miguel-velazquez-resume.pdf
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Miguel Velazquez

(404) 324-8986 | [email protected]
I have been fortunate to build a robust and diverse career across print, product design, production, publishing, and marketing. Along the way, gaining a wide range of valuable experience in design leadership, business relations, production expertise and the cross-functional strengths that enable success in our industry. With a strong work ethic, unwavering dedication, love for innovation, and a positive attitude I will strive to excel as a crucial asset, leader, and a proven team player for your organization.

Experience
 
01.2019 – Present                                                       IG Design Group Americas, Inc., Atlanta, GA
Production Artist                          (Celebrations, Stationary, Creative Play and Gifting Products)  

  • Collaborate with the creative and product development teams to manage and oversee paper product designs into production; items ranging from packaging, gift-wrap paper, bags, boxes, cards, crackers, calendars, notepads, kids creative play products, and much more that facilitate increased sales for clients such as Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, Target, T.J. Maxx, Kroger, At Home, CVS, Ross, Five Below, Dollar Tree, Walgreens, and many others
  • Lead teams of production artists who apply art from presentation to production templates to then export and release final print production files to factories in the United States and abroad
  • As part of the production template team, I create die lines, templates and maintain the archive libraries for various products, packaging and PDQ displays while sometimes assisting in finding solutions for construction issues that may arise when developing new products
  • Continuously mentor and train junior production artists, and freelancers
  • Strategically develop training materials consisting of outlines, interactive PDF guides, and video tutorials and live presentations
  • Innovation and development of the Trim/Finish Guidebooks that help strengthen communication of color and quality specifications on trim and finish items
  • Spearheaded the development of the 'One-File Template' system, reducing production errors by 35% and significantly streamlining collaboration between creative and production teams. The ‘One-File Template’ system brings together multiple templates into one effective workable file also significantly reducing the number of documents, file storage, and transfer errors for design managers, product developers, designers, 3D team, prototype specialists and production artists
  • Initiation/development of 3D team 3D templates and workflows, as a founding member, to facilitate the incorporation of 3D presentations in sales and other functions reducing significant cost and time
 
10.1998 – Present                                                                        Zero In Creative, Lawrenceville, GA
Product Designer / Founder    (Marketing Services, UX Design, Videography, & Event Rentals)

  • Built and manage a multi-service creative agency, delivering branding and marketing solutions to 50+ clients across retail, healthcare, and education industries
  • Strategically and actively promote sales with existing clientele, pertaining to UI/UX Design, printing, mailing, videography, event rentals (e.g., photo booths) and design services
  • Meet with clients monthly to determine marketing strategies and to schedule design, printing and mailing needs within customer budgets
 
03.2013 – 12.2018                                                                              Atlanta Best Media, Atlanta, GA
Production Manager/ Graphic Designer                   (Print & Digital Media/Publishing Company)
  
  • Led the production and design of 36+ lifestyle magazine issues annually, reaching over 1 million readers while also supporting event branding, digital marketing, and promotional video content for My Home Improvement Atlanta, Best Self Atlanta, My Alpharetta, My Buckhead, My East Cobb, My Intown, My Sandy Springs, and My Vinings/Smyrna
  • Designed editorial features and department layouts, client advertising, in-house sales promotions, proposals, media kits, eblasts, graphics for social media and website management, event signage, training presentations, branding for contests and events
  • Discussed and contributed to the direction of the graphics and content of editorial features, departments, contests, event branding and other strategies on weekly meetings
  • Contributed to the success of the company’s presence and reader involvement at special events: Spring Atlanta Home Show, Fall Atlanta Home Show, Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk, 2018 Komen Atlanta More Than Pink Walk, Single in the City, Over 40 & Fabulous! Contest, and eight yearly “Best of…” or “Readers’ Choice Awards”
  • Filmed and edited event footage, advertiser interview videos, and modified After Effects templates for various event continuous-play videos
  • Assisted in frequent photo shoots of individuals and groups for editorial and advertising purposes
 
09.2008 – 06.2012                                                                         The Georgian Press, Athens, GA
Art Director / Pre-Press Manager                                                 (Commercial Printing & Design)
  
  • Met with clients on a weekly basis to determine the strategy and execution of effective design and promotional needs within their respective budgets
  • Art direction and research on design projects for corporate and commercial companies in the areas of identity, signage, packaging, annual reports, P.O.P. displays, stationery, flyers, postcards, catalogs, books, in-house graphics and advertising design for multiple output mediums
  • Maintained and supervised all operations in the Pre-press Department including basic and complex impositions, client proofs, plate generation and press checks
  • Streamlined pre-press workflows and implemented a new archiving system, cutting file retrieval time by 50% and enhancing delivery timelines across departments
 
Education
 
LinkedIn Learning, Online Courses
  • Certificate of Completion, Figma Essential Training (July 2025)
  • Certificate of Completion, Adobe Dimension Essential Training - The Basics (October 2024)

CareerFoundry, Berlin, Germany (Online)
  • UX Designer’s Course, UX/UI (November 2020)

Kean University, Union, NJ
  • Bachelor of Science, Graphic Communications / Business Management (May 2001)
  • Minor, Business Science (May 2001)
 
Skills

  • Expert cross-platform skills in latest versions of Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch, Final Cut Pro, Media Valet (DAM), Approval Studio, Smartsheet, ClickUp, WorkFront, Slack, and Excel.
  • Novice cross-platform skills in latest versions of Adobe Dimensions, Adobe After Effects, Constant Contact, Mailchimp, Joomla, Kodak InSite Prepress Portal System, and PowerPoint.
 
Membership / Award

  • Co-Founder / Vice President, G-COMM Student Organization (2001)
  • Member, Art Directors Club (ADC) Young Professionals (2005-2010)
  • Award, Best Self Atlanta Magazine’s Extraordinary Graphic Designer (May 2017)
 
Volunteer Work

  • Volunteer, 12Stone Church Camera Operator (Since 2013)
  • Volunteer, 12Stone Church Video Director (Since 2018)