Question 1

Full-Time Employment

Accepted Answer

St. Francis Episcopal School
Webmaster - Part-Time
August 2017 - Present | Houston, Texas, United States 
 
As a member of the senior staff under the Head of Technology, I provide onsite support for all divisions and departments of the school in regards to the website. My responsibilities include but are not limited to maintaining public content with photos, copywriting, videos, and interactive community activities. I create and apply digital marketing strategies that align with the Marketing Department and facilitate social growth and engagement within the community.
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St. Francis Episcopal School
Technology and Communications Specialist
November 2016 - September 2017 | Houston, Texas, United States 
 
As a member of the senior staff under the Head of Technology, I managed the communication of innovative learning solutions within the school’s learning management system (LMS). My primary responsibility was to train the community in the effective use of student’s digital portfolios to align with the St. Francis portrait of a graduate vision and to support the Advancement, Business, and Marketing offices with the school’s use of its information systems and digital forms.
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St. Francis Episcopal School
Middle School Technology Content Chair and Yearbook Advisor
March 2011 - June 2014 | Houston, Texas, United States 
Melissa took the position in the beginning of March, facing the challenge of finishing a 232 yearbook that only had 48 pages published. She quickly organized the eighth-grade class and took charge to get all of the recognition ads completed by parents to reach an April 1 deadline while also teaching technology to grades 5-7. The curriculum of these classes included work in the most recent versions of the Microsoft Office Suite, the Adobe Design Suite, iLife, Web 2.0 tools, video creation, edits and much more.
 
She accepted the position of the Middle School Technology Chair just six months after joining St. Francis and spearheaded flipped classroom projects and further integration of technology into the 21st-century classroom.
 
She worked closely with the Marketing & Communications Department throughout the school year and during the summer to update the school's website and handle other pressing projects. She also helped adjust print materials within the Adobe CS6 Suite.
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Garb, Inc
Senior Graphic Designer
February 2008 - January 2011 | Denver, Colorado, United States
 
• Senior graphic designer for the industry leader in children’s sportswear. Create artwork exclusively for the USGA, USTA, PGA, LPGA, NASCAR, and professional teams such as the Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets. Designed presentation layouts that resulted in contracts with Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Nordstrom, and Ping. Oversee graphics and licensing of 150+ schools for the collegiate pre-book program.
• Develop seasonal catalog concept. Redesigned layout format to be more customer-friendly and worked directly with regional sales reps to improve flow of information. Oversee model photo shoots and manage digital photography library.  
• Responsible for website management and online networking. Developed successful online retail sales as a result of increased SEO and traffic from HTML email blasts and blogging. 
• Gained intimate knowledge of the process of screen-print and the many techniques involved in conception and production of marketable designs.  
• Responsible for the reorganization of the screen-print department. Digitized the order to remittance process resulting in a minimum 25% daily productivity savings to the graphic design department while increasing productivity reducing the potential for escaping defects in the ordering process during the hand-off between departments.
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Colorado Wholesale Group
Graphic Designer
July 2007 - February 2008 | Denver, Colorado, United States
 
Colorado Wholesale Group is an innovative plastics company, and while there, Melissa developed brand identity, packaging and marketing materials for a new line of window tint. She established print vendor relations and managed the production of marketing materials. Ms. Zier created a graphic standard for pad printing on innovative plastic golf tees and implemented a marketing strategy for golf tees that led to an online retail sales account with Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Question 2

Contract | Freelance Experience

Accepted Answer

BusyMo Media & Design
Creative Professional
October 2005 - Present | Denver, Colorado - Houston, Texas - Singapore

Melissa has consistently managed projects for many freelance clients in addition to maintaining full-time positions at other companies. Her recent move has granted her the opportunity to follow her dream of doing more contract and freelance work.

Melissa handles a large variety of needs for her clients, who are in many different industries. These services include but are not limited to graphic design, website maintenance, trade show graphics, stadium graphics, publication design, and marketing via direct mail, HTML email campaigns, and social networking. 
 
Below are several clients Ms. Zier has worked with. 
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Zavala Texas Law
Freelance Web and Graphic Designer
March 2016 - Present | Houston, Texas, United States
 
Melissa established an online presence for Zavala Texas Law by creating a logo and branding that was applied to the development of an optimized and responsive WordPress website. Ms. Zier consulted with Mr. Zavala regarding the best practices for implementing a social media campaign that utilized LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook to increase website traffic and aid in his SEO goals.  
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Watford City Municipal Airport
Freelance Graphic Designer
October 2015 - Present | Watford City, North Dakota, United States
 
Melissa was sought out by Watford City Municipal Airport to generate a logo, website and branding to be implemented prior to the grand opening of new terminal building. She created advanced online presence by utilizing Google My Business and Facebook to advertise events and a social media campaign to involve community.
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Tranquil Salon & Spa Suites
Freelance Web and Graphic Designer
April 2015 - Present | Houston, Texas, United States
 
Melissa collaborated with owner of Tranquil Salon and Spa Suites to develop a logo, branding and a cohesive print and online marketing plan that targeted her key demographic and resulted in suite rental conversions. Ms. Zier implemented Google Analytics, Google My Business and Google Search Console to improve SEO tracking and conversions as a result of an optimized website and strategic social media marketing plan that included campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google, and Yelp.
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Krell Dentistry
Freelance Graphic Designer
May 2012 - Present | Houston, Texas, United States
 
Ms. Zier developed a logo, which was applied to the layouts of a business card, stationery, print ad, signage and promotional items that were given to patients.
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INCA Refining
Freelance Graphic Designer
December 2011 - Present | Houston, Texas, United States
 
Melissa developed map property line graphics for an oil refining company that resulted in a "David and Goliath" win in a lawsuit against Union Pacific Railroad.
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McKenzie Energy Partners
Freelance Web and Graphic Designer
January 2016 - April 2016 | Watford City, North Dakota, United States
Melissa developed a new logo for McKenzie Energy Partners based on geographical boundaries of their service and implemented new design in branding carried throughout a website redesign resulting in better UI, SEO and responsiveness. She established accounts for Google Analytics, Google My Business, and Google Search Console to aid in the tracking of, which was not possible with original website.
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Continent Project Technologies, Pte. Ltd
Freelance Web and Graphic Designer
July 2015 - February 2016 | Singapore, Southeast Asia
Melissa strengthened Continental Project Technologies’ online presence with the creation of a WordPress website with updated branding, images, and enhanced meta descriptions and title tags. Established accounts for Google Analytics, Google My Business, and Google Search Console to aid in the tracking of conversions three months prior to implementing new page. Show >500% increase in traffic on all pages to date.
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A Finishing Touch
Freelance Apparel Graphic Designer
January 2015 - June 2016 | Houston, Texas, United States
 
Ms. Zier was recruited by the president of A Finishing Touch to conceptualize and design custom, licensed Peanuts® and National American Miss™ pageant apparel graphics for application on hair bows, hair bands and t-shirts. Contracted to develop new apparel graphic offerings for sale in national airports, zoos, and aquariums.   
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Rise Broadband (Formerly Skybeam High-Speed Internet & Digital Phone Services)
Freelance Graphic Designer
April 2010 - July 2015 | Loveland, Colorado, United States
 
Melissa was contracted to conceptualize and create direct mail marketing campaigns. She provided the design for SKYBEAM’s best response rated direct mail piece to date. Due to this success, she was given projects for several of SKYBEAM's sister companies including T-6, Rhino, Prairie iNet, and JAB Wireless.
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Dare Boutique
Freelance Graphic Designer
August 2009 - August 2016 | Evergreen, Colorado, United States
 
Melissa was contracted to create and maintain the brand identity of a high-end women’s clothing boutique. Collaborated with owner to develop effective logo, website layout, e-vites and HTML email blasts to enhance brand exposure in a challenging economic climate.
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Garb, Inc
Freelance Graphic Designer & Creative Consultant
January 2011 - August 2011 | Denver, Colorado, United States
 
Melissa was the Senior Graphic Designer for the industry leader in children’s sportswear from February 2008 until January 2011 when she moved to Houston. She was then contracted to help during this transition to new leadership and played a key role in maintaining consistent print production for the screenprint department. Please see the "Full-Time Employment" drop-down menu for more information on her responsibilities while employed with Garb, Inc.
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Artful Journey Schools
Fine Art Teacher
October 2008 - February 2011 | Greenwood Village, Colorado, United States
 
Mrs. Zier taught K-8 children art theory through projects in varying mediums. She was responsible for lesson plans, classroom management, and behavior reinforcement. This opportunity provided her a new perspective on professional projects. She states that, "the kids were great and I found that I had just as much to learn as I did teach!"
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Purple Sage Design
Intern / Freelance Designer
January 2007 - May 2007 | Denver, Colorado, United States
 
Melissa was hired as an intern in January of 2007 and became a contracted designer in late March. She developed cost-effective corporate identity, logos, invitations, brochures, flash websites, front-end web design and copywriting for numerous businesses in the Denver-Metro area. Mrs. Zier played a key role in developing the agency’s branding & marketing strategy and designed several new self-promotion pieces while handling select client presentations.
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Moss Printing & Packaging
Freelance Designer, Print Production Specialist & Customer Service Associate
January 2005 - December 2005 | Denver, Colorado, United States
 
Provided customer service support, project management and production assistance. Operated electric binding, folding, cutting and drilling equipment. Packed and shipped domestically and internationally through Fedex, UPS, DHL and USPS.

Question 3

Education

Accepted Answer

The Art Institute Of Colorado
Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
Denver, Colorado, United States
3.8 GPA

Question 4

Professional Skills

Accepted Answer

Advertising
Art and Creative Direction
Brand Development
Copywriting and Editing
Corporate Identity
Event Planning
Graphic Design
Licensing
Marketing Strategy
Marketing Materials
Package Design
Pre-Press Production
Project Management
Publication Design
Screen Print Separations
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Social Media Marketing
Stadium Graphics
Storyboarding
Tradeshow Design
Web Design and Maintenance
Video Conferencing (Skype, etc.)
Video Production

Question 5

Technology & Softwares

Accepted Answer

Adobe CS6 Suite (Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
AtomicLearning.com
ConstantContact.com
Dropbox
Finalsite Web Editing Platform
Google (AdWords, Analytics, Drive, My Business, Search Console, Tag Manager)
iLife (iMovie, Garageband, PhotoBooth)
Learning.com
Mac OS X
Magento Admin Panel
Magnus Healthcare
Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
Microsoft One Drive
QuickTime Video Recording
Schoolcast Broadcast Software
Senior Systems Database
Twitter.com
Vimeo.com
Windows
Wix.com
WordPress.com
YouTube.com

Question 6

Recognition | Awards | Publications

Accepted Answer

Published in Colorful Colorado Weddings Blog
Unique Wedding Venue and Design
November 2015
 
Melissa was honored to be published in the Colorful Colorado Weddings blog. She designed the remember the date magnets, wedding invitations, rsvp cards, envelopes, cake table signs, and website for her own wedding. Mrs. Zier also managed the set up and execution of the live-streaming of the event in addition to creating the video slideshow for the rehearsal dinner. To view the work for this project, please visit http://www.be.net/melissadzier and select the Wedding Print Design and Wedding Media folders.

Read Colorful Colorado Weddings blog. 
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Yelp Elite Review of the Day
Singapore, Southeast Asia
 
June 2016
August 2015
June 2015
March 2015
November 2014
October 2014
August 2014
 
Rather than applying for a Yelp Elite position, Melissa was recruited by the Yelp community manager to join as an elite member due to the quality and volume of reviews she posted during her time in Singapore.  
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Sarah W. Woolrich Fund For Faculty
St. Francis Episcopal School
March 2014
 
In 2013, Head of School Susan B. Lair, PhD, challenged the St. Francis community to find ways to empower students to venture out into the world and truly be people for others. As a result, the Children Actively Remaking Economic Situations (CARES) initiative was born. As a springboard step in the development of this anti-poverty program, two members visited Rio de Janeiro on a scouting trip to create connections and address the logistical concerns of future aid efforts to the impoverished segments of this South American city. Back at home, Melissa worked with students and faculty in all divisions to integrate education on the causes of local and global poverty and implemented social outreach to help alleviate the issue. Ms. Zier connected St. Francis students with students in India, Australia, China and Brazil via Skype and collaborated with faculty to weave global poverty education into curriculum and extra curricular activities.

Read more>>>
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Lead to Feed World Hunger Leadership Challenge
St. Francis Episcopal School
March 2014
 
Ms. Zier collaborated with faculty and students to integrate poverty and nutrition education into curriculum using the Adobe Creative Suite and iMovie in support of the YUM! Brands Foundation Lead2Feed World Hunger Leadership Challenge, which resulted in a grand-prize $25,000 contribution to hunger relief in 2013 and runner-up $5,000 contribution in 2014.
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TheJournal.com
From Twitter to Edmodo: Schools Collaborate With Social Media
February 2013
 
Melissa was contacted by David Raths, a Philadelphia-based freelance writer focused on information technology, to be interviewed for an article based on my experience integrating technology into the classroom. Raths writes regularly for several IT publications, including Healthcare Informatics and Government Technology.

Read more>>>
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Interscholastic League Press Conference
Award of Honor
St. Francis Episcopal School—The Howler
2012–2014 
 
Read more>>>
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Columbia Scholastic Press Association
Yearbook Gold Circle Index Award
St. Francis Episcopal School—The Howler
2012–2013
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Balfour Junior High Yearbook Workshop
First Place Grand Prize in Theme Development
St. Francis Episcopal School—The Howler
2014
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Balfour Junior High Yearbook Workshop
Certificate of Excellence in Color and Font Selection
St. Francis Episcopal Day School—The Howler
2013
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Balfour Junior High Yearbook Workshop
Presenter: How to Effectively Use QR Codes in Your Publication
St. Francis Episcopal Day School—The Howler
2012
 
Featured presenter at the 2013 Balfour Junior High Yearbook Camp on QR codes and their many uses in publication design. Covered video uses, creation, QR code management tools and linking.
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Art Directors Club Of Denver
Student Show Best in Category—Crayola Ad Campaign
2007
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The Art Institute Of Colorado
Runner Up at Graduation Portfolio Review
2007
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Celestial Seasonings
Package and Promotion Design Winner
2006
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The Art Institute Of Colorado
Merit Scholarship
2004-2007
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Toyota
Honorable mention in Toyota Scholarship Competition
2004

Question 7

Pro Bono Projects | Skills-Based Volunteering

Accepted Answer

McKenzie County Community Coalition
Watford City, North Dakota
December 2017
Donated 25 hours to design a campaign poster to promote ID scanner use to reduce and eventually eliminate underage drinking.
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Citizens for Animal Protection
Houston, Texas 
May 2017
Donated 40 hours to design an invitation, RSVP card, envelope and poster to promote a fundraising gala.
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Blessing in a Backpack
Houston, Texas
March 2017
Donated 20 hours to revise and edit a promotional video for use during a fundraising event.
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World Missions Possible
Houston, Texas
February 2015 to Present
Dedicated 100+ hours to redesigning non-profit organization’s website to be mobile responsive and more user-friendly. Continue to maintain updates to their website and make social media posts as needed.
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St. Francis Episcopal School
Houston, Texas
March 2011 to 2014
Founding member of St. Francis CARES (Children Actively Remaking Economic Situations). Established in spring 2013, the student-driven St. Francis C.A.R.E.S. (Children Actively Remaking Economic Situations) program is making a difference by tackling the global challenge of poverty. The Middle School students who participate in the program are people for others who are inspired by the St. Francis cornerstones of faith, scholarship, courage, and honor.
In an effort to reduce poverty, members of the St. Francis C.A.R.E.S. program volunteer for numerous outreach efforts in addition to creating their own. The program also supports charitable organizations that feed and clothe people in need across the globe.
The St. Francis C.A.R.E.S. program needs your help in two ways. First, as we establish relationships with organizations that work to reduce poverty, we appreciate any information from our community about local or international organizations that need our support. Second, we need financial donations that will enable us to support the programs that most help families in need. If you'd like to become a donor, please contact us.
E-mail: sfcares@sfedstechnology.org
Phone: 713.458.6464
Mail:
St. Francis Episcopal Day School
Attn: C.A.R.E.S. Program
335 Piney Point Road
Houston, Texas 77024

Question 8

Professional Development

Accepted Answer

• Balfour Junior High Yearbook Camp (2011-2014)
• Balfour Yearbook Adviser’s Spring Forum (2011-2014)
• CPR Certified (2011-2014)
• Finalsite U (2011-2013, 2017)
• Safeguarding God’s Children (2011-2013, 2017)
• Texas Computer Education Association (2012-2014)

Professional Experience