Alicia O’Connor

WORK EXPERIENCE

Arup Los Angeles, CA

Senior Graphic Designer January 2024-Present

  • Innovates and designs compelling visual content across multiple channels, from dynamic marketing assets to engaging digital campaigns, reinforcing brand consistency and storytelling.

  • Conceptualizes and executes diverse promotional materials, including brochures, infographics, social media graphics, and interactive documents, effectively communicating key messages to target audiences.

  • Collaborates with diverse teams to create on-brand, visually engaging assets for both print and digital formats, ensuring consistency across all communications.

  • Acts as a brand ambassador by providing training and tools to reinforce visual guidelines.

Westside Neighborhood School Los Angeles, CA

Creative Director & Graphic Designer January 2021-January 2024

  • Spearheads all 360-degree channel marketing as in-house Creative Director & Graphic Designer.

  • Collaborates with the Director of Communications, Director of Marketing, and other stakeholders to strategize and reflect our brand's personality while ensuring brand consistency across all channels.

  • Designs marketing collateral (logos, brochures, print/digital/OOH advertisements, infographics), increasing admission leads by over 250%, including The Jetway, an annual magazine publication.

  • Supervises each step of the production process working directly with photographers, videographers, and in- house talent, ensuring high-quality content and on-time delivery.

Interim Director of Communications April 2018-September 2018

  • Acted as the Director of Communications role when the Director of Communications was on leave, while continuing acting as Creative and Marketing Manager.

  • Created and championed communications strategy, informed by and aligned with business objectives.

  • Copy edited a range of written communications and fundraising materials with a high attention to detail in order to ensure clarity, conciseness, and effectiveness.

  • Scheduled and coordinated all internal and external communications.

Creative & Marketing Manager June 2016-January 2021

  • Developed a marketing plan to amplify our brand’s reach and yield, increasing applications. 

  • Strategized marketing budgets and negotiated media buys, cutting our budget 25% and reallocating dollars to more appropriate and cost-effective platforms.

  • Acted as liaison between media companies, i.e., local news and the NBA, to ensure our school was presented to enhance and uphold our reputation.

  • Managed WNS Speaker Series events, including booking speakers and promoting events.

  • Oversaw and created social media campaigns, including copywriting and graphic designs.

Boisset Family Estates: Raymond Vineyards & JCB Wineries Napa, CA

Tasting Salon Ambassador November 2015-June 2016

  • Hosted wine tasting experiences in addition to offsite events, including Napa Valley Film Festival, Auction Napa Valley, and VIP private events.

  • Partnered with the Digital Marketing Specialist to create content for social media channels.

  • Contributed in launching new winery, ensuring all wine and merchandise was properly displayed and winery was media-ready for grand-opening and press events.

Hilton Worldwide Key Largo, FL

Catering and Events April 2015-October 2015

  • Solicited new business, coordinated events, and developed relationships.

  • Maintained all aspects from contract negotiation through event timing.

  • Organized events for 25-500 client groups, i.e., ballrooms, menus, set-up, decor, vendors, etc.

US International Media Los Angeles, CA

Director of Out of Home Advertising August 2010-March 2015

  • Created extensive advertising proposals for clients, such as Chevrolet, In­N­Out Burger, Buffalo Wild Wings.

  • Strategically planned and coordinated rates, locations, and timing of campaigns.

  • Effectively increased total client list buys from $4MM to $9.5MM, 237.5%.

  • Researched and analyzed market data for clients’ future marketing tactics.

  • Negotiated assets to fit or form a client’s budget.

  • Managed department’s team of three and buying processes.

  • Hired as Assistant and promoted to Account Executive and finally Director.

SKILLS & INTERESTS

Skills: Graphic Design, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom, After Effects, Microsoft Excel and Word, Google Drive, HTML/CSS, Copywriting, Media Buying, Social Media, Creative Strategy, Marketing

Interests: Curating Supper Clubs, Freelance Event Designs, Tennis, Miami HEAT Basketball, My Labrador Retreiver

EDUCATION

University of Central Florida Orlando, FL

Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communications (Advertising and Public Relations)

Minor in Creative Writing

Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA

UX Design, Web Design, Page Design, Digital Illustration, Design Studio, Digital Imaging, Typography, Photography