TED Community » Melissa O'Connor

About Me

M E L I S S A O’ C O N N O R


3534 Caminito El Rincon, San Diego 92130 • 714.415.9925 • Melissa.OConnor3@gmail.com


QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong knowledge of creative design process and requirements
• Organized with great attention to detail
• Creative thinker with eye for quality and consistency in the areas of photography and illustration
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and tasks of varying complexities, meet deadlines within a fast-paced environment and work well under pressure
• Understanding and experience in corporate branding, layout, color theory and typography while adhering to corporate identity standards
• In-depth knowledge of pre-press and four-color printing processes

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Senior Resource Group (February 2010-Present)
• Responsible for the visual and conceptual creation of advertisements, brochures, flyers, direct mail, special event invitations, postcards, PowerPoint presentations, maps, embedded emails, stationary, and acquisition proposals
• Produced high quality marketing materials for over 38 senior living communities, with a limited budget, in a fast-paced environment with short deadlines
• Responsible for copy development, proofreading and editing
• Conceptualization of event themes and design of print media to attract prospects, which turn into leads and become occupants
• Managed graphic files including templates, floor plans, logos, stock photos and job files for print, web and promotional materials
• Edited and retouched lifestyle photography and photos of residential properties
• Developed, edited and pre-flighted for production over 5 advertisements weekly
• Aided in development of website content: familiar with SEO strategies and experience with email marketing through Constant Contact
• Followed media plans, schedules and budgets and paid marketing invoices for over 38 residential properties


Program Director/Art Director, Giving Children Hope (February 2008-September 2009)
• Managed operations, employees and marketing for program that serves over 160 agencies in Orange County
• Designed marketing collateral such as annual reports, direct mail pieces, program brochures, trade show booth panels, event themes and logos
• Photographed multiple events, Board portraits and staff portraits for local publications and websites
• Art/Event Director “My Hands Have a Voice” art show; Planned, directed and executed event and silent auction with 80 artists, 60 volunteers and over 500 in attendance; raised $7,000 to help victims of human trafficking; educated elementary to college level students about how to use art as a platform for social justice
• Recruited, scheduled and managed over 1500 volunteers in a 15-month period
• Coordinated and managed monthly countywide service events with 50-80 volunteers in attendance each event
• Responsible for interviewing interns and volunteers and matching their skills with needs of organization

Portrait Photographer, On-Site Sales Consultant, Lifetouch Photography (April 2005-February 2008)
• Photographed exciting and compelling portraiture of families and individuals of all age groups
• Sold portraiture on-site, maintaining high levels of customer service to a wide range of clientele
• Trained new-hire photographers successfully which resulted in a 25% increase of new hire sales
• Ranked 2nd nationally for highest sales average within the company
• Four-time winner of the Lifetouch Compelling Portrait Contest


FREELANCE / DESIGN CLIENTS

Independent Wedding, Event, and Portrait Photographer
• Photographed over a dozen weddings in Southern California which required executing a successful business plan to ensure that customers are satisfied with their product and services
Product Photographer, Vybe Footwear, Garden Grove, CA
The San Diego Museum of Man
• Designed rack brochure
The Coffee Refinery, Irvine, CA
• Designed logo, business cards, letterhead, invoices, and original artwork for marketing


EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Graphic Design (Minor Public Relations) 3.2 GPA (August 2000-May 2004)
Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK
• Art Talent Award (2001 - 2004)
• Athletic Scholarship (2001 - 2004)

VOLUNTEER SERVICE

• TEDxAmerica'sFinestCityWomen, Served as graphic designer responsible for the production and printing of all event-related media, San Diego, CA (2012)
• Humanitarian Trip, Built a school and photographed students, World Servants, Fosse Capois, Haiti (2007)
• Humanitarian Trip, Built houses for the homeless, Rock Harbor Church, Ensenada, Mexico (2006-2007)
• Volunteer, Day Center for the Homeless, Tulsa, OK (2003-2004)
• Campus Representative, Relevant Magazine, Tulsa, OK (2003-2004)