Linda Shepard
Art Director
My philosophy
We should always look for opportunities to pass on knowledge, just as we were helped by those who came before. People thrive in an enviornment of exploration, curiosity and learning. Creatives often are put into situations where they feel as if they're competing with colleagues. Sometimes everyone is given the same assignment, and the client chooses their favorite. In these kinds of scenarios, I gather everyone to review and help strenghten one another's concepts, so everyone contributes to the chosen option. The mission suffers when people hold back for fear of being replaced, failure, or thinking everyone else is keeping score.
A proven history of remote work
I established Shepard Art Studio LLC in 2008, backed by over 30 years of industry experience in diverse media. The business is an ODOT (Ohio) and MDOT (Maryland) DBE specializing in non-profit and governmental clients. I've always worked my LLC from a home office with remote partners including clients, vendors, and freelancers. Of course, I travel for face time and/or presentations when needed.
My career before Shepard Art Studio
I began my career at a large commercial print shop in Charleston SC. From there, I managed a staff of three in an in-house print, marketing, and retail service center for the Columbus Board of Realtors. I was an Art Director At OCLC, Online Computer Library Center, a large, international library cooperative where I learned to create effective communications in the governmental and non-profit space. In 2004, I joined Nationwide Financial, a fortune 100 company, and became a Creative Director with a staff of a photographer, an intern, writers, and designers.
Portfolio
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Children's Hunger Alliance Annual Report
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MSRP magazine
Retention, enhancing education, and eliminating waste are key drivers for MSRP Magazine. Employer-sponsored plans do a really good job helping people set money aside for retirement. They aren’t so great at keeping members after they retire. Our magazine seeks to strengthen relationships between MSRP and our members, as well as relationships between members themselves, to create a unique community of savers. The magazine is published twice a year beginning in the year 2021 and continuing to this day. In 2022 MSRP experienced 7% drop in withdrawals, 6% increase in online enrollment, 5% increase in contribution increases. Download a copy of the magazine
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Race to 100k increase campaign
This NAGDCA award winning campaign provided plan members with specific information at key points during their career. Timing is a critical component of financial planning and knowing the “whens” and “how much” should be more specific than “whatever you can, all the time.” Compounding begins to have the potential to outpace contributions somewhere around the $100k milestone. It’s important to balance prioritizing saving without making financial security seem out of reach.
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MSRP Savings Expo
MSRP collaborated with Maryland Tourism to present “Desination Maryland: Great things to see and do in Maryland while preparing for the future.” Nearly 600 people attended each event. We provided supporting materials that include: a 16-page program booklet, 24x36" posters, formatted emails, video, on-site signage as well as the NAGDCA award-winning “MSRP expo” app on Google Play or the App Store.
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Suite of participant education materials
In 2017, MSRP recieved a first place Pensions & Investments Eddy award for their suite of participant education materials. Judges commented on the consistent look across materials with engaging Maryland photography. Download a PDF copy of the Basics booklet. Download a PDF copy of the Spectrum of Investment Options.
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MSRP Benefit Coordinator Kit
MSRP has a a whole lot of printed material, so we created a gusseted pocket folder with a velcro enclosure containing things needed for new hires — all in one place. These kits shipped with branded swag. The campaign won a NAGDCA award for effective communication.
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Savings Plus Enrollment Guide
The enrollment guide is a 12-page booklet containing information about how deferred compensation works. Download a PDF copy of the guide.
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Savings Plus Investor Guide
The enrollment guide is a 12-page booklet containing worksheets to help select investment options. Download a PDF copy of the guide.
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Savings Plus Newsletter
A six-page newsletter is inserted into participants' quarterly statements. Download a PDF copy of a newsletter.
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Kentucky Get Healthy campaign
Kentucky Deferred Comp partnered with the Kentucky Personell Cabinet for a wellness campaign. This sample poster is able to be personalized online with meet-up and contact information.
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MARTA transition brochure
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IAFF banner stand
A retractable vinyl banner stand that sits on the floor on an aluminum base
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Trinity Lutheran Church
A couple of pieces designed for my church.
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OCLC ContentDM bonus extra
This is a bonus video for OCLC's ContentDM service. An online archival media repositories for special collections in libraries around the world.
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OCLC ContentDM demo
This is video features archival media from special collections in libraries around the world housed and shared in ContentDM, a platform provided by OCLC Online Computer Library Center. The video was intended to be used by sales representatives making in-person site visits to libraries who haven't yet heard about the service.
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OCLC WorldCat Story
This video's sole purpose is to demonstrate my video capabilities. It contains imnages of copyrighted materials that can be found in the OCLC WordCat database. It was created in Adobe AfterEffects with Video Copilot plug-ins.
My Approach
Sample Project Life-cycles
Revisions to existing print pieces or existing web pages have a simplified project lifecycle compared to communications or campaigns that are brand new. Similarly, once a rhythm is established between client and designer, project lifecycles tend to be more streamlined and less formal.
Sample print life-cycle
- Goals
- Audience/quantity
- Budget
- Due date
- Requirements
- Preferences
- Get print quotes if needed
- Initiate project and supply written content in project management website
- First draft for review within 1 week
- Multiple design options when appropriate
- Revisions within 1-5 days depending on complexity/availability
- Plan for 6 weeks
*The most unpredictable step. Generally, the more reviewers, the longer the cycle.
- Email client approval
- Purchase final photos or artwork if needed
- Package and transfer art to printer
- Plan for 1 week
- Receive printer’s proof within 2 days
- Client signs-off on proof
- 1 week production after proof approval for most print jobs
- Mailings require extra time
- Plan for 3 weeks
- Send samples to designer and client for quality control.
- This helps the designer see how the design looks in real life.
- Source files archived in project management system where client can download.
Sample web life-cycle (re-design or micro-site)
- Initiate project in project management website
- File scope/requirements document: platform, content management etc.
- Identify team
- Budget
- Due date
- Preferences
- Plan for 3 weeks
- Wireframe navigation diagrams
- Suggested technology/development platform
- Plan for 2 weeks
- Non-functional mock-up designs
- Once approved, coding on a development server can begin
- Purchase any resources needed (i.e. licenses, artwork, photography)
- Plan for 4 weeks
- Review and revise working pages on a web development site
- Check responsiveness and make adjustments
- Add comments and fixes through online project management system
- Plan for 6 weeks
- Launch site or portions of the site to your URL
- Train your staff to add/edit content on website if desired
Sample web lifecycle (edit content on existing site)
- Add task to online project management website
- Changes made to existing content
- Notify client that changes are ready for review
- Plan for 1 week
- For new content or pages, links or pages are activated on live website after approval
- Text edits are active on the live site immediately after coding