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Serena Bales

 

Over 30 years of graphic design, illustration, and multi-media design. 

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Since I was in grade school, I knew I wanted to be an artist. I know it is the same artist cliché but for me,
I knew early in life that I thrived in creativity. At first, I wanted to be an architect because I loved the technical aspect of creating and building things and the thought of working in different materials; wood, steel, concrete, plastic always motivated my creative mind. It still does. I consider myself a realistic artist. 

 

When I was in high school, I had an incredible teacher that always pushed me to explore creating art in different mediums and materials. This creative exploration is still with me today. After high school I achieved an Associate Degree in Commercial Art, Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Illustration and a Master of Fine Arts in Media Design. Having a spectrum of art disciplines is why I love working as a graphic designer, illustrator and fine artist today. 

 

Creating artwork that uses the different skills I have acquired over my design career helps with my creative problem-solving skills, like incorporating my illustrations into a printed design or create a fine art painting on a piece of metal or wood. Having great problem-solving solutions is the key to bringing quality and top-notch creativity to any project. I strive to produce the best creative deliverables for all my clients. 
 
I offer my clients highly creative designs, illustrations, and graphics. Creating art that moves someone is what I always strive for. 

Print

  • Pre-press

  • Layout

  • Vendor coordination

 

Art Direction

  • Vendor selection

  • Budgeting

  • Scheduling and timelines

  • Photo direction

  • Press checks and approvals

 

Illustration

  • Concept sketching

  • Technical and realistic

  • Digital and traditional

  • 2D and 3D

 

Additional

  • Brand development & management

  • Market research

  • Creating UI and UX visual designs

  • Copywriting

  • Concept development

 

Learn and adapt quickly.

 

 

Education
  • Master of Fine Arts in Media Design from
    Full Sail University - 2013

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Illustration from Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design - 1997

  • Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Commercial Art from Madison Area Technical College - 1991

Technical Skills

Mac Operating System

PC Operating System

Adobe 

Microsoft 

Working Knowledge of:

     • Authorware

     • HTML

     • CSS

     • LightWave 3D

     • Autodesk - Revit Architecture

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Professional Experience
  • Senior Graphic Designer
    American Family Insurance, Madison, WI    

LINK TO WORK

 

  • Owner/Freelance Designer/Illustrator/Artist

    Designs by Serena, Oregon, WI  

LINK TO WORK​

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  • Graphic Designer

    Spherion, Inc. on site contractor at
    American Family Insurance, Madison, WI

LINK TO WORK

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  • Senior Graphic Designer

    Pro Unlimited, Inc. on site contractor at
    American Girl, Middleton, WI

LINK TO WORK​

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  • Senior Graphic Designer/Art Director

    Tri-North Builders, Inc., Fitchburg, WI

LINK TO WORK​

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  • Senior Graphic Designer

    Warner Electric LLC, S. Beloit, IL

LINK TO WORK​

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  • Digital Artist

    FlightSafety Services Corp., Centennial, CO 

LINK TO WORK​​

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  • Digital Artist

    Street Technologies/Now Learn2.com, Golden, CO 

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  • Art Director/Senior Graphic Designer 

    International Learning Systems, Inc., Golden, CO 

     

     

     

     

Civil Involvement
  • Volunteer Graphic Designer for Logan’s Heart and Smiles Non-Profit Organization, January 2023 - Present / January 2007 - 2015

  • Co-Team Manager for the Girls U13/14, Oregon Youth Soccer League, August 2018 - May 2019

  • Fall Fury Logo Design for Tournament, Oregon Youth Soccer League, 2018

  • Team Manager for the Girls U10, Oregon Youth Soccer League,
    August 2015 - May 2016

  • Co-Chair for the Oregon PTO Arts Festival, August 2010 - May 2013

  • American Red Cross, Volunteer, January 2007- April 2013

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