My core focus is branding, illustration, and sloths.
They’re not creepy. They’re beautiful, okay?
When I’m not designing, drawing, or illustrating, I spend time with my lovely husband and daughter, get outdoors,
or get crafty with needle felting and hand embroidery.
I’ve gone through a number of phases in my career and down a number of paths; each
has informed my current work ethos and direction. I have felt passionate about and excelled in a number of Graphic Designer roles in diverse industries, from print production and marketing to illustration and package design. My growth as a designer has sparked my desire to share this passion with others.
My number one asset is my ability to adapt to any challenge that is thrown my way.
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe InDesign
CorelDraw
Bootstrap Studio
Webflow
Figma
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excell
Microsoft Powerpoint
Hand/Digital Illustration
Managerial Skills
- Betty White
San Diego City College | 2022 - Present
Instructor for the Digital Media Course where I work with students to learn the Adobe Create Suite Programs: Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. I provide feedback on assignments, grade, and hold weekly office hours.
San Diego City College | 2021 - 2022
I actively work with students to provide them with feedback on assignments. I do grading, hold weekly office hours, and have been privileged with developing the course curriculum to further aid the success of students in an online environment.
PetDigs | 2019 - 2020
I worked with Pet Digs to develop their brand, including a logo, color palette, typefaces for print and web, and illustration style.
I applied this style to multiple illustrations used within their app as well as social media sites.
BexBrands | 2017 - 2018
I was lucky to learn new skills at Bex, where I worked both on solo and team projects. In addition to our internal team, I worked closed with several clients. Package design, branding, and illustration are some of the many skills acquired.
Seven/Skyline Church | 2016 - 2018
My responsibilities included designing Bible series graphics for both print and web, graphics for service announcements, and ordering all printed materials from specified vendors.
12 Toes Promotions | 2012 - 2016
The Development of print and web graphics, ads, illustrations, and logos were some of my responsibilities at 12 Toes. We worked closely with food and drink companies to create bottle labels, neck tags, menus, and more traditional stationery items such as envelopes, letterhead, and business cards.
Nelson Press | 2011 - 2012
This position focused heavily on traditional stationery items such as envelopes, letterhead, and business cards. In addition, I worked with the sister company to create exterior and interior signage for local businesses.
Bachelor’s degree, Graphic Design & Media Arts | 2020 - 2022
Certificate, Graphic Design | 2014-2017
Certificate, Graphic Design | 2010-2011
2018 Health + Wellness Design Awards
Brekki Packaging Design & Illustrations
1st Place - Illustration
2nd Place - Overall
I have known Colleen for the past 8 years and she exceeds my expectations – every time! She has a broad skill set in graphic design and illustration and she is explosively creative, applying her innovative thinking to each project. I love the branding she did for our City FX Program at San Diego City College (SDCC); both her print and online design heightened impact on our target community.
She has also been a TA for our Intro to Graphic Design course at SDCC. She is organized, detail oriented, and applies her keen understanding in developing student focused online curriculum for the course. She loves working with our diverse student population here at City. She is an asset to our program because she sees both the larger goals of the classroom and how to build individual assignments to meet that learning objective. In her grading and office hours she provides clear detailed feedback so students can improve their work for the future. You will love working with Colleen, guaranteed!
-Andrea Singer, MFA
Professor of Dramatic Arts and Graphic Design, San Diego City College
If you're looking for a skilled designer with unparalleled illustration skills, Colleen is the one for you! I've had the pleasure of working with Colleen on a variety of projects and have witnessed her tackle challenges with ease and adaptability. Whether you need a modern, clean logo design or fun, whimsical baby food packaging, Colleen can deliver top-quality work!
- Melanie Lewis
Senior Artist, UC San Diego