Resume

Deanne Leigh Brown

Executive summary

With over 20 years of experience as a senior graphic designer and entrepreneur, I specialise in creating effective creative branding solutions for small and large businesses. I have a passion for visual communication and a proven track record in developing cohesive brand identities, designing marketing collateral, and crafting engaging digital experiences. I am now focused on expanding my expertise into large business rebrands, leveraging my entrepreneurial mindset to guide organisations through the complex process of refreshing their brand presence. My goal is to create visually appealing, cohesive, and memorable brand experiences that resonate with customers and support business growth.

Work experience

  • SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
    Mackay | 2020 - 2023

    Employed by Black Owl Design as a casual Senior Graphic Designer. In this role, I have been instrumental in delivering outstanding design solutions across various mediums. From website design to social media graphics, brand strategies, product design, annual reports, billboards, and magazines, I have had the pleasure of working on a wide range of exciting projects. My contributions have helped enhance the company's reputation and solidify its position in the industry.

    RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Successfully completed a wide range of projects, including website design, social media graphics, extensive brand strategies, product design, annual reports, billboards, magazines, and more.

    • Collaborated closely with clients to understand their goals, brand identity, and target audience, ackay, 2020 - 2023translating their vision into visually stunning designs that exceeded their expectations.

    • Played a key role in developing comprehensive brand strategies, ensuring consistency across all touchpoints and enhancing brand recognition.

    • Actively participated in brainstorming sessions and provided creative input to generate innovative ideas and concepts for various design projects.

    • Demonstrated strong attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in typography, color usage, layout, and overall design execution.

    • Effectively managed multiple projects simultaneously, adhering to deadlines and delivering high-quality work within budget constraints.

    • Utilised industry-leading design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), SquareSpace, Square, Canva

    • Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including copywriters, marketers, and developers, to ensure seamless integration of design elements into final deliverables.

    • Stayed up-to-date with the latest design trends and techniques, incorporating them into my work to deliver contemporary and innovative designs.

    - Received positive feedback from clients on the quality of work, creativity, and ability to bring their vision to life through design.

  • UNIVERSITY TUTOR
    CQU University / Mackay / 2017 – Current

    As a tutor in Digital Media at CQU, I contribute and support the teaching staff and students of the school through the delivery of information supplied and personal experience.

    COURSES
    Print Design
    Visual Communication
    Visual Design
    Digital Publishing
    Digital Communications Management

    RESPONSIBILITIES
    • Study & understand the curriculum

    • Communicate directly with the head lecturer & course coordinator

    • Conduct & deliver tutorials & practical classes

    • Provide guidance & constructive criticism to students

    • Mark student assessment tasks

  • FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGNER
    Mackay / 2000 - 2017

    Deezyn has been my design ‘alter ego’ since leaving University in 2000. I have designed and worked on many projects over the years some of my clients include: Brisbane International Film Festival, Global Conference Organisers (Netherlands), Cabrini Children’s Society (UK), Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (UK), Telehealth, Queensland Health, PHN Darling Downs & West Morton. Locally, North Jacklin Motors, Out of the Blue Marketing, Tropical Exposure, Bowen Basin Mining Club, Friers Offshore Racing, Rolleston Coal, Xstrata Coal, Gardian, Minds Aligned

    RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Create proposals and contracts for different design projects

    • Developed business collateral including logos, stationery, brochures, posters, advertisements, and websites

    • Developed and implemented designs to existing and new product packaging

    • Assist in the production of magazines and annual reports and dealing with ad sponsors, layout and design, proofing and coordination of print

    • Collaborate with clients to create vision, conceive designs, and consistently meet deadlines and requirements

    • Photographing clients for the purpose of headshots, holiday cards etc

    • Retouching, and restore images based on the needs of the client

    • Schedule meetings with clients to discuss project progress and review samples

    • Managing and completing several projects simultaneously

    • Consistently meet clients needs and deadlines

    • Sourcing, compositing, and retouching images for print and web

    • Prepared and sent final artwork to printers/manufacturers

    • Administrative experience in owning and running a small business

  • RETAIL BUSINESS OWNER
    Mackay / 2017 - 2023

    Fleabags & Co. is a small retail store located in Marian & Mackay City Heart, it facilitated small business and local artisans an opportunity to showcase and sell their goods in a retail environment without the overheads of doing it on your own.

    I coordinated up to 85 vendors, with not only our brick and mortar store but also popup shop locations & market opportunities throughout the district and online via our website.

    RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Foster small business relationships

    • Coordinate social media and online presence

    • Create advertising collateral

    • Provide guidance for participating vendors

    • Administrative duties associated with running a retail environment

    • Organise popup locations & shopfitting displays

    • Communicating extensively with vendors, agents & market coordinators

    • Manage & facilitating website articles, products & enquiries

  • DIRECTOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER
    Mackay / 2007 - 2009

    Teamed up with a fellow local freelance graphic designer to create a design studio with a major focus on providing affordable website solutions to local small businesses.

    Our clients included: Payne Print, Mountain Edge Retreat, MBB Queensland, Minds Aligned, Pioneer Lakes, Tackle World Mackay, Mt Pleasant Meats, Kerry Sea Designs, Jazz Party Hire, Trade Corp International.

    RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Developing and implementing all aspects of web design, print design and advertising & media promotions for clients

    • Administrative and management skills associated with running a small business

    • All other roles associated with running and owning a graphic design business

  • GRAPHIC DESIGNER/MARKETING ASSISTANT
    London UK / 2003 - 2005

    RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Head of design team for a huge trade association, exhibition & awards night

    • Developed and implemented designs of posters, brochures, logos, adverts, direct mail pamphlets, invitations, newsletters, POS material, exhibition display and stands, screen and web ready images

    • Working within tight deadlines and strict budgets, devising means of cutting costs, working one-on-one with printers, collating quotes, negotiating price reductions and overseeing proofs and production of material

BA. COMMUNICATION DESIGN
James Cook University
Townsville, QLD 1997 - 2000
Inc. 1st Year BA. Visual Arts
Plus extra electives in 2nd & 3rd Year in Photo Screen Printing & Printmaking

SECONDARY SENIOR CERTIFICATE
Rockhampton Grammar School
Rockhampton QLD 1996 – 1997

SECONDARY JUNIOR CERTIFICATE
Mercy College
Mackay, QLD 1993 - 1995

Education

Achievements

Consistent High Achiever
James Cook University

Dedication to Visual Arts
James Cook University

Local Artist Award
Art on Show 2007
Highly Commended

Professional skills

Brand Development
Print Design
Book Design
Web Design
Social Media
E-Commerce
POS Systems
Learning Design
Budget/Planning
Event Organisation
Project Managment
Photography

Personal skills

Creative
Organised
Reliable
Fast Learner
Team Player
Time Management

Software skills

Referees

Amy Sherlock
Past Employer, Black Owl Design
amy@blackowldesign.com.au
0467 552 382

Jodie Currie
Client, Bowen Basin Mining Club
jodie@bbminingclub.com.au
0412 998 501

I have worked with Deanne for many years in multiple different roles - designing websites, logos and Learning Management Systems. She has the best ideas and I always get great feedback on her designs. Highly recommended!
— Melody Shepherd. Range Allied Health.

Past clients