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DESIGNER + ILLUSTRATOR + ART DIRECTOR

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

 

  • Manage/mentor a team of 4 designers working across digital, print & motion

  • Built scalable design systems used by over 100 internal and agency partners

  • Collaborate with stakeholders to turn briefs into clear, compelling creative

  • Streamlined team workflow and cut production timelines by 25%

LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER
2022–2024

  • Directed campaign creative for 40+ initiatives annually across digital channels

  • Contributed to a campaign that increased engagement by 30%

  • Delivered 150+ assets per quarter while ensuring brand consistency

  • Helped shape evolving brand guidelines and shared best practices with team

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

2022–2024
 

  • Designed 300+ assets annually, including signage, digital display & direct mail

  • Introduced new internal review systems, reducing revision rounds by 50%

  • Partnered with writers, marketing & UX teams to create cohesive campaigns

  • Managed timelines & budgets while balancing creative vision & business needs

 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

2018–2020

  • Created digital and print assets for 10+ national campaigns annually

  • Used testing and user data to improve design effectiveness by 15%

  • Developed asset libraries that supported audience targeting & personalization

  • Presented concepts clearly & collaborated across marketing & product teams

 

WHOLE FOODS MARKET IN BALTIMORE, MD

STORE GRAPHIC ARTIST & SIGNMAKER
2016–2018

  • Created digital and print assets for 10+ national campaigns annually

  • Used testing and user data to improve design effectiveness by 15%

  • Developed asset libraries that supported audience targeting & personalization

  • 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
  • Photoshop

  • Illustrator

  • InDesign

  • After Effects

  • Premiere Pro

  • XD

  • Acrobat

MISCELLANEOUS
  • HTML/CSS

  • UI/UX

  • Storyboarding

  • Brand Systems

  • Motion Design

  • Interactive Design 

  • Illustration

DESIGN SOFTWARE
  • Figma

  • Brandgility

  • Celtra

  • Google Web Designer

OTHER
  • OBIE Hall of Fame Award

  • School of Motion Animation Bootcamp

  • Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society

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