EXPERIENCE

LAURA BLUME FINE ART   |   DESIGNER, ARTIST
Greenville, SC (November 2014–present)
Manage and execute freelance projects for private and corporate clients, including branding, advertising, graphic design, website design, document editing, presentations, and event support. Create original fine-art paintings for local collectors.

CRAWFORD STRATEGY   |   CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Greenville, SC (August 2010–October 2014)
Managed team of graphic and web designers for full-service marketing and public relations firm. Directed creative projects for healthcare, finance, education, and manufacturing clients. Built department as company grew. Collaborated with account executives to exceed client expectations. Managed production schedules, client budgets, and project timelines. Developed traffic guidelines. Edited copy for publications, advertisements, press releases, and internal communications. Determined branding guidelines and executed throughout client work. Presented concepts and managed discussions in client meetings. 

SKIRT! MAGAZINE   |   EDITOR, GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Greenville, SC (January 2008–May 2009)
Interviewed subjects for Greenville edition and composed profiles. Wrote original content for 14+ pages each month. Proofread national essays. Directed photo shoots. Designed 15-20 ads each month. Served as ambassador at fund-raising and community events. Made monthly TV appearances on Your Carolina. Managed production schedule. Managed e-mail, written, and phone communications. Designed layout for 36-64 pages each issue, collaborating with ad sales team. Created printer files and approved proofs.

GREERNOW MAGAZINE   |   EDITOR, GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Greer, SC (April 2006–September 2007)
Produced monthly local-interest lifestyle magazine. Designed concept, edited stories, directed photo shoots, and designed layout. Managed editorial calendar, working closely with publisher, contributors, and photographer. Designed ads. Prepared files for printing and approved proofs. Promoted business at community events. Designed corporate ad campaigns and marketing materials for external clients.

FABRIC EDITIONS   |   CREATIVE DEPARTMENT MANAGER
Greenville, SC (March 2004–January 2006)
Directed graphics team in design of packaging for private-label fabric and quilt-kit company. Created illustrations and diagrams. Managed schedules and analyzed costs. Directed in-house photography and external shoots. Secured bids for printing and maintained positive relationships with print vendors.

FABIAN’S   |   CO-OWNER
Winston-Salem, NC (September 1997–July 2003)
Directed marketing for acclaimed table d’hôte restaurant with Fabian Botta, an award-winning chef/owner and James Beard House guest chef. Developed ads, promotional materials, wine lists, and menus. Managed daily accounting, customer communications, reservations, and special event catering. 

WACHOVIA CORPORATION   |   INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Winston-Salem, NC (June 1994–August 1997)
Wrote original copy, designed layout, and coordinated production for corporate newsletters, handbooks, and manuals. Interfaced with General Counsel and CEO for approvals. Assisted with video for new HQ. 

EDUCATION

MASTER OF ARTS, PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION   |   Clemson University, Clemson, SC
BACHELOR OF ARTS, ENGLISH (PHILOSOPHY MINOR)   |   Converse College, Spartanburg, SC
 

PROFICIENCY

Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, PhotoShop, Acrobat), Microsoft (Word, Excel)

COMMUNITY AND AWARDS

• MarCom Awards, Platinum/Gold (via Crawford Strategy)
• The Warehouse Theatre, Active Board Member and former Marketing Committee Chair
• Carolina Youth Symphony, Former Board Member
• Guild of the Greenville Symphony, Volunteer, Most Valuable New Member 2010
• Girl Scouts of South Carolina, Featured Speaker, Powerful Women Summit 2009/2010
• skirt! Magazine, Best Editorial and Photograph

NOTABLE CLIENTS

• Carolina Music Museum
• Carolina Youth Symphony
• Christ Church Episcopal School
• City of Greenville/Ice on Main
• EMRYS
• Godshall Professional Services
• Greenville Health System
• Greenville Symphony Orchestra
• Greenville Technical College
• Mission Health/Mission Hospital
• Ronald McDonald House
• Upstate Forever
• Urban League of the Upstate
• Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
• The Warehouse Theatre