Amanda Cohen
1318 W. Montrose Ave. 3rd Fl. East, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 271-3314 — Send Email

Summary

Expert in use of Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, with ability to teach and support other users. Projects include presentation design, graphic art, digital retouching, image conversion, document editing and formatting, ensuring Mac/PC cross-compatibility, photo and slide scanning for printing and on-screen display, and database management. Also expert in event planning with remarkable attention to detail. Experienced writer and technical trainer. Able to juggle multiple projects and turn out high quality, creative materials on schedule, exceeding customer and client expectations.

Software
Equally expert in Mac and PC Versions
PowerPoint Quark Photoshop Illustrator
Word Word Perfect Dreamweaver Freelance Graphics
Excel (incl. pivot tables) PageMaker Acrobat Various proprietary databases
InDesign ImageReady All Windows Versions All Mac Platforms
(proficient to expert in most recent as well as older versions of all applications listed)

Relevant Skills
Professional Writing File Conversion Image Scanning Proofreading
Promotional Writing Graphic Design Creative Brainstorming Digital Retouching
Public Relations Web Research Web Graphics Basic HTML
Event Production Public Speaking Multitasking Technical Instruction
Reproducing graphics created with different applications. Creating original templates for use in PowerPoint. Developing and interpreting databases. Printing and taming rampant mail merges.

Specific Skills

Photoshop:   Clipping paths, scanning/merging oversized images, color correcting, actions/batching, original image design, multiple file re-naming (using Adobe Bridge)
Illustrator:   Logo re-creation, original image design, file conversion
PowerPoint:   Animation, links, graphics original templates, charts and graphs, backgrounds, audio/video

Business Experience

  • Manage entertainment company as sole-proprietor, including booking, contracts, advertising, and design
  • Designed original templates using stringent corporate design guidelines
  • Designed all aspects of presentations from template and graphics to animation and projection
  • Managed all aspects of three successful conventions, including scheduling, publicity, sales, web and graphic design, and staff
  • Coordinated promotions, public relations, sponsors, advertising and scheduling for theatre companies and events
  • Researched and interviewed business professionals for marketing videos, as well as entertainment professionals for feature articles
  • Assisted in design, development and execution of marketing projects and presentations
  • Generated mass-mailings and handled heavy phone and email response

    • Technical Training, Writing and Consulting

  • Trained employees in the use of LotusNotes5
  • Created a presentation to instruct users on using images in PowerPoint, and used this presentation in classes
  • Served as help desk for creative applications, counseling users and trouble-shooting by phone
  • Wrote and edited user manuals for new applications being introduced to employees, with emphasis on simplifying step-by-step instructions
  • Conducted orientation for new employees in use of Document Production department's services

    • Online Portfolio

    http://www.finepointproductions.com/portfolio

    Job Experience

    Aug. 2000 to present Freelance Presentation/Document Specialist, creating presentations, graphics, charts, spreadsheets, and documents of all kinds using Word, Excel, Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark and PowerPoint, working independently and through agents including Aquent Inc., Artisan, Sun Consultants, and The Creative Group.

        Sample Freelance Work
        IPP Lithograph PowerPoint Specialist
        Chicago Humanities Festival PowerPoint Animation
        KPMG Document Design, Printing
        WNEP Theater Graphic design
        Jerk Alert Productions Graphic design
        Rand McNally Database queries, graphic design
        Jenner & Block Desktop publisher, ad designer (ongoing)
        Edelman Public Relations Presentation/Quark specialist
        Lipson Alport Glass & Associates (LAGA) Presentation specialist
        Quaker Oats Presentation specialist
        Goble & Associates PowerPoint production artist
        McDougal Littell Document specialist, Project coordinator
        The Marketing Store Document specialist
        Equity Office Properties PowerPoint production artist
        Context Magazine (Diamondcluster Int'l) Production associate
        Deloitte & Touche Document Processing Center Document Specialist
        DDB Chicago, Beyond DDB Presentation Specialist

     

    Feb. '98 to Aug. 2000 Frankel, Document Production Admin. Coordinator, Document Specialist, produced promotional and marketing materials for many corporate customers on tight deadlines.
    1997 to present Fine Point Productions, children's entertainment, body painting, event planning and production.
    1995 to 1997 Stellar Business/Marketing Masters, Internet marketing assistant.
    1989 to 1996 KDKA Radio, Pittsburgh, Pa., Producer for news and programming. Also news writer, copywriter and assistant to Programming Director. Duties included creating original art and documents for the promotions department, database management for Storm Center.
    1990 to 1991 Gateway Publications/Woodland Area Progress, Staff Reporter.

    Educational Background

    B.A. in Creative/Professional Writing, Carnegie Mellon, 1989

    Special Skills and Projects

    Document Specialist
    Wide range of documents includes newsletters, PowerPoint presentations, slide presentations, pamphlets, direct mail letters, name tags, posters, handbooks, cookbooks, interactive tables of contents, phone directories, print advertising, mail merges, direct mail, charts and tables, online forms, templates and original graphics.

    Freelance Writer
    Wrote features, previews and news for many newspapers, including: In Pittsburgh, Woodland Area Progress (staff), Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Chicago Tribune, Milwaukee Shepherd Express, Philadelphia Daily News, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cleveland Scene, and Just For Laughs (comedy trade paper). Currently write sketches, lyrics and scripts for local theater productions.

    Event Producer/Promoter
    Organized three successful celebrity fan conventions. Event grosses ranged between $10,000 and $20,000 and raised money for several charities. Involved web design, graphic design, public relations, merchandise design and sales, video production, staffing, and regional and international media interviews. Produced Improv-a-Thon charity events in 1994 and 1995, coordinating entertainers and soliciting business sponsors and donors. Also produced competitive comedy show, The Improv Challenge, 2000-2003.