
Hello, nice to meet you!
I'm Heather Van Helmick.
I’m a hands-on creative with 10+ years of experience in digital, print, motion, and interactive work. I love building smart, consistent design systems and crafting visual stories that connect. I’ve led small teams, shipped national campaigns, and collaborated across departments to get great work out the door.
Professional Experience
2018—PRESENT
GEICO IN WASHINGTON, DC
ART DIRECTOR & DESIGN LEAD
2024–PRESENT
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Manage/mentor a team of 4 designers working across digital, print & motion
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Built scalable design systems used by over 100 internal and agency partners
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Collaborate with stakeholders to turn briefs into clear, compelling creative
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Streamlined team workflow and cut production timelines by 25%
LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER
2022–2024
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Directed campaign creative for 40+ initiatives annually across digital channels
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Contributed to a campaign that increased engagement by 30%
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Delivered 150+ assets per quarter while ensuring brand consistency
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Helped shape evolving brand guidelines and shared best practices with team
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
2022–2024
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Designed 300+ assets annually, including signage, digital display & direct mail
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Introduced new internal review systems, reducing revision rounds by 50%
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Partnered with writers, marketing & UX teams to create cohesive campaigns
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Managed timelines & budgets while balancing creative vision & business needs
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
2018–2020
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Created digital and print assets for 10+ national campaigns annually
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Used testing and user data to improve design effectiveness by 15%
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Developed asset libraries that supported audience targeting & personalization
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Presented concepts clearly & collaborated across marketing & product teams
WHOLE FOODS MARKET IN BALTIMORE, MD
STORE GRAPHIC ARTIST & SIGNMAKER
2016–2018
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Created digital and print assets for 10+ national campaigns annually
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Used testing and user data to improve design effectiveness by 15%
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Developed asset libraries that supported audience targeting & personalization
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Presented concepts clearly & collaborated across marketing & product teams
2016–2018
Education
2016–2018
Graphic Communications
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GLOBAL CAMPUS
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
2012–2016
Graphic Design
ANNE ARUNDEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Skills
ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE
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Photoshop
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Illustrator
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InDesign
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After Effects
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Premiere Pro
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XD
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Acrobat
MISCELLANEOUS
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HTML/CSS
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UI/UX
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Storyboarding
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Brand Systems
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Motion Design
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Interactive Design
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Illustration
DESIGN SOFTWARE
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Figma
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Brandgility
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Celtra
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Google Web Designer
OTHER
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OBIE Hall of Fame Award
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School of Motion Animation Bootcamp
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Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society


