Bio

Crystal Nichols

Minnesota, Remote Only | crystal.arcticlotus@gmail.com | LinkedIn
Please reach out for my most updated, private portfolio. | Download Resumé

Creative, driven, results-oriented professional with a proven track record of delivering high-quality design solutions that exceed expectations and drive results. Demonstrating a comprehensive skill set in creative content creation and visual storytelling, adept at crafting visually captivating presentations and graphics. Proven ability to foster innovation and lead teams to success, delivering impactful design solutions that elevate brands and drive business growth.

Freelance & Self-Employed
Roseau, MN ▪ July 2006 – Present
Graphic Designer, Social Media Manager

• Lovingly crafts layouts with unique design elements for contract clients
• Spearheads the writing, marketing, and business management of a creator-owned comic book project for self-publishing
• Executes world-building, story planning, creative writing, editing, and lettering for the comic book series, ensuring cohesive and engaging narratives
• Implements social media marketing strategies to cultivate customer loyalty and engage with the target audience, leveraging platforms effectively to promote the product
• Designs graphics and crafted compelling written content for Kickstarter campaigns and social media marketing initiatives, driving awareness and funding for the comic book project
• Manages financial planning, budgeting, documentation, as well as event and travel planning, demonstrating proficiency in organizational and administrative tasks essential for project success

Omnicom Production Studio (previously Link9)
Jersey City, NJ (remote) ▪ July 2022 – December 2025
Senior Presentation Designer 

• Specialized as an agency graphic designer, focusing on presentation design for healthcare and pharmaceutical clients, positively impacting over $1B in annual revenue
• Demonstrated expertise in creating visually captivating presentations utilizing PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides formats, ensuring engaging content delivery
• Proficient in designing and formatting speaker deck presentations, templates, logos, and email graphics to maintain consistency and adherence to brand standards
• Collaborated effectively with stakeholders during launch meetings to define project timelines and expectations, guaranteeing alignment with client objectives and brand guidelines

DCM Services
Bloomington, MN (hybrid) ▪ July 2019 – July 2022
Presentation Designer

• Executed presentation design specializing in finance, B2B, and debt collections within the SaaS sector, contributing to a robust annual revenue of $106M
• Designed and laid out client-facing presentations for new sales pitches and business reviews, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and objectives
• Conducted editorial reviews of presentations, collateral, RFIs, and proposals to maintain consistency and accuracy
• Orchestrated event planning for the annual Client Conference, managing logistics such as location selection, vendor coordination, and speaker arrangements
• Fostered interdepartmental collaboration, actively engaging with committees and leadership to align presentation strategies with organizational goals
• Led the Events Committee, overseeing vendor relationships and internal communications to ensure seamless event execution and stakeholder satisfaction

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN (hybrid) ▪ December 2016 – July 2019
Graphic & Multimedia Designer

• Supported all departments within Academic Support Resources as a graphic designer, facilitating communications for a student and staff base of over 30k and 20k respectively
• Crafted visually engaging presentations across multiple platforms including PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides, ensuring effective content delivery
• Designed and laid out print and web applications for University-wide communications, adhering to brand guidelines and enhancing visual appeal; Utilized infographics and data visualization techniques to communicate complex ideas effectively
• Demonstrated proficiency in video and audio recording and editing, as well as motion graphics animation, contributing to multimedia content creation
• Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams comprising Writers/Editors, Coders, and Stakeholders, fostering synergy and ensuring alignment with project objectives and timelines

Log House Foods
Plymouth, MN ▪ August 2010 – December 2016
Creative Director

• Spearheaded in-house creation of dynamic, seasonal campaigns to underscore product value and bolster sales, contributing to an annual revenue of $9M
• Designed packaging, advertising materials, and collateral such as recipe cards, T-shirts, and POP display graphics to ensure brand consistency and visual appeal
• Managed end-to-end project execution for private label collaborations between B2B clients and printers, overseeing timelines, budgets, and quality control
• Directed the vision of photo shoots for campaigns, ensuring alignment with brand identity and campaign objectives
• Demonstrated proficiency in coding, designing, and laying out websites, with expertise in WordPress, SEO optimization, and social media integration to enhance online presence and user engagement

Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts: Graphic Design ▪ May 2007

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint), Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premier Pro, Audition, Acrobat), Google Suite (Slides, Docs, Sheets), Apple Keynote, Figma, Canva, Affinity, Asana, Trello, WordPress