Natalie Bender Email and Phone Number

In my first year at Buckle as a junior graphic designer, I gained valuable experience refining my skills in the Adobe Suite, particularly in Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. While most of my projects were print design, I learned how to prepare files correctly to be more efficient with my time, and gained hands-on experience with PPI to DPI conversions. I also learned more about margins, gutters, and printing with bleed and crop marks, which were concepts I had touched on in school but became refined in a professional setting.During the pandemic, I honed my communication skills by working with team members through Zoom chats, emails, texting, and small in-person meetings as the only designer on staff. I became valued for my ability to efficiently finish tasks with fast turnarounds and worked closely with the manager of design to focus heavily on digital design and drive traffic to theBuckle website.After the pandemic, I was promoted to Seasonal Campaign Graphic Designer, where my primary responsibility is bringing seasonal campaigns to life in collaboration with the marketing director and creative art director. I pitch ideas, create mock-up designs, and work through edits based on their feedback. I also present the design deck to my team, providing clean and simple template design files to ensure a uniform look across all designers' projects. Finally, I review all assets and provide feedback to ensure successful and cohesive execution of the campaign. I am committed to expanding my skills as a designer and team player while remaining open to feedback and collaboration to achieve the best possible outcomes.

During my time as a barista at Scooters Coffee Company, I gained valuable experience crafting lattes and brewing their signature coffee, as well as working the register and greeting customers. Developing meaningful relationships with regulars and providing them with an enjoyable coffee experience was the most rewarding aspect of my role. I have always been excited to connect with new people and look forward to building more meaningful relationships in future endeavors.

I took on the task of creating MHDI's annual report in a web-based format. Due to their budget, I created this mini website with Wix.com's free version. I also used Illustrator to lay out a wire-frame to present in the preliminary stages of design. I created a unique theme and identity for the new year. As an organization committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all Nebraskan residents, it was an honor to work on such an important project. Throughout the design process, I collaborated closely with the head coordinator to ensure that the final product met the organization's needs. It was important to strike a balance between æsthetics and functionality. Incorporating their feedback, I was able to deliver a final product that both MHDI and I were proud of. The annual report effectively showcased the organization's accomplishments while also inspiring others to get involved in improving the health and wellbeing of their communities.

At Transformation, I had the privilege of working as a graphic designer with a focus on client projects. During my time there, I created a wide variety of promotional materials, including branded flyers, truck wraps, and website advertisements for various companies. One of the most exciting experiences I had was being given the opportunity to create a logo design and brand identity for a new client. This allowed me to exercise my creativity and strategic thinking skills, as I needed to develop a design that aligned with the client's vision and effectively communicated their brand values. Through this process, I gained valuable experience in client communication and delivering high-quality work within deadlines and budget constraints.