The path to becoming a graphic designer aND CREATIVE SERVICES PROFESSIONAL

Originally from a small maritime community in Nova Scotia, Canada, I moved in 2003 to pursue my passion for graphic design. I began my studies at the Pacific Design Academy on beautiful Vancouver Island, British Columbia, where I honed my skills as a graphic artist and photo editor.

In 2006, I began my career as a Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, where I designed marketing collateral, hosted sales clients, and coordinated marketing events for three regional mountain properties. This experience instilled in me the ability to develop, apply, and maintain the standards of an elite, globally recognized brand across 80 hotels in 30 countries. By contributing to Fairmont’s prestigious brand, I built a strong foundation in graphic design while enhancing my ability to provide exceptional customer service.

In 2008, I returned to the west coast, where at Epicure, I mastered Adobe Creative Suite, designing, managing, and maintaining various print, web, and intranet assets. I oversaw and directed photo shoots for print publications and served as Head of Photo Editing and Effects for product and portrait photography. I managed the print, digital, and photo production workflows for junior graphic designers, ensuring high-quality outputs and adherence to deadlines. Through continuous professional development, I enhanced my creative skills, improved production efficiency, and effectively managed timelines across diverse project portfolios.

In 2015, I took on the role of Graphic Designer at the Royal BC Museum. During this period, I refined my expertise in various post-production techniques and developed successful international marketing campaigns, contributing to record-breaking box office results. I managed project intake and workflow for multiple users, overseeing production and ensuring high-quality design deliverables from inception to completion. My responsibilities included executing complex, multi-stakeholder creative projects in partnership with clients and cross-functional teams, and providing strategic creative and communication guidance to stakeholders, and senior leaders.

Since 2020, I've been with Government Communication and Public Engagement for British Columbia, ensuring the integrity of the BCID brand to build public trust. In this role, I manage complex, multi-stakeholder creative projects in collaboration with clients and cross-functional teams, designing everything from initial concept to final deliverables. I provide creative and communication advice to clients, stakeholders, and senior leaders, while overseeing project intake, workflow, and production management to ensure timely, high-quality results.