Communicating, creatively.
marilyn@marilynfrank.com.
After receiving my graphic design degree from Columbia College Chicago, moving to NYC and starting my design studio, 52mm, I returned to the Midwest to write the next chapters of my creative career. I've held roles as a business owner, agency creative, freelancer, marketer, in-house creative and artist. As a result, I offer a multidimensional and hybrid set of skills, drawing from my diverse background in graphic design, branding, communications, marketing and creative leadership.
By breaking down the complexities of multi-platform content, I harness visual and technological competency to address communication problems with a human-centered approach, making connections through storytelling, and demonstrating the impact of design. My contributions as a leader, strategist and intellectually-inclined communicator confirms the power of design as a driver of change and culture. Bringing my creative, analytical and production skills together, I seek to create opportunities for dialogue, collaboration and transformation.
Awards include two-time winner at ADC's Young Guns, Graphis, and GD USA. My design and artwork has been featured in a range of publications, and was purchased for private and corporate art collections including SoHo House Chicago.
Upon attaining a certification in User Research from Nielsen Norman Group, I strive to channel my curiosity around audience behavioral insights into design-driven business results. I'm curious about people and technology, and will never stop learning.
Fun fact: This font, called Divine, is my handwriting. It's available through [T-26] Type Foundry in Chicago. Created by the late type designer Frank Heine, I occasionally find it on random things like Whole Foods brand packaging, t-shirts, logos and signage.
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, Microsoft Teams
Insta360 OneX camera; Insta360 Studio (software for editing 360 footage)
CMS (Oracle, Ruby on Rails)
Confluence (project management software)
HTML
Education.
College
Columbia College Chicago: Bachelor's Degree, Graphic Design
Certifications
Nielsen Norman Group – UX Certification: User Research Specialty
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).