ABOUT ME
I am a visual communicator with over nine years of experience, seven of which have been in higher education.
My skillset ranges from branding and graphic design, creating multi-platform materials, managing websites and ensuring web accessibility, tracking site analytics, coordinating social media postings, photographing and video editing, and assisting with marketing campaigns.
Additionally, I have developed a passion for diverse cultures and the arts, due to my eclectic upbringing as an American educated, Serbian child in Morocco. My exposure to these various cultures, languages, and religions granted me a unique perspective which allows me to think creatively, strategically, and empathically with the world around me.
Click here to view my Résumé. | Cliquez ici pour accéder à mon CV. | Feel free to contact me at: yelenadjakovic@gmail.com.
EDUCATION
2018 - 2020
Graduate Certificate in Multimedia Journalism at UMD
2012 - 2016
BFA in Visual Communications Design at Virginia Tech
BA in French Language and Literature at Virginia Tech
EXPERIENCE
2016 – Ongoing – Coded and Designed This Website Front-end web development of personal website (jelenadjakovic.com) using the Brackets software for source code text editing.
2017 - Present - Communications Coordinator at the School of Architecture Planning and Preservation at University of Maryland, College ParkProducing internal and external communications and outreach material for alumni, students and affiliates. That includes creating digital and print marketing/design material; website migration and management, analytics tracking, content creation, and ensuring web accessibility; developing bi-monthly E-Newsletters, coordinating social media postings; and photographing, video producing and editing/montaging school events, exhibitions and projects. Also produced teaser videos and online exhibitions for THE END/2020 and Holodomor: Context & Questions by photographing and videotaping the art; setting the tone through audio and visual manipulation; and editing/montaging the content.
2017 - Designer at Jay Marné
Designed the logo and marketing materials for the new brand, provided advice on best practices for UX/UI website design, and collaborated with the team in illustrating a second line of handbags.
2014 - 2017 - Rebranding of the Fralin Life Science Institute (FLSI) at Virginia Tech
Communicated the research and accomplishments of FLSI and its Centers internally and externally through various visual media. Designed multiple print and digital magazines and provided content, illustrations and photographs; worked with vendors and set up files for printing services; developed the brand for the VT Life Science Seminars and Global Change Center through marketing materials—posters, flyers and logos; and photographed events, labs, and researcher’s projects.
2017 - Branding and Print Design for Elu Creative
Designed layouts of promotional pieces— postcards, sell sheets, and digital booklets; and photo edited and montaged content at this award-winning design studio.
2017 - Branding for BodyGood Maroc
Designed labels for BodyGood’s products— Argan Oil, Rose Water, Ghassoul “Moroccan Clay”, and Moroccan Black Soap—and integrated the company’s branding style.
2017 - Documented African Hornbills in Namibia
Documented Virginia Tech graduate research student, David Millican’s fieldwork on African hornbills and the effects of climate change and habitat degradation on their cavity-nests, in Otjiwarongo, Namibia. Photographed, videotaped and prepared the interviewee and setting; and assisted in video editing and montaging the documentary-type video production.
2013 - 15 - Designer for the Engineers’ Forum at Virginia Tech
Assistant Designer for an interdisciplinary student-staffed engineering magazine published quarterly. Produced illustrations for given articles, photo edited and designed the magazine cover for one issue.
SKILLS
Software
~ Adobe Creative Cloud: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Lightroom, Bridge, Acrobat, AfterEffects, Premiere Pro, Audition
~ Mailchimp, Equidox, Drupal 8,
Wordpress, Brackets, File Zilla
~ Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Powerpoint
General
~ Communications & Marketing Skills ~ Digital Photography, Photo Manipulation ~ Video Production, Editing/Montaging ~ Exhibition Design ~ Motion Graphics ~ HTML/CSS ~ Document Remediation ~ Web Accessibility
Languages
~ Fluent in English, French, and Serbo-Croatian
~ Conversational in Moroccan Arabic
HONORS/ACHIEVEMENTS/AWARDS
2017 - Finalist at The Nature Conservancy Photo Contest
Top 100 finalist out of a pool of 1,000 for the Nature Conservancy Photo Contest, where an average of 33,000 images were submitted.
2017 - Finalist at The Rookies
Studio internship finalist at The Rookies “a global competition for young designers, creators, innovators, and artists.”
2016 & 2017 - Finalist at the Photographer’s Forum Contest
Finalist for the 36th Annual College & High School Photography Contest, including publication of work in the Best of College & High School Photography 2016 and 2017.
2015 - Jocelyne Couture-Nowak Memorial Scholarship
Recipient of the Jocelyne Couture-Nowak Memorial Scholarship for French Majors at Virginia Tech. My multi-cultural background, fluency in the French language, and passion for breaking language and cultural barriers allowed me to win the memorial scholarship.
2013 & 2014 - Art Scholarships
Recipient of two Art Scholarships from the School of Visual Arts (SOVA) at Virginia Tech, due to excellent work ethic and creativity.
EXHIBITIONS
2017 - TypeSetFree in the Perspective Gallery
Created the SOVA logo animation and collaborated on the typographic exploration book HAVOC displayed at the TypeSetFree Exhibition in the Perspective Gallery at Virginia Tech. The exhibition showcased projects that analyzed form, concept, and expression.
2016 - Art of Contrast in the XYZ Gallery Showcased a series of photographs at the Art of Contrast Exhibition in the XYZ Gallery in Blacksburg, VA. The images portrayed contrast through color, form, subject matter, and overcoming racial stereotypes.