Bio
WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHEN, HOW
Lara Dickson, Chief Whiz Bang - Deep Dish Creative
Hello, I’m Lara Dickson, a freelance graphic/web designer, social media enthusiast, and not-so-accidental tourist hailing from beautiful Burlington, Vermont. I’ve had the privilege and wherewithal to be involved in the tourism and hospitality industry on nearly every level for 20 years. On top of working in the “field” behind the front desk, on the line, on the phone, and at tableside, I finally ventured into the online marketing and digital design sector of the business including 12 years freelance and in-house graphic design and project management experience, 8 years web-development experience.
Freelance work includes web development and/or maintenance, annual reports, print advertising, web ad banners, direct mail, menus, in-house collateral, promotional materials, custom emails, etc. As Creative Services Manager for Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, responsibilities included development and management of 3-4 SCVB websites, direct mail, advertising, and promotional collateral design, and maintaining brand standards for the entire organization.
Lately I’ve been enjoying an “outside the box” worklife. I am self-employed, maintaining clients remotely yet easily and immediately accessed via email, cell, or drop-in. Outsourcing your one-person in-house art department frees up YOUR labor budget and makes MY work/life managable and enjoyable. Its a win-win for all. A one-stop shop, I handle web, ad prep, direct mail, publications, email campaigning, custom blog set-up. If I can’t be of assistance, I probably know someone who can. And I’m open to exploring a regular ol’ “job” again should the right opportunity present itself.
EXPERIENCE
IN-HOUSE
SEATTLE’S CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU, Seattle, WA
Creative Services Manager 2005-2008
Responsibilities for the Bureau included development and management of three permanent Bureau websites (and an assortment of micro-sites,) direct mail, advertising, promotional collateral design, email marketing, and maintaining brand standards for the entire organization. Asides while on staff at SCVB include collaborating with the Port of Seattle to provide a face lift to the International Terminal interior at SeaTac Airport, revealed Fall 2008.
SCVB web sites developed include:
VisitSeattle.org
CulturalAffair.org
PCMASeattle.org
SeattleSuperSaver.com
Why Tourism Matters
EVENT MANAGEMENT & PROMOTIONS, Santa Monica, CA
Graphic Designer 1999-2000
SKILL SET
Graphic Design
Software: Adobe CS3 (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat)
Traditional and Digital illustration
Keynote (Mac’s Powerpoint)
Web Design, Email Marketing, Web Advertising
HTML, ASP, Javascript, CSS, Adobe GoLive, Adobe CS3 (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash), Constant Contact, WordPress, Blogger, Social Media branding for Facebook and Twitter
EDUCATION
Art Institute of Los Angeles, 1998-1999
Art Institute of Seattle, 1997-1998
University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK 1992-1996
AFFILIATIONS & ACCOLADES
Allied Arts of Seattle, Past Board Member
ADIM (Art Directors Invitational Masters) 2007 Design Conference 3rd place design competition finisher. See project (#20) >>
Fluff
I haven’t always been a creative geek. Past experiences include waiting tables, line cook, executive chef, hotel accountant and revenue manager, taxi driver, and running a remote sport fishing lodge in Alaska. Suffice it to say – I love the outdoors, adventure, and providing great hospitality and service – regardless of the field.
Read or print my pdf résumé >>
One last shameless self-promotion
(Many thanks to @joemescher for producing this impromptu interview!)