Welcome!

I’m a Production Artist and Graphic Designer with over two decades of experience. I create flawless, actionable deliverables from creative outlines and large data sets by careful consideration of a project’s scope. I’ve produced a wide range of deliverables, from catalogs, brochures, and direct mail pieces; point-of-sale, billboards, and packaging; and presentations and websites.

My goal is to build a solid infrastructure to support the branding and objectives of a company to amplify a strong, dynamic relationship with their customers.

I’m serious about my responsibilities, but have a great attitude. I can take a project and run with it, while collaborating with a team and client towards a successful outcome.

Thanks for visiting, and I hope to hear from you soon!
(708) 691-4957
[email protected]
www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-clissold
Skills
  • Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)   
  • ​Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
  • Google Productivity Suite 
  • Database management
  • Font Management
  • Triple Triangle  
  • QuarkXpress
  • FileMaker    
  • Kodak Prinergy / InSite    
  • Proofreading
  • Copy editing
  • Network administration
  • Obsession to detail

Work history

Omnicom Production (formerly FCB Chicago)  Chicago, IL
Senior Production Designer
July, 2024–Present
Shortly after transitioning from freelance to full-time at FCB Chicago, FCB's parent company (IPG) was acquired by Omnicom. I now serve in the same capacity as before, but with a broader and still-growing roster of accounts, including Boeing, the United States Postal Service, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Working through the Central office of Omnicom Production, I'm bringing my standards of print production excellence to the full North American network of Omnicom agencies and clients.
  • I was the lead production designer on a 160-page book, which came in on-time and under-budget.
  • I elevate the caliber of the studio's work (in the words of my senior producer) by careful application of brand standards and quality control.
  • I mentor junior-level creatives on efficient and effective layout building.
  • I work collaboratively with agency and studio producers on digital and print deliverables.

Sterling Silver Creative  Chicago, IL
Senior Production Artist / Print Production Manager
February, 2018–December, 2023
  • Developed tools in Excel to track the creation and progress of 31 unique flyer and catalog versions.
  • Directed our list provider to target financial service seminar mailings to 14,000 prospects in three markets.
  • Played an active role directing press color for a run of 10.5 million flyers and 300,000 catalogs.
  • Produced and versioned InDesign and Illustrator layouts for mailing to 8.8 million customers and prospects.
  • Delivered flawless PDF/X-1a printer files for 82 retail stores across the US.
  • Implemented production processes that reduced proofreading time by half.

Camping World  Lincolnshire, IL
Graphic Designer
May, 2019–March, 2020
  • Collaborated with art and marketing directors to produce on-brand InDesign and Photoshop sales materials.
  • Worked with department reps to create sell sheets, in-store signage, e-mail campaigns, and multi-page circulars with one-day and one-week turnarounds.
  • Using embedded files and master pages, streamlined InDesign production while reducing errors, cutting page production time by one-third.

Hogarth Worldwide at Apple Cupertino, CA
Freelance Mechanical Artist
August–September, 2018
  • A member of a select team tasked with facilitating the automation of versioning Illustrator and Photoshop layouts for global distribution via Excel database merges.
  • Teamed with on-site copywriters, designers, and retouchers from around the world.
  • One of four contractors singled out for this role from a pool of 75

Prodigious Worldwide at Leo Burnett Chicago, IL
Freelance Production Designer
April–May, 2018
  • Created keylines for Illustrator and InDesign point-of-purchase displays, direct-mail pieces, and periodical advertisements.
  • Built digital mechanicals using Illustrator and Triple Triangle for direct mail marketing.
  • Proofed and quality-checked final materials to meet production and legal requirements.  
    ​
​Core 3 Creative  Chicago, IL
Catalog Production Manager
1995–2018
  • Created efficiencies in the construction of variable data projects using InDesign and Excel.
  • Established templates to enable fast and accurate catalog page construction.
  • Automated creation of page design files.
  • Worked with project manager to problem-solve complicated one-, four- and five-color production processes.

Accounts
  • Boeing
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • USPS    
  • Pfizer
  • Cox Communications
  • Diners Club International
  • Brown Forman (Jack Daniel's)
  • Barilla Group
  • National Geographic  
  • Apple 
  • Phantom Fireworks   
  • Altria
  • Camping World
  • Gander Outdoors
  • Good Sam Events
  • Petalura
  • National Luggage Dealer Association (NLDA)
  • Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello    
  • Lou Malnati’s Tastes of Chicago 
  • The Good Toy Group    
  • Lobster Gram
  • Hamakor Judaica    
  • Chiasso
  • The Republic of Tea    
  • R.S. Owens
  • At Home America

Education
BA, Graphic Design
Michigan State University

AnzoGraphics  Chicago, IL
Production Manager
  • Directed a team of film and proofing operators.
  • Strategized job assignments.
  • Analyzed complex files to troubleshoot and achieve successful completion.
  • Final arbiter of quality standards.