graphic designer for hire
Professional Info
I’m a creative and driven professional with a B.A. in Graphic Design from Millikin University and a Master of Fine Arts in Media Design from Full Sail University. My career has been built on blending creative strategy, leadership, and business acumen to deliver impactful results. Over the years, I’ve gained experience in customer service, sales, and team leadership, developing the ability to communicate effectively, solve problems quickly, and lead projects from concept to completion.
I’m highly skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, working across both Mac and PC platforms, and I thrive when managing large-scale design, branding, and marketing projects that require both innovation and precision.
Recently, I was accepted into DePaul University College of Law for the Fall 2025 term—a new chapter where I’m expanding my expertise into the legal field. My goal is to leverage my creative background, business experience, and legal education to bring a unique perspective to solving complex problems and driving strategic growth.
I’m passionate about continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration, and I’m always eager to connect with professionals who share the same drive for creating meaningful impact.
E-mail: valentinelijah@yahoo.com - Phone: 312.428.8885
Work Experience
Freelance Graphic Designer
Various clients – From Home
March 2013 - Present
- Utilizes Illustrator to edit and create flyers, logos, newsletters, e-blasts, and graphics for multiple social media platforms.
- Establish a balance of time to meet all deadlines and the client's satisfaction
- Communicate through emails and phone calls
Print Production Assistant
(Recent promotion to Digital Services Specialist, June 2025)
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
June 2024 - Present
- Coordinate internal resources or vendor services as needed
- Operate production printers, scanners, and copiers
- Cross-trained in all areas of production
- Troubleshoot and maintain production equipment
- Convert file formats as required and create OCR PDFs
Print Production Associate
Forrest Solutions - Ice Miller LLP
March 203 - May 2024
- Workplace experience (Hospitality)
- Administrative work - (i.e., ordering supplies, troubleshooting printers, completing monthly reports, etc.)
- Build legal binders and coil books for court
- Train others on printing, shipping, and printer issues
Print Production Operator
Forrest Solutions - Jones Lang LaSalle
July 2022 - February 2023
-Workplace experience (Hospitality)
-Administrative work
-Worked on custom design requests for clients and in-house needs
-Created templates using InDesign for back-end of Print-shop Online
-Successfully completed training courses
Print Production Manager/Graphic Designer
The UPS Store - 1053
January 2019 - July 2022
- Design/prep print-ready files for printing
- Managed supplies and maintained print equipment
- Key liaison - troubleshoot and repair equipment as necessary
- Processed packages for shipping via UPS
2010 - present
2010 - present
Adminstrative and Design Coordinator
Illinois Safe Schools Alliance
November 2015 - Novemeber 2017
- Manage Facebook/Twitter/Etapestry/Drupal account
- Processed all mailings to constituents.
- Manage inventory and ordered supplies and equipment
- Point of contact for vendors for printing, supplies, and maintenance
- Design printed marketing material
- Upheld the brand identity
CRT
Tony's Finer Foods – Chicago, IL
July 2014 - November 2016
- Manage the sales and price changes that occur every week
- Establish and maintain professional relationships with my co-workers in order to effectively handle price changes and sales for each department
- Effectively communicate with different vendors in order to prepare any signage for their products
Communication Intern
Illinois Safe Schools Alliance
January 2015 - June 2015
- Managed the Facebook and twitter page
- Dabbled a little with Drupal and Etapestry accounts
- Created some Graphic Design materials for events and social media sites
- Looked for articles on education in LGBTQ community in IL mostly, and around the states.
Graphic Design Intern
Computer Training Institute of Chicago
October 2014 - November 2014
- Assist with creating marketing materials for a variety of projects for CTIC.
- Establish and maintain professional relationships with my co-workers to effectively create and prepare any signage for their events and social media sites
Baker
Tony's Finer Foods - Chicago, IL
July 2013 - June 2014
- Morning shift requires baking bread, cookies, muffins, etc.
- Packaged fresh baked items for the shelfs
- Night shift requires maintaining the shelfs with bread for the consumers
- Taking cake orders as well as prepping for the morning shift
- Cleaned up the bakery at the end of the day
- Worked independently
Cartoonist and Layout Designer
Millikin University – Decaturian Newspaper – Decatur, IL
February 2011 - May 2012
- Utilized Adobe programs to edit and create the layouts and cartoons for the newspaper
- Established and maintained an effective, professional relationship with other editors and cartoonist
Publicity Chair
Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc., Iota Delta Chapter
October 2010 - May 2012
- Utilized Adobe programs edit and create flyers, brochures, business cards, event promotions, etc
- Experimented with, and successfully took control of each design and pushed them to higher limits
- Cultivated an understanding of how each design is used when trying to attract a specific audience
Publicity and Marketing Intern
Center for Multicultural Student Affairs - Decatur, IL
October 2011 - May 2012
- Utilized Photoshop and Illustrator to edit and create flyers, brochures, table tents, etc.
- Experimented with and successfully took control of each design as well as the marketing
aspects of this internship
- Cultivated an understanding of how each design as well as social media, is used when gaining audience
Graphic Designer
Pana Sports Marketing - Pana, IL
November 2010 - February 2011
- Utilized Adobe Suite Products to create sport themed t-shirt designs
- Used experimental creativity to create new designs to maximize sales and help customer retention
- Gained an understanding of how each design is used when going thought the screening process
Sales Advisor
Alphabetables - Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
June 2010 - August 2010
- Sold Chicago made pillows to Navy Pier visitors
- Each pillow came with a tag that promoted the pillow inserts who were made by Developmentally
Disabled individuals in Chicago
- Positively engage Navy Pier visitors to promote and increase sales of Chicago Made Pillows.
Sales Advisor
Costco - Club Distribution Services - Chicago, IL
October 2007 - January 2010
- Acquired basic cooking skills and food knowledge in regards to preparing and giving cooking and
recipe ideas to club store members.
- Positively engage members to promote and increase sales of product.
Education
DePaul University - College of Law
MLS - Master of Legal Studies
2025 - Present
Full Sail University
M.F.A. Media Design
2020-2021
Millikin University
B.A. Graphic Design
2008 - 2012
Noble Street College Prep H.S.
General Education
2004 - 2008
Skills
Adobe Creative Suite
Microsoft Office
Google Applications
Social Media Admin
Time Management,
Project Supervision
CopyWriting
Website Oversight
Intermediate Level - Spanish
Creation of Print Ready Files
Zoom Administrator
Canva
Apple & PC Trained
Hospitality