leading to the outsourcing of the Creative/Marketing Teams of which I was a part, I’ve shifted my focus full-time to freelance and contract creative work. ✨ Services include: – Editorial & narrative illustration – Brand and identity design – Social and web graphics – Zines, booklets & campaign materials – Creative concept development & art direction I’m currently available for freelance and contract projects, both short- and long-term.

Available to hire

I am an illustrator and graphic designer with a focus on emotionally resonant, story-driven visuals. I collaborate with publishers, nonprofits, corporations, creative studios, and mission-driven organizations to create thoughtful, intentional design and illustration that connect on a human level.

My work blends analog and digital techniques—pencil, ink, paper, texture, and pixels—to create illustrations, brand assets, and visual storytelling that feel grounded and honest. With over a decade of in-house experience, I bring both creative depth and strategic clarity to every project.

After a recent organizational restructuring leading to the outsourcing of the Creative/Marketing Teams of which I was a part, I’ve shifted my focus full-time to freelance and contract creative work.

✨ Services include:
– Editorial & narrative illustration
– Brand and identity design
– Social and web graphics
– Zines, booklets & campaign materials
– Creative concept development & art direction

I’m currently available for freelance and contract projects, both short- and long-term.

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Language

Work Experience

Graphic Designer at Yoh, A Day & Zimmermann Company
October 17, 2022 - July 2, 2025
Developed multi-channel visual content for Yoh and DZConneX to strengthen brand visibility and support marketing, sales, and employer branding initiatives across digital and print platforms. Included branded and animated content like social cards, CTAs, storyboarding and animation, audiograms, carousels, and podcast graphics. Created marketing collateral such as eBooks, case studies, datasheets, and infographics, logos, icons, QR codes, and PowerPoint templates to support sales enablement and internal communications. Managed large-format event and booth graphics for regional and national conferences, ensuring visual consistency and brand alignment across all deliverables.
Freelance Graphic Illustrator at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market
March 15, 2021 - June 27, 2024
Designed and executed branded visual content for monthly promotions, both in-store and online. Maintained consistent brand identity across digital and print platforms to enhance customer engagement and support sales initiatives. • Designed in-store cafe posters, website headers, call-to-action (CTA) buttons, email graphics, and social media assets • Developed a branded marketing toolkit for internal team use, supporting Thanksgiving promotions • Applied typography, layout design, and color theory to enhance visual impact and readability • Produced print-ready and web-optimized assets • Ensured alignment with cross-platform requirements
Senior Designer | Production Artist at Unique Industries, Inc.
April 8, 2004 - October 8, 2022
Collaborated on the design and production of licensed and non-licensed party supplies for major retailers in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. Supported cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, print-ready visuals across packaging, advertising, and product development. Production Team (2018–2022) • Assisted in CMYK & Pantone Matching color correction artwork for print accuracy and maximum color vibrancy across various substrates • Prepared print production files for paper, foil stamping setup, and clear plastic printing, including foil hot stamping setup • Created and modified dielines for factory use and new product presentations • Reviewed eProofs and physical samples to ensure design intent and production specifications were met • Supported cross-functional collaboration with mockup, packaging, and advertising teams for brand compliance Design Team (2004–2018) • Designed and illustrated original artwork for seasonal and everyday party supply lines • Applied licensed character art and branding to digital and print product formats in accordance with licensor style guides • Followed detailed licensor style guides to ensure brand consistency and compliance • Selected typefaces and applied advanced typography to enhance packaging clarity and appeal • Contributed to product adaptation across diverse formats, printing methods, and materials
Art Department Administrator I Illustrator at Zagara's Specialty and Natural Foods
January 3, 2000 - September 11, 2001
Broadcast Designer at CNBC • PBS NewsHour, New York • CBS, Denver, CO, Philadelphia, PA
March 8, 1989 - December 30, 1999

Education

BFA Graphic Design at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
January 1, 2004 - July 23, 2025
Architectural Design Certificate of Study at University of Copenhagen, Denmark
June 4, 1987 - August 28, 1987
Summer semester abroad

Qualifications

D & Z Betterment Award
December 28, 2023 - December 28, 2023
Associated with Yoh, A Day & Zimmermann Company "Leslie Hanlon, Graphic Designer, Marketing, received a Betterment Buck for her incredible work in animation this year–including the Yoh Strategic Accounts Video Launch and animated social cards–and adding it to our go-to market strategy."

Industry Experience

Consumer Goods, Retail, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services
    uniE621 Promotional Campaign- Basil Bandwagon Natural Market
    Illustrated and designed Pina Colada in-store posters, website and social media graphics. graphicdesigner illustrator designer logo https://www.twine.net/signin
    uniE621 Promotional Campaign- Basil Bandwagon Natural Market
    Illustrated and designed Harvest Moon Juice in-store posters, website and social media graphics. graphicdesigner branding illustrator designer logo https://www.twine.net/signin
    uniE621 Hand-lettered Watercolor Illustration
    Birthday gift created with hand-lettered typography and watercolor dyes. Overall style inspired by vintage greeting cards. illustrator
    uniE621 Party Favor Sticker Concepts - Unique Industries, Inc.
    Illustrated artwork for children’s animal-themed concepts. illustrator https://www.twine.net/signin
    uniE621 Watercolor illustration - Gary The Greyhound
    Illustrated Gary as an Art Therapy character to assist with anxiety in a humorous, supportive, sweet, and transformational way. illustrator
    uniE621 1st Birthday Honeycomb Centerpieces - Unique Industries, Inc.
    Designed and illustrated complete 1st birthday party ensemble in gender-neutral, boy, and girl colorways. graphicdesigner illustrator designer
    uniE621 Watercolor illustration - Alice The Moth
    Character development for a fictional story. illustrator https://www.twine.net/signin
    uniE621 Promotional Campaign- Basil Bandwagon Natural Market
    Illustrated and designed Sweet&Spicy Rainbow Wrap in-store posters, website and social media graphics. graphicdesigner branding illustrator designer logo https://www.twine.net/signin
    uniE621 Hand-lettered Watercolor Illustration
    Framed illustration created with hand-lettered typography and watercolor dyes. Overall style inspired by vintage greeting cards. illustrator
    uniE621 Promotional Campaign- Basil Bandwagon Natural Market
    Illustrated and designed Beauty And The Beet in-store posters, website and social media graphics. graphicdesigner branding illustrator designer logo https://www.twine.net/signin
    uniE621 Watercolor illustration - Adamant spirit
    Art Therapy illustration to promote self-advocacy and confidence in a colorful, imaginative, and transformational way. illustrator
    uniE621 Party Favor Maze Game- Unique Industries, Inc.
    Illustrated game for assorted party favors. graphicdesigner illustrator designer https://www.twine.net/signin