QUALIFICATIONS

🐨 Bear witness to my experience, roles, and proficiencies 

TIMMY NELSON | DIGITAL DESIGNER

Confident, creative, energetic leader with 10+ years of higher education marketing, communication, philanthropy, social media management, and interactive storytelling experience complemented by 16+ years of digital content creation, freelance graphic design, and traditional illustration.

EMPLOYMENT

Digital Communications Manager
Wayne State University | Office of Alumni Relations
2021 – Present


Web Communications Specialist
University of Detroit Mercy | Marketing & Communications
2014 – 2021


Freelance Illustrator/Graphic Designer
TrueTimFoolery, LLC
2011 – Present

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Philosophy Minor
University of Detroit Mercy
May 2011

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

  • Raised more than $54,000 for Corewell Health Children’s Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network, Extra Life, 2019-Present

  • Led identity and brand execution for multiple million-dollar philanthropy campaigns at Wayne State University, 2022-Present

  • Qualified for Twitch Affiliate Program, Twitch, 2019

  • Received National Service Fraternity Chapter Distinguished Service Key, Alpha Phi Omega, 2011

  • Earned Eagle Scout Rank, Boy Scouts of America, 2004

SOFTWARE PROFICIENCIES/TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • 16+ years: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Microsoft Office, Traditional Illustration

  • 8+ years: Cascade Content Management Systems, WordPress

  • 7+ years: Twitch/OBS

  • 4+ years: Trello, Canva, Delivra, Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie

  • 2 years: Keynote, Lightroom, Dreamweaver

  • 1 year: After Effects, Figma, AutoDesk

EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Visual Design, Storytelling, & Media Production

  • Creates engaging and interactive storytelling experiences focused on philanthropy, education, and entertainment

  • Designs collateral in vector graphics, traditional illustration, and mixed digital media

  • Defines and implements visual design strategy and detailed brand/identity packages for print, web, and social media

Marketing & Communication

  • Drives the development and execution of strategic plans while cognizant of departmental/division goals, objectives, measurements, missions, and visions

  • Prepares consistent print and digital on priority projects as well as higher education marketing, pride, and giving campaigns

  • Communicates project progress to key stakeholders and assesses risks in a positive, solution-oriented outlook

  • Measures, tracks, and reports key performance indicators and web analytics

  • Elevates web experiences across multiple sites using content management systems, while maintaining brand consistency and accessibility needs

  • Manages, edits, and produces engaging internal and external university communications and newsletters

  • Supported marketing campaigns to promote philanthropy, advancement, and engagement as a photographer, video producer, script writer, editor, and actor

Leadership & Project Management

  • Collaborates with designers, web developers, copywriters, gift officers, departmental leadership, and content creators while recognizing team dynamic, connecting productive group energy, and amplifying expertise

  • Oversees project management tracking systems to deliver high quality and timely deliverables within logical process pipelines

  • Monitors brand and design standards across platforms for identity cohesion while balancing visual and verbal tone

  • Manages freelance projects including consolations, financial agreements, budgets, revisions, and asset delivery in a professional and timely manner. Collaborates closely with clients, applying feedback and critiques to deliver work tailored to needs/mission/vision/values

  • Offered student mentorship and leadership training as student organization advisor and marketing internship managers

  • Trained employees on website content management systems, user experience, and accessibility

  • Provided insight and alumni perspective on university alumni boards and strategic planning committees for major campaigns including Giving Day, Week of Service, and Homecoming