Communicating, creatively.
marilyn@marilynfrank.com.
// When my parents emigrated to the U.S. and settled in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, they found a place that offered a mix of energy, grit, working-class character and...extraordinary signage. //
As a four year-old taking walks with my father, I was captivated by the sweeping script of the Riviera Theater marquee, the commanding presence of the Aragon Ballroom sign, and countless candy-colored logos and signage for various gas stations and grocery stores along Broadway Avenue. As a teen, Cabaret Voltaire and New Order album covers and copies of The Face magazine—discovered at a little shop called Wax Trax—became further creative inspiration that led me down a decisive, mind-altering rabbit hole. Design was on the other side.
After receiving my graphic design degree from Columbia College Chicago, and putting in five years as partner of design studio 52mm in New York City, I returned to the Midwest to continue my creative career. I've held roles as a business owner, agency creative, freelance designer, marketer, in-house creative and artist. As a result, I offer a multidimensional and hybrid set of skills.
Today, I simplify the complexities of multi-platform content by harnessing visual competency to address communication problems, working with diverse groups of stakeholders to move ideas from concept to reality. My creative contributions as a design leader, strategist, team player and intellectually-inclined communicator demonstrate the power of design to be a driver of change and culture. With a concise and artful approach to brand storytelling and experiences, I aim to connect with audiences and create opportunities for transformation and dialogue.
My work has been featured in national & international publications, and can be found in private and corporate collections including SoHo House Chicago.
Design awards: Two-time winner at ADC's Young Guns; Graphis; ProMax BDA; GD USA; Design Within Reach.
Skills and Experience.
Art direction/Creative direction
Branding
Client relations
Content strategy
Copywriting
Creative team leadership
Digital design
Email campaigns
Graphic design
Marketing
Photo shoots
Press release writing
Print design & production
Project management
User research
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Software/Technical:
Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Xd, Acrobat)
Microsoft Office
CMS (Oracle, Ruby on Rails)
HTML/CSS
Education.
College
Columbia College Chicago: Bachelor's Degree, Graphic Design
Certifications
Northwestern University – Content Strategy for Professionals: Engaging Audiences
Northwestern University – Content Strategy for Professionals: Managing Content
IDEO U – Storytelling for Influence
Additional Courses
General Assembly – Intro to User Research
General Assembly – User Research Methods
AIGA – Facilitation by Design
Ox-Bow School of Art – Printmaking
Awards.
2016 Design Annual, Graphis Magazine, August 2015
Project: World Relief's 70-year Anniversary Book.
This 100-page book is a singular, concise history of World Relief – the first of its kind in their 70-year history. Intended to be given as a gift to major donors, the book shows how financial contributions and direct involvement can impact the lives of many through programs that promote transformational development. This book is part of a larger effort to rebrand the organization and solidify their position as a relevant force in global humanitarian efforts.
Art Director: Marilyn Frank
Designer: Natalia Bulsza-Gottschalk
Copywriter: Dan Gutnecht
Additional awards:
Creativity International
Graphic Design USA
American Graphic Design Awards
Recognition:
Under Consideration
Mohawk Felt & Wire
2014 Design Award: 70th Anniversary logo for World Relief, Graphic Design USA, November 2014
Logo Design.
Juried competition.
Creative Director: Shannon Lee
Art Director/Designer: Marilyn Frank
2014 Design Award: StudioNorth Poster Series, Graphic Design USA, November 2014
Series of three posters for in-house agency use.
Creative Director: Shannon Lee
Art Director/Designer: Marilyn Frank
Modern+Design+Function: Chicago Furniture Now, Design Within Reach, October 2006
F2 was recognized for "Chemistry Set, " a blown glass, hand-etched series of 30 chemistry-style vessels. "Chemistry Set" combines the form and function of a traditional chemistry flask with the etchings of humorous (and sometimes dada-esque) text in place of numerical markings.
Juried show for product and furniture design.
Young Guns #3, Art Director's Club NY, April 2001
52mm was recognized for motion graphics work (Daily Dose of Truth PSAs).
Juried design show.
Agency: Crispin Porter Bogusky
Creative Direction: Marilyn (Devedjiev) Frank
Design: Katie Marsh
VH1 "Behind the Music," PromaxBDA, August 2000
Silver Award for VH1 "Behind the Music" redesign (intro & interstitials).
Creative Director/Motion graphics designer: Marilyn (Devedjiev) Frank
Editor: Damion Clayton
Producer: Bret Havey
Young Guns #1, Art Director's Club NY, April 1996
52mm was recognized for motion graphics work (short film).
Juried design show.
Creative Director/Motion graphics designer: Marilyn (Devedjiev) Frank
Editor: Damion Clayton
This project was also featured in ResFest and premiered at The Kitchen in NYC (1996).