APRIL (BEFORT) NEUMANN ][ MULTIMEDIA VISUAL ARTIST, NONPROFIT GURU, DESIGN EXPERT

B.A. UMKC, FHSU, PARK U. | A.A. KCKCC (PHI THETA KAPPA)

SENIOR MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER
Great Jobs KC 04.24 – 03.26

BRAND GARDENER | PRINT MAESTRO | SOCIAL MEDIA SCIENTIST | CHEF OF WEB

• Led design of campaigns promoting tuition-free job training and scholarships across Kansas City.
• Created print and digital materials including reports, social graphics, videos, presentations, webpages, email campaigns, signage and merchandise.
• Designed infographics and data visualizations for impact reports and donor communications.
• Contributed to website rebrand and UX improvements in WordPress Elementor, increasing engagement by 7-10%.
• Built templates and brand systems used across departments.
• Produced video and social content using Premiere Pro and After Effects, increasing engagement and leads by 10%.
• Ensured ADA accessibility standards across print and digital materials.

production director
DMH Advertising 04.23 – 11.23

CONDUCTOR OF LOGISTICS | GRAPHIC FIRST-RESPONDER | CLIENT UPLIFTER | LOOT NEGOTIATOR

Responsible for proofing, preparing press-ready files, packaging final art files and delivery to vendors, proofing, and press checking each project. Central to quality control, worked on technical aspects of jobs, and managed logistics. Responsible for executing final editorial and creative feedback from clients.
Ensured art files were named properly and in proper folders, checked that all graphic assets were accounted for, and that specs, estimates, and receipts from the clients and the print vendors were saved properly.
Worked with clients on marketing, presentations, documents, and brochures using extensive templates with master pages, character styles, object styles, and meticulous brand requirements in InDesign, Illustrator, PowerPoint, and Word.
Provided design and production work for various projects such as logos, manuals, menus, business cards, and more.
Graphic design work included large format prints for trade shows, static and motion web ads, and social media posts.
Edited photos: color correction, removal of imperfections, adding environments and backgrounds.
Created case studies and presentation decks in Keynote and PowerPoint for potential clients.

lead designer
ZIV 08.22 – 03.23

IDEA BARISTA | WEB-STORE BUILDER | VIDEO MAGICIAN

Collaborated with clients like Bruder Health to maximize web impact using Figma, WordPress, and Shopify.
Made UX improvements to websites using Figma. Created icons and other UX graphic components.
Created sizzle reels to introduce clients to Instagram and TikTok.
Produced major commercial video work using Adobe Premiere Pro.
Created layout and templates for a journal book.

ART DIRECTOR/ senior designer
Unbound 11.14 – 03.20

BRAND SHERIFF | BRAND EXPLORER | LEADER OF FELLOW NERDS | PUBLICATION G.O.A.T

Managed the graphic design team, fostered teamwork, and scheduled educational opportunities for career growth. Delegated design projects and tasks, determined priorities, and ensured stakeholder needs were met across all departments.
Managed and grew brand by holding critiques of ongoing work. Continually upgraded the brand with new icons, vector patterns, and photo treatments. Created user-friendly brand guidelines and posters to not only in-house staff in other departments but also international offices (multilingual production). Completed large-scale brand audit and made major visual updates to the logo, color palette, and other visual assets.
Developed 360◦ concepts and campaigns that creatively informed marketing materials, website design, commercials, ads, social media, direct mail, brochures, trade show exhibits, pitches, and publications.
Art directed and designed several publications each year, including the flagship magazine, hundreds of marketing materials, direct mail, email campaigns, social media graphics, ads, landing pages, trade show banners, posters, and print ads. Art direction included providing themes, campaign guidelines, shot lists, and feedback to reporters in 7 countries across the globe.
Promoted ADA compliance for publications for persons with vision impairments. Expert in creating layouts in Spanish, as almost all pieces had a crossover Spanish audience.
Designed and launched an online publication that supplemented content from the flagship magazine and added video and audio content to enrich the experience. Managed and produced content. Added content utilizing Sitecore Experience Accelerator.
Implemented and managed a DAM with over 30K assets and served as a key content manager. In charge of file naming practices and tagging. Worked with international staff in seven countries to upload and organize content.
Designed a multi-thousand-square-foot visitor experience. Work featured several floor-to-ceiling 18 by 20 feet wall graphics, 3D walls made from found materials, interactive features, soundscapes, curated artifacts, and educational activities. I designed and installed many of the graphics and features including lighting and sound.
In-house photographer for events, professional headshots and passport photos. Managed photo studio area and equipment, and scheduled headshots for 300 employees.
Art-directed video work in the field, including storyboarding and mood boarding to provide direction to the videographer.
Designed lead-generation email HTML campaigns with landing pages featuring recipes, activities, videos, wallpapers, and more for higher conversion rates. Generated leads while providing rich content and interaction with the user.
Art directed and designed merchandise for online stores, T-shirts, mugs, travel cups, pens, journals, and stickers.
Created hundreds of user-friendly, secure, fillable PDF forms, digital and mail, using InDesign and Acrobat Pro.
Mastered the art of organizing of themed food days.

branding lead/ art director][ Mid-America Arts Alliance 03.07 – 11.14

brand reinvigorator | exhibition maker | hype instigator | my cutting teeth era

Rebranded the organization with a new logo and identity, featuring brand guidelines, logo versions, and a complete identity package including new stationery, business tools like PowerPoint presentations, environmental graphics, exterior signage, wayfinding, and marketing/communications materials.
Created brochures, educational activities, text panels, labels, and installation furniture for several traveling exhibitions each year. Created alternative designs for ADA compliance and often in Spanish.
Designed collateral, advertising, large environmental graphics and stage sets, and merchandise for the summer First Friday concert series.
Created visually engaging impact reports for each program in each state for the development team every month.
Created graphics, invitations, signage, and a board report with impressive infographics twice a year.
Responsible for direct mail, social media posts, print ads, and any other materials needed for marketing and communications.
In-house photographer for art events and concerts, and was responsible for taking and editing headshots.
Designed and managed an early version of the organization’s website using CSS and Dreamweaver. Later managed and designed the website with proprietary software similar to WordPress.
Expert at unjamming paper in the office printer, even “PC Load Letter” messages.

GRAPHIC DESIGN COORDINATOR ][ Mid-America Arts Alliance 07.09 - 01.13

see above for job responsibilities.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER ][ Mid-America Arts Alliance 03.07 – 07.09

see above for job responsibilities.

PRODUCTION ARTIST ][ Herff-Jones 01.06 – 06.06

Layout of hundreds of yearbook pages per hour. Placed photos in layouts.
Proofread, checked pages for mistakes and inappropriate material.
Highly demanding work with long hours during seasonal rush.

FREELANCe DESIGNER
& BRAND CREATOR

sculptor of smiles | business miracle grow | event flourisher

Designed the RadioActive fundraising gala for KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR station, for two consecutive years—delivering large-scale event design and cohesive visual experiences.
Designed collateral systems for AltCap, including brochures, folders, business cards, letterhead, and direct mail—supporting expansion into Houston and Los Angeles markets.
Developed brand identities for Gloss Rx Medical Spa, Rx Packaging, and Samsara Yoga Temple.
Provided ongoing brand and design support for Gloss Rx, including gift cards, identity materials, social media graphics, event invitations, menus, packaging, ads, and storefront signage.
Created custom slide deck presentations for clients à la carte.
Provided professional photo editing services for individual clients through my website.
Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities—including client work and real life (yes, even diaper changes during Zoom calls).
Successfully developed a top-rated Animal Crossing island during off hours.

AWARDS

Nonprofit Connect, Philly Awards 2020: Philly Award Gold, Magazine.

Nonprofit Connect, Philly Awards 2017: Philly Award Gold, Print Newsletter; Philly Award Gold, Magazine.

Nonprofit Connect, Philly Awards 2016: Best in House and Award Of Distinction, Magazine; Philly Award, Marketing Campaign.

Kansas City IABC: Best In Show and Bronze Quill; Magazine; Bronze Quill, Multimedia Campaign.

Catholic Press Association, Catholic Press Awards 2016: General Excellence, Magazine.

HOW Magazine Winter In-House Awards 2015: Outstanding Achievement, Informational Brochure.

Nonprofit Connect, Philly Awards 2015: Philly Award and Award Of Distinction, Magazine; Philly Award and Award Of Distinction, Informational Brochure; Philly Award and Award Of Distinction, Print Newsletter.

Nonprofit Connect, Philly Awards 2009: Second Place, Exhibition Brochure.

American Association Of Museums 2008 Honorable Mention, Exhibition Brochure.