ABOUT ME
EMILY JACKSON
With a keen passion for project management and a deep appreciation for design, I bring well-rounded perspectives and an eagerness to learn to each project I influence.
While I made my first official mark on the design world a mere 6 1/2 years ago, I was dipping my toes in the elusive world of yearbook editing and design by my freshman year of high school. At graduation I traded up for some formal training at Dakota State University, where I earned a degree in Digital Arts and Design. Ever since, I’ve matured my skillset by focusing on my affinity for details, love of seeing something through start to finish, and the joy of collaborating with clients and co-workers. I have validated these skillsets by becoming CompTIA Project+ Certified.
Currently, I support local businesses and organizations with their marketing needs, hone my photography skills, and travel in my spare time.
I would love to have a conversation about how I can leverage my well-rounded skill set and can-do attitude to uphold your team.
emily@backroadsdesigns.com
605-661-7563
STAYING THE COURSE
EDUCATION
Dakota State University
BS Digital Arts and Design
–
Specialization: Computer Graphics
Minors: Digital Photography, Center of Excellence
CompTIA Project+ Certified
ACT WorkKeys NCRC – Platinum Level
Yankton High School
Summa Cum Laude
WAYPOINTS & ELEVATION
CHARACTER TRAITS
I pride myself on my ability to communicate, coordinate, and collaborate. They are the cornerstones of both my professional and personal reputation.
- Articulate
- Enthusiastic
- Well-organized
- Honest
- Dependable
- Passionate
- Hard-working
- Creative
- Collaborator
- Versatile
- Thorough
- Tactful
- Efficient
- Curious
Motivated to excel beyond expectations
FOLLOW THE SIGNS
EXPERIENCE
Backroads Designs
Owner / Designer
May 2012 – Present
- Project Management – Plan, manage resources, budget, timeline, expectations.
- Photography: Portrait, Property, Wedding, Event – Conduct creative and efficient photography sessions with appropriate lighting and conditions. Deliver fully edited image set. (Conducted photography service project in 2011.)
- Website Design – Gather client requirements and launch template-based websites with personalized content.
- Print Design – Develop and implement ideas from concept to completion for small print run projects.
- Identity Design – Establish brand vision and develop into logomark that clearly and accurately represents the company.
VistaComm
Designer / Project Manager
Jan 2013 – Apr 2019
(remote 3+ years)
Sioux Falls, SD
- Responsive Web Design – Interpret client needs into wireframes and mock-ups. Communicate with developers to bring ideas to fruition.
- Project Management – Manage web projects from planning session to launch. This includes documenting project requirements, setting timelines, coordinating staff resources, and communicating with clients regularly.
- Print Design – Develop new look-and-feels for newsletter mastheads, print ads, annual reports, and brochures. Place copy and content within established newsletter and magazine designs and standards.
- Website Content Population – Match imagery with copy to fit the themes and goals of the website. This includes text formatting and image optimization.
- Email Marketing – Design and implement email templates. Layout photos, images, and links into email newsletter format for regular distribution.
- Client Service – Communicate with clients to maintain a positive ongoing relationship and projects to meet their needs.
- Digital Marketing – Create both animated HTML ads and static imagery alongside ad copy.
National Field Archery Association Foundation
Designer / Office Assistant
May 2012 – Dec 2012
Yankton, SD
- New / Redesign Websites – Establish there was a need for a new website. Gain proper approvals to move forward with designing new site. Hired developer to implement project and integrate new organizational systems. First fully-managed website project.
- Event Photography – Photographed annual events under a variety of circumstances.
- Implement Organizational Systems – Upgraded pen-and-paper system into online class management, payment, and registration system and rolled out to facility and user-base.
- Customer Relations – Answer phones and greet in-house visitors.
South Dakota Magazine
Graphic Design Intern
May 2011 – Aug 2011
Yankton, SD
- Print Design – Design magazine spreads, ads, and new media packet.
- Digital Projects – Assist with new website and social media planning.
- Archiving – Scan, file, and convert previous print magazines into digital archive for use on new website.
POINTS OF INTEREST
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Xd
HTML/CSS
G Suite
Slack
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Bridge
WordPress
Zoom
OSX
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Office
Asana
ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS
PORTFOLIO
