DOWNLOAD Sharon Matson Resume 2023 HERE

SHARON MATSON

AOCA, Associate of the Ontario College of Art

hello@sharonmatson.com

COMMUNICATION DESIGN

Experienced Senior Level Communication Designer and Marketing Professional with a strong background in creative design, brand development, Logo identity, SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT, packaging design, and ideation for companies, clients and consumers.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MEZZA LEBANESE KITCHEN – DARTMOUTH, NS • AUG 2022 – NOV 2023

MARKETING MANAGER

The Marketing Manager position at Mezza Lebanese Kitchen plays a crucial role within the company’s marketing and promotional efforts and in promoting the restaurant chain, building brand awareness, driving customer engagement and boosting sales. Created and developed attention-grabbing headlines and innovative marketing campaigns that align with the organization’s objectives and target audience, including conceptualizing campaign themes and key messaging.

• Campaign Ideation, Development and Graphic Design

• Print for Large and small format, OOH, Brochures, Menu Design, Direct Mail

• Digital Design for Menu Boards in restaurants, Social Media

• Food Photography

• Packaging Design

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SHARON MATSON COMMUNICATION DESIGN – Bedford, NS • June 2018 – Present

Creative Director/OWNER

Sharon Matson Communication Design is a project based creative communication and design consultant, located in the Halifax, Nova Scotia, working with clients locally and remotely across North America.

• Print – Marketing Collateral, OOH, Direct Mail, Brochures

• Logo Design – Visual Identity Design, Branding, Vectors, Applications

• Social Media – Content Creative, Management and Copywriting

• Package Design – Design and Production

• Website Design – Custom Site Design, Banner Advertising Design

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SUGOI PERFORMANCE APPAREL – BURNABY, BC • MARCH 2016 – AUGUST 2017

Packaging and Senior Graphic Designer/MARKETING

Research, ideation and packaging design for cycling, training and triathlon apparel. Print production and coordination with International vendors and global marketing Directors.  

• Packaging Re-design and Visual Merchandising

• Production and Packaging Coordinator

• Print Design and Art Direction

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SHARON MATSON.COM – Vancouver, BC • 2012 – 2015

Communication Design Director

Creation, planning, fulfillment of marketing communications and brand development for Web and Print for small to medium size business. Clients include Freshslice Pizza, Blue Sky Communications, Impact Studio, pHood for Life, Imperative Education, Piece of Cake Productions and Qigong Wisdom.

RKW COMMUNICATIONS – Delta, BC • 1 YEAR/1 MONTH

Senior Packaging Designer

Packaging design and management of several ongoing projects with multiple deadlines for large retail brands. Maintained existing brand standards and logo usage while following printer specifications and regulated requirements for packaging. Studio photography and Photoshop retouching. Planned work and carried out tasks with minimal instruction.

• Consistently produced accurate, creative, professional work following detailed procedures

• Secured clients buy in with new design direction resulting in increased business

• High productivity with fast turn-around times while following strict deadlines

VALIANCE PARTNERS – Bernardsville, NJ • 3 YEARS/7 MONTHS

Art Director/Senior Graphic Designer

Brand development and graphic design for migration and validation software developer in regulated business. Conceptual development and design of websites, tradeshow exhibits, PowerPoint presentations, logo design, and brochure design. Created architectural diagrams for marketing tools, presentations and webinars.

• Launched seven brands including ideation, identity, and design

• Company growth tripled during this period

• Successfully collaborated with company leaders remotely, while residing in Vancouver, BC

MCG COMMUNICATIONS – New Westminster, BC • 8 MONTHS

Senior Graphic Designer/PACKAGING

Researched, analyzed, designed and produced original packaging design and print collateral for large brands including catalogues, brochures, advertising, and identity design. Creative copywriting and effective communication written and spoken.

• Increased team’s ability to sell ideas, create new business and new products

• Solved creative problems and consistently delivered high quality communication design work

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VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL – Vancouver, BC • 9 MONTHS

Instructor/Communication Design Department

As a part-time instructor within the Communication Design Department at VFS, I had the privilege of teaching intermediate and advanced level courses to our dedicated full-time students. My role encompasses not only delivering engaging lessons but also crafting comprehensive course materials and captivating visual presentations. I take pride in fostering a supportive and conducive learning environment, ensuring that each student can thrive and reach their full potential.

• Designed and implemented new curriculum and course materials

• Demonstrated ability to engage and encourage 18 – 20 students while giving positive feedback and fostering group critiques

• Provided individual in-class mentoring

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INSPIRATION STATION – Vancouver, BC • 2 YEARS

Owner/Art Director

Art Director for communication design firm. Responsible for conceptualizing and designing a wide variety of projects including web design, graphic design, identity design, exhibit design, brochure design and logo identity.

• Direct consultation and collaboration with clients to assess design direction, goals and needs 

• Developed new leads and business contacts resulting in increased client satisfaction and retention

• Established new brand standards for clients

• Launched corporate websites

• Designed exhibits and coordinated print and production with international suppliers

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EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN – Vancouver, BC • 2 MONTHS

Instructor/Design Essentials Certificate Program

Instruction of two dimensional design for the Design Essentials Certificate Program. Developed the course curriculum using PowerPoint presentations to clearly show examples and create interest and excitement. Initiated discussion and class participation. Encouraged enthusiastic students to gain a greater understanding of the elements and principals of design.

• Developed course curriculum and materials for a class size of 20

• Created a positive, supportive learning environment showing sensitivity to individual’s differences

• Considered and sought diverse perspectives and ideas and encouraged development of unique skills and talents

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BURNTSAND – Vancouver, BC • 2 YEARS/1 MONTH

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer for North American consulting and technology services company delivering enterprise wide solutions using leading technologies. Worked closely with company leaders and directors creating architectural diagrams and graphic design for online and offline presentations and proposals.

• Coordinated CD Rom design and duplication, packaging and graphics

• Planned and designed trade show exhibits throughout North America

• Oversaw production with international suppliers meeting all specs and requirements

• Diagrams and illustrations were adopted for company wide use

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BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – Burnaby, BC • 6 MONTHS

Instructor/Graphic Design for New Media and Marketing

Developed and taught required courses for students in New Media and Marketing programs. Enhanced and developed course materials. Courses included class participation and the ideation and execution of several design projects.

• Instruction and lectures for a class size of 30

• Created digital presentations for instruction and demonstration and taught introductory and advanced level courses

• Assessed and monitored students progress including marking of assignments and exams

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VANCOUVER ART GALLERY – Vancouver, BC • 15 MONTHS

Gallery Graphic Technician A/V

Designed and produced way finding signage for gallery exhibits including titles, didactic panels and posters. Large format printing, mounting and installation of signs and titles requiring level, exacting measurements and attention to detail. Operating CAD cutting system and software for vinyl signage. Installing graphic panels and signage in the gallery.

• Design and Installation of graphic panels and vinyl signage within the gallery

• Highly skilled using production equipment and tools for design, printing and installation

• Planned work and carried out tasks independantly

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EDUCATION

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN – Toronto, Ontario

Communication and Design Department

AOCA, Associate of the Ontario College of Art (4 years full-time, Associates Degree)

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BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – Burnaby, British Columbia

New Media Management Courses

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NIAGARA COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS – Welland, Ontario

Art and Design Foundation Certificate (1 year full-time)

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