résumé

Tonya Ricks | LinkedIn | tonrix@gmail.com | download a .pdf of this résumé

Summary

Award-winning designer and editor specializing in web and print publishing. Experience with process analysis and creating streamlined solutions. Deadline driven and detail oriented with a proven ability to adapt to dynamic work situations.
Clear communicator and energetic collaborator.

Technical Skills

Web: HTML, XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, ExpressionEngine, Marketo

Software: Adobe CS5 (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver, Acrobat, Captivate), MS Office (Powerpoint, Word, Excel, Outlook), Camtasia, SharePoint

Platforms: Apple, PC

Experience

Amazon.com | Seattle, WA | 2011-present

Amazon Marketplace. Specializing in communication with millions of worldwide third-party sellers. B2B/B2C.

Graphic/Web Designer

  • Created display ads (US and international) for the “Seller Central” gateway page, which drew more than 1% clickthrough rates with 200k impressions.
  • Produced e-learning videos to help sellers improve sales; one video prompted about 30% of viewers to follow through with recommendations in tutorial.
  • Developed monthly HTML and illustrations for internal newsletter, providing consistent style while offering seasonal variety in each issue.
  • Upheld brand consistency in creation of monthly seller-facing newsletter templates, international emails and seller announcements; facilitated content management.
  • Managed project to communicate new shipping options to sellers, coordinating between vendor, internal stakeholders and programmers, resulting in broad adoption.

The Kitsap Sun | Bremerton, WA | 2009-2011

Daily newspaper, circulation: 30,000. Supplies news specific to Kitsap County.

Page Designer/Web Designer

  • Developed color palette and masthead for kitsapsun.com redesign, winning first-place Society of Professional Journalists award for Best Web Design for 2009.
  • Adapted original print maps and illustrations for interactivity on the web, increasing readers’ retention and understanding.
  • Collaborated with reporters, other designers and editors to best present news projects.
  • Finished tasks on daily deadline, ensuring on-time production of the newspaper.

Grist.org  |  Seattle, WA | 2009-2010

Online magazine presenting environmental news with a sense of humor.

Web Designer

  • Manipulated CSS and JavaScript, measurably improving appearance of site, widgets.
  • Collaborated with marketing and fundraising departments to create witty and welcoming logos, e-mail graphics, invitations to reader meetups.
  • Developed Flash and CSS interactive illustrations, increasing article comprehension.
  • Illustrated stories using original illustration and stock and original photography.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer | Seattle, WA | 2008-2009

Daily newspaper, circulation: 127,000. Provided Seattle and Puget Sound news.

Copy Editor, Desk Editor

  • Promoted to collaborative position organizing and developing daily feature page.
  • Supervised 8+ freelance writers, ensuring deadlines were met.
  • Analyzed and improved organizational system; team adopted strategy in 2 weeks.
  • Edited 50+ stories a week, consistently finishing ahead of personal and team deadlines.

Tri-City Herald | Kennewick, WA | 2003-2008

Daily newspaper, circulation: 48,000. Largest news organization in the Mid-Columbia.

Page Designer/Copy Editor

  • Pioneered newspaper redesign, modernizing look and increasing quantity of content despite decreased physical space. Saved company $20,000 by leading project.
  • Prioritized needs of staff in redesign, reducing at least 10% of formatting time.
  • Art-directed photo shoots, ensuring visuals would match editorial content and tone.

The Island Packet | Hilton Head Island, SC | 2002-2003

Daily newspaper, circulation: 18,000. Premier news source for the Lowcountry.

Page Designer/Copy Editor

  • Introduced nationwide design trends, modernizing the company’s main product.

Awards

Society of Professional Journalists, Region 10

  • 1st, Best Web Design
  • 2nd, News Page Design
  • 3rd, Feature Page Design

Society of Professional Journalists, Inland Northwest

  • 1st, Page One Design
  • 1st, Lifestyles Page Design
  • 2nd, Page One Design

Education