Christina Bellaro
Profile

Creative professional with a proven track record of successful projects from initial design concept through completion. High-energy, results-oriented leader recognized for innovative, eye catching designs. Possess strong problem-solving skills, exceptional multitasking abilities and an ability to manage time-sensitive projects.
 

 
Key Qualifications
  • Superior knowledge of InDesign, QuarkXPress, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
     
  • Possess artistic talent as well as strong technical expertise in production and offset printing specfications.
     
  • Skilled in translating abstract concepts into successful innovative solutions.
     
  • Highly motivated, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
     
  • I specialize in international direct mail creative for non-profit organizations as well as large advertisement agencies.  Some of the countries that I have provided creative for include: Canada, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, and Netherlands.
     

 
Professional Experience

 

Freelance Graphic Designer |  April 2010 - Present

  • Providing direct mail marketing campaign development for dozens of international advertising agencies.
  • Designing magazine pages, brochures, business cards and annual reports.
 

Quadriga Art | Graphic Designer | New York, NY | April 2007 - April 2010

  • International and domestic product development for a large multi-national, publishing, fundraising and direct mail marketing company. Some of the countries that I developed creative for included: Canada, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, and Netherlands and the United States.
     
  • Provided fresh and innovative design for direct mail marketing for a dozen different countries in several different languages. Items that I developed included: customized envelope design, innovative outer box design, greeting cards, calendars, pocket planners, brochures, stationery sets and more.


Professional Reproductions | Graphic Designer | New York, NY | Jan. 2007 - April 2007

  • Developed original and creative artwork for magazine ads, business cards,
    brochures, posters, logos, email blasts and more.
     
  • Obtained quotes from vendors for all print jobs and coordinated the printing and
    delivery using various printers and print methods.
     

 Graphic Designer | OC Transpo | Canada | Dec. 1999 - Sept. 2006
 

  • Given the creative control of the design and layout of numerous brochures,
    posters, corporate newsletter, magazine and newspaper ads.
     
  • Responsible for TransPoetry campaign redesign with great success.

 
Software Proficiency

  • Adobe Photoshop CS4
  • Adobe Illustrator CS4
  • Adobe InDesign CS4
  • QuarkXPress 8, QuarkPassport 
  • MS FrontPage
  • MS Publisher
  • Adobe PageMaker
  • Adobe Acrobat Professional and Distiller
  • Adobe Type Manager, Suitcase Fusion
  • HTML
  • Filezilla, Fetch, Cyberduck
  • Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel
  • WordPerfect, Word / Works
  • Skilled in both Mac and PC operating systems
 

Education and Specialized Training
  • Diploma in Graphic Design, 1997-1999, Algonquin College, Canada
     
  • Oil and Acrylic Painting, 2001-2005, Ottawa School of Art, Canada
     
  • Black and White Photography, 1996-1997, Ottawa School of Art, Canada
 

Professional Development
  • Introduction to HTML, 2006, Algonquin College, Canada
     
  • Designing with Typography, 2006, Algonquin College, Canada
     
  • Advanced Adobe InDesign, 2008, Baruch College, New York
 

Languages

English and French