Colleen Elliott
Graphic & Product Designer
Clawson, MI, USAI believe making makes us better. I’m a passionate and innovative graphic designer and product designer with 7 years of hands-on experience taking products from concept to market in the kid’s creative activities/toy industry.
In a previous life I was an office manager, but it didn’t fulfill my creative desires. However, the leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills I learned while managing and motivating my team of 5 direct reports and 20+ construction crews set me up for future success in the creative world.
When I’m not working, I’m enjoying my hobbies, dreaming of travel, or spending time with my dogs.
In a previous life I was an office manager, but it didn’t fulfill my creative desires. However, the leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills I learned while managing and motivating my team of 5 direct reports and 20+ construction crews set me up for future success in the creative world.
When I’m not working, I’m enjoying my hobbies, dreaming of travel, or spending time with my dogs.
Work Experience
PlayMonster
Lead Designer
Ann Williams Group was acquired by PlayMonster in June 2021.
•Identify trends, brainstorm ideas, & generate concepts for new product development
•Prioritize and juggle multiple projects for on-time delivery
•Provide art direction for design team of 2 product designers and 1 illustrator
•Packaging design from start to finish, which includes implementing a checklist to ensure art files are complete and problem-free before they are sent to the manufacturing factory
•Style and art direct photo shoots, retouch photos
•Identify trends, brainstorm ideas, & generate concepts for new product development
•Prioritize and juggle multiple projects for on-time delivery
•Provide art direction for design team of 2 product designers and 1 illustrator
•Packaging design from start to finish, which includes implementing a checklist to ensure art files are complete and problem-free before they are sent to the manufacturing factory
•Style and art direct photo shoots, retouch photos
June 2021
- Present
Beloit, Wisconsin, United States
Ann Williams Group
Lead Designer
•Managed & motivated a team of 2 product designers, 1 illustrator, 1 graphic designer, and up to 4 freelance artists
•Identified trends, brainstormed ideas, & generated concepts for new product development
•Prioritized and juggled multiple projects for on-time delivery
•Packaging design from start to finish, which included implementing a checklist to ensure art files are complete and problem-free before they are sent to the manufacturing factory
•Style and art directed photo shoots, retouched photos
•Designed & updated Shopify site, Amazon store, Amazon images, and A-plus pages
•Provided original & creative copy for marketing & packaging
•Designed & executed impactful e-blasts using Mailchimp
•Maintained relationships with outside vendors & factories in China
•Project management: from ideation to completion, I was involved in every step
•Designed & executed trade show booths & displays
•Identified trends, brainstormed ideas, & generated concepts for new product development
•Prioritized and juggled multiple projects for on-time delivery
•Packaging design from start to finish, which included implementing a checklist to ensure art files are complete and problem-free before they are sent to the manufacturing factory
•Style and art directed photo shoots, retouched photos
•Designed & updated Shopify site, Amazon store, Amazon images, and A-plus pages
•Provided original & creative copy for marketing & packaging
•Designed & executed impactful e-blasts using Mailchimp
•Maintained relationships with outside vendors & factories in China
•Project management: from ideation to completion, I was involved in every step
•Designed & executed trade show booths & displays
July 2016
- June 2021
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, United States
Ann Williams Group
Production Artist
•Juggled tight deadlines & changing priorities with enthusiasm and a positive attitude
•Produced printer-ready files for packages, instructions, catalogs, and POP displays
•Database management: created organizational system & file naming conventions
•Produced printer-ready files for packages, instructions, catalogs, and POP displays
•Database management: created organizational system & file naming conventions
January 2015
- July 2016
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, United States
Mainstreet Ventures
Graphic Designer
•Worked with director of marketing and public relations to deliver inspired, forward thinking designs for 16 different restaurant concepts
•Created themed campaigns while maintaining a clear and consistent style guide and building an asset library
•Designs include printed flyers, posters, table tents, banners, magazine and newspaper ads, web banners, online advertising, and menus for tablets
•Created themed campaigns while maintaining a clear and consistent style guide and building an asset library
•Designs include printed flyers, posters, table tents, banners, magazine and newspaper ads, web banners, online advertising, and menus for tablets
April 2012
- January 2014
Michigan, United States
Ason's Construction
Office Manager
•Led team of 10 CSR’s,10 construction crews, and 40+ subcontractors
•Assisted operations manager
•Scheduled, prepared, and ran training sessions for contractors and new employees
•Developed database handbook to assist in training new employees
•Managed database and tracked work orders for property preservation company
•Interfaced with local realtors and national property preservation companies
•Assisted operations manager
•Scheduled, prepared, and ran training sessions for contractors and new employees
•Developed database handbook to assist in training new employees
•Managed database and tracked work orders for property preservation company
•Interfaced with local realtors and national property preservation companies
February 2008
- October 2010
Michigan, United States
ASD America
Office Manager
•Led team of 22 employees, directing schedules and daily tasks
•Assisted regional manager of nationwide company with daily operations and projects
•Instrumental in research and startup of new office in CO
•Developed handbook and trained employees and contractors to use web-based program
•Assisted regional manager of nationwide company with daily operations and projects
•Instrumental in research and startup of new office in CO
•Developed handbook and trained employees and contractors to use web-based program
May 2004
- August 2007
Michigan, United States
Peggendott Design Studio
Alterations Specialist
•Performed alterations on men’s and women’s clothing, including wedding dresses and special occasion attire
•Managed social media
•Managed social media
April 2008
- August 2012
Michigan, United States
Bauble Patch Jewelers
Bench Jeweler
•Assisted customers with purchases & repair quotes
•Repaired, polished, and cleaned jewelry
•Repaired, polished, and cleaned jewelry
2003
- 2004
Michigan, United States
WayBetter
Dietbet Referee
•Responded to questions and complaints and troubleshot technical issues
April 2014
- June 2015
United States
Education
Grand Valley State University
Bachelor of Arts, Emphasis in Metalsmithing
Member of Honor's College
GPA 3.509
GPA 3.509
August 2000
- December 2007
Allendale, Michigan, United States
Eastern Michigan University
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
Summa Cum Laude
September 2011
- December 2013
Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States
Skills
Adobe Creative Suite,
Attention To Detail,
Crafting/Making,
Creativity,
Time Management,
Hobbies & Interests
quilting, roller skating, cooking & baking, customizing Blythe dolls, 3D printing, sewing, gardening, camping, dog training, machine knitting, crochet, making miniatures, needle felting, diamond painting, reading, travel