NORTHERN VIRGINIA / DC BASED GRAPHIC DESIGNER
LAUREN
I DESIGN AND MAKE STUFF LOOK PRETTY
SISK
MAKE IT POP!
PORTFOLIO
ABOUT ME
Creative
Passionate
Bold
Hi there, my name is Lauren, I am a nerd +
illustrator + graphic designer based in the
Northern Virginia/ DC area.
Art has always been a big part of my life, if not the reason I was in constant trouble at school — the creative monkeys in my head could not be bothered with social studies.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014. Since then, I have built a successful career as a freelance graphic designer, collaborating with a diverse range of clients, including Netflix. For the past thirteen years, I have served as a full-time Lead Graphic Designer for two nonprofit organizations and worked as a contract graphic designer for two marketing firms. My experience includes collaborations with various government agencies over the past four years, such as NPIN, CDC, NIH, FEMA, the Department of Defense, and the Census Bureau.
My expertise spans a wide array of design disciplines, including animation, video editing, illustration, social media content, multi-page layouts, branding, logo design, web design, and app design.
Outside of my professional work, I enjoy reading novels by Neil Gaiman, watching cult classic B films, and spending time at the dog park with my two beloved dogs, Artemis and Georgie.
Please feel free to reach out to me at laurenashy89@gmail.com.
SKILLS & TOOLS
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Graphic Design
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Branding & Visual Identity
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Motion Graphics & Animation
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Video Editing
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UX/UI Design
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Wireframing & Prototyping
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Social Media Design
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IllustratingWeb Design
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Print & Digital Marketing Materials
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Client Communication & Collaboration
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Creative Direction & Concept Development
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Project Management
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Cross-functional Teamwork
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Attention to Detail
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Infograph's
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Typography & Layout Design
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Image Editing & Retouching
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User Research & Usability Testing
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Interactive Design
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Client & Stakeholder Engagement
Design & Illustration
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Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro)
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Sketch
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Figma
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Canva
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CorelDRAW
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Affinity Designer
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Procreate
Video Editing & Animation
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Adobe Premiere Pro
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Adobe After Effects
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Final Cut Pro
UX/UI Design & Prototyping
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Figma
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Adobe XD
Others
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Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word)
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Basecamp
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Jira
Web & Social Media
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WordPress / Webflow
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Google Web Designer
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Mailchimp / Constant Contact
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Hootsuite / Buffer
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Google Analytics (for measuring design impact)
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Google Fonts / Adobe Fonts (for typography management)
Presentation & Proposal Design
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Microsoft PowerPoint
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Google Slides
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Adobe Acrobat Pro
Project Management & Collaboration
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Trello
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Asana
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Slack
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Microsoft Teams
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Google Drive / Dropbox (for file sharing and collaboration)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Brillient Corporation
December 2024 - Present
Strategic and results-driven design professional leading the visual development of high-value Federal Government proposals, capture efforts, and marketing campaigns. Adept at guiding design strategy, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and delivering sophisticated graphics, infographics, and layout designs for complex, document-intensive deliverables. Expert in visual storytelling, brand alignment, and translating technical content into compelling visual narratives. Strong background in managing full-cycle production for both digital and print assets, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and Section 508 compliance. Recognized for a meticulous eye for detail, deadline-driven performance, and a proven ability to elevate the visual impact of mission-critical communications in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
September 2020 - September 2021
Montage Marketing Group, LLC, Graphic Designer | Video Editor & Animator (Temporary)
Delivered dynamic, multi-platform visual content to support client marketing and branding initiatives. Combined graphic design, motion graphics, and video production skills to craft compelling creative solutions aligned with diverse business goals.
Graphic Design
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Created digital ads, brochures, social media graphics, email templates, and promotional materials with consistent branding across all deliverables.
Video Editing & Animation
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Produced and edited video content using motion graphics and visual effects to enhance campaign storytelling and audience engagement.
Creative Concept Development
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Partnered with internal teams and clients to develop visual concepts that clearly communicated brand messages and marketing objectives.
Client Communication
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Maintained regular communication with clients throughout project lifecycles, ensuring alignment with expectations, feedback, and timelines.
Multimedia Campaign Integration
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Designed and deployed cohesive visual assets across email, web, social media, and live event platforms for full-spectrum marketing efforts.
Project & File Management
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Balanced multiple deadlines while maintaining high creative standards; prepared and optimized final assets for digital and print delivery.
This role sharpened my ability to merge design with multimedia storytelling, delivering results-driven content across digital ecosystems while meeting fast-paced client needs.
American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), Lead Graphic Designer
February 2016 - January 2019
As the Lead Graphic Designer at American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), I was responsible for overseeing and executing the visual design strategy for the organization, ensuring consistency and alignment with ARIN’s mission, brand, and goals. I played a key role in creating design solutions for a wide range of communication materials, both internal and external, including digital, print, and event-related assets. My core responsibilities included:
Brand Identity and Design Leadership
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Led the development and maintenance of ARIN's visual identity, ensuring consistency across all platforms.
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Managed design direction for marketing, communications, and educational materials, aligning with organizational objectives.
Project Management
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Managed multiple design projects from concept to production, ensuring timely delivery of print, web, and event materials.
Creative Direction and Strategy
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Collaborated with internal teams to understand project goals and audience needs, providing creative direction on marketing campaigns and events.
Visual Content for Digital and Print
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Designed a wide range of materials, ensuring visual consistency and alignment with ARIN's brand guidelines.
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams
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Worked with subject matter experts, web developers, and communications teams to create engaging, user-friendly content.
Event Branding and Design
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Led design for events and conferences, ensuring materials reflected ARIN's professional brand and enhanced the attendee experience.
Design Systems and Templates
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Created and maintained reusable design templates and systems, streamlining workflows and ensuring brand consistency.
Mentorship and Training
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Provided mentorship to junior designers, ensuring high design quality and adherence to ARIN's branding standards.
During my tenure at ARIN, I helped shape the visual identity of the organization to reflect its role as a trusted authority in the internet infrastructure space, contributing to the clarity and effectiveness of its communications with stakeholders across the globe.
Sensis inc., Graphic Designer
September 2021 - July 2024
Created a wide range of visual assets supporting both internal initiatives and client-facing campaigns, blending design expertise with animation, video, and UX skills to deliver high-impact creative solutions.
Proposal & Presentation Design
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Developed polished PowerPoint decks and PDF proposals that aligned with brand guidelines and clearly communicated complex ideas.
Animation & Video Editing
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Produced motion graphics and video content for marketing, internal communication, and client presentations to boost visual engagement.
UX & Digital Design
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Designed wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity prototypes for web and mobile applications; collaborated with developers to enhance usability.
Branding & Visual Communication
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Maintained cohesive brand identity across print, web, and digital ads, tailoring assets to client needs while preserving visual consistency.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
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Worked closely with marketing, sales, and product teams to develop multi-channel campaigns and ensure design aligned with strategic goals.
Creative Leadership
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Owned the design process from ideation to delivery, incorporating feedback, meeting tight deadlines, and ensuring alignment with project objectives.
Consistently delivered creative that balanced innovation with strategic clarity, helping Sensis Inc. and its clients communicate effectively and stand out in competitive markets.
Earth Day Network, Lead Graphic Designer (Temporary)
May 2019 - September 2020
Spearheaded the creative direction and visual identity for the landmark 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, leading cross-functional design initiatives that supported global environmental campaigns. Oversaw the development of high-impact visual assets across print, digital, video, and interactive platforms, ensuring cohesive branding and message clarity aligned with Earth Day Network’s mission.
Creative Direction
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Led the design strategy and execution for Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary, unifying visual themes across marketing materials, event collateral, and digital campaigns.
Brand Development
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Reinforced and evolved Earth Day Network’s visual identity by creating fresh, mission-driven design assets for internal and public-facing initiatives.
Video & Animation
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Produced motion graphics and edited videos for global campaigns, events, and social media—amplifying engagement through storytelling and dynamic visuals.
UX & Digital Design
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Contributed to website UX/UI enhancements and interactive campaigns, focusing on accessibility, usability, and audience participation.
Event & Social Media Creative
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Designed branding and materials for virtual and in-person events; created engaging digital content for international social media efforts.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
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Partnered with marketing, communications, and outreach teams to align design execution with campaign strategy and stakeholder objectives.
Project & Team Leadership
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Managed timelines and stakeholder feedback while mentoring junior designers, fostering a collaborative, high-performing creative team.
Played a key role in elevating Earth Day Network’s global visual presence and inspiring action through powerful, purpose-driven design.
Lauren Ash, Owner, Freelance Design
September 2012 - Present
As the Owner and Lead Graphic Designer of my freelance design company, I oversaw all aspects of project management, client relations, and business operations. I coordinated design projects from inception to completion, ensuring that deadlines and client requirements were met while maintaining profitability. I acted as the main point of contact for clients, managing expectations and defining project scope and budgets.
In addition to my creative duties, I handled daily business operations, including contracts, invoicing, and financial management, ensuring efficient cash flow. I also developed marketing strategies to promote the business and attract new clients. At conventions, I represented the business, selling designs and networking with potential collaborators.
I provided exceptional customer support, resolving any client concerns and offering design solutions that aligned with their goals, ensuring satisfaction and continued relationships.