Julie Litrov's Page

Title:

Freelance Designer

Media Type:

Publishing

Media Realm:

Consumer Media, Business Media

Past Companies & Brands

Reader's Digest magazine
American Salon magazine
FamilyPC magazine
Seccessful Meetings magazine
Exus/Orbitel brand identity

I'm Looking For:

Jobs

Professional Background: (Resume)

BACKGROUND AND TECHNICAL SKILLS
- over 10 years of experience in magazine design/print industry; formed many professional relationships with award winning photographers and illustrators through collaborative projects
- ability to conceptualize and think creatively as well as monitor projects through production stages
- excellent knowledge of current versions of InDesign, PhotoShop, Illustrator, QuarkXPress, QPS, PlanControl and MS Office on MAC/PC platforms; basic HTML, JavaScript and Director
- strong Fine Arts background
- business communication skills including preparation and implementation of presentations for design projects
- bilingual, English and Russian; some Spanish

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Reader’s Digest magazine, Pleasantville, NY
Assistant Art Director (April 2002 - May 2008)
- produced creative, energetic and fresh layouts that strategically attracted a younger readership and increased ad sales by appealing to new accounts though rejuvenated design
- held sole responsibility for concept/design/layout and photographers/illustrators for FOB "Only In America" and BOB "RDLiving" life-style sections as well as feature stories. Performed an extensive stock photo research/editing; organized, styled and art direct photoshoots on/off location
- played a key role in brainstorming and visual concept discussions to illustrate stories that led to award winning art/photo assignments
- color corrected and revised USRD as well as Large Print Edition RD files for pre-press production, assuring superb visual quality
- participated in logo redesign for Russian RD as well as contributed to two magazine re-designs, resulting in more current look
- designed promo campaign for Word Power Challenge national competition sponsored by RD, targeted to raise event awareness among educators, gaining an increased schools’ participation
- supervised summer interns

American Salon magazine, New York, NY
Freelance Designer (September 2001 - March 2002)
- designed magazine pages
- contributed to concept development for magazine's art
- performed extensive photo editing
- reviewed and finalized page designs and prepared files for pre-press production

FamilyPC magazine, New York, NY
Assistant Art Director (November 1999 - August 2001)
- designed magazine covers and page layouts, appealing to tech savvy readership
- participated in extensive brainstorming and art concept development, leading to creative visuals
- adhered to a tight budget while hiring illustrators/photographers on per-project basis; organized and art directed photoshoots; performed an extensive photo research/editing, resulting in visually stimulating layouts
- reviewed and finalized layouts and prepared files for pre-press production, assuring quality craftsmanship
- worked with internet developers group on redesign of familypc.com, culminating in a scheduled re-launch

Exus Networks, Inc.; Orbitel, New York, NY
Director of Creative Services (December 1998 - December 2000)
- developed and designed logos and corporate identity kits for both companies, establishing visual branding
- conceptualized, photographed and designed newspaper/magazine ads, resulting in 65% profit revenues
- art directed design of exus.com in collaboration with programmers, leading to a better company exposure
- oversaw production budgets; handled art department’s equipment purchasing while staying under budget

Successful Meetings magazine, New York, NY
Freelance Designer (June 1997 - November 1999)
- designed magazine covers, page layouts, and newsletters; illustrated magazine articles
- photo researched, designed and organized presentations

EDUCATION AND TRAINING
SVA, New York, NY - Continuing Education, Web Design and Digital Media (October 2003)
FIT, New York, NY - BFA Graphic Design, AAS Advertising Design; graduated with Honors (May 1999)
Art School, Ukraine - Diploma, Studied Fine Arts and Art History

Personal Interests

design, photography, travel, tennis

Education:

FIT, New York, NY

Other Web Profile or Personal Web Site

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/6/167/335

Other Web Profile URL or Personal Web Site

http://www.grandrocktravel.com

Relationship Status:

In a Relationship