Karen Hodo

Art Direction | Strategy | Design

WORK

Graphic Designer

howard brown health
2021 – 2024

  • Maintain and reinforce the integrity of the Howard Brown Health brand by ensuring that logo, branding, and voice are used appropriately by staff and by external stakeholders who are given permission to use the HBH brand.

  • Create and maintain internal and external design projects through conceptualization and execution, supporting all departments in developing external communications, including social and digital media, printed materials, publications, and marketing collateral, that are consistent with the HBH brand.

  • Coordinate with internal and external clients, stakeholders, and vendor services, including printers for design and print collateral, as needed.

  • Take in creative direction and feedback in a timely manner to provide design direction and print deliverables on time and on budget.

design strategist

One for one chicago
2018 – 2019

  • Create, present, and implement the team digital branding proposal for One for One Chicago with conviction and confidence.

  • Understand how to appeal to diverse cultural markets while digitizing new branding elements that promote One for One's unique horticulture programming for at-risk youth.

  • Conduct problem-solving exercises including leading brainstorming sessions, interviews, and application design reviews

  • Collaborate closely with teammates and nonprofit representatives to ensure UI communicates the appropriate interactions

Contract art director

hyde park chamber of commerce
2016 – 2020

  • Lead the artistic strategy and branding direction of the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce while remaining a source of positivity, inspiration, and creativity.

  • Gather information and research about Hyde Park and its businesses to make creative and design decisions that align with the Chamber's goals.

  • Provide design direction and print deliverables to the Chamber events and advertising.

  • Introduce a comprehensive digital strategy for the Chamber’s brand, including multiple digital newsletter campaigns.

skills

DESIGN SOFTWARE

Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, InVision, Figma

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Microsoft Suite, Trello, Asana, Monday.com, Agile Methodology

WEB DEVELOPMENT

HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, WordPress, Squarespace