Karen M. Testa

• ,
• LinkedIn

Hi, I'm Karen M. Testa. Welcome to my profile!

Karen M. Testa's Bio:

Karen M. Testa's Experience:

• IPT Digital Image Editor at Nordstrom

  September 2014 - Present | Seattle, WA

  Digital imaging artist responsible for photo editing imagery matching changing standards for commercial industry and marketing strategy for advertising promotions. Expert knowledge of CS6 and newer versions of Adobe programs. Main work focused within Photoshop, including: experience with masking, layers, alpha channels, and command actions & shortcuts. Familiar with post-production workflow and related industry terminology for direction of art director.

• Visual Communications/Graphic Designer at Art Institute of Seattle

  July 2009 - June 2013

  Graduated with GraphicDesign /Media Design BA in 2013

• Design Coordinator at Continental Mills

  April 2012 - October 2012

  Scheduling and project coordinator for all design projects in the Creative Services Department. Assistant for prepress and printer relationships pertaining to graphics process, file management, color and print quality. Coordinated production review of package designs with Design Supervisor, designer, prepress suppliers and printers. Routed all internal PDF production proofs through CM systems for approval.Worked with core teams to plan, prioritize and schedule changes/updates to existing packaging.Communicated with printers, color separators, designers and CM team members for timing of projects.

• Prepress /Graphic Production Specialist at The Creative Group/ Robert Half International, Inc

  May 2004 - April 2009

  Placed as a dependable representative engaging multipurpose skills and quick learning abilities. Supplementing creative and communications teams for projects with graphic design, catalogs, mailings, web updates or printing needs. Exclusive assignments include creative services with Ernst & Young LLC, a web designer with the City of Everett, a layout artist for Russell Investments, and a print production manager and creative director liaison with Majestic America/ Windstar. Familiarization included print buyer negotiations for contracts, estimates, quality control and press checks. Coordinated with sales departments to streamline advertising tactics to successfully increase business incomes.

• Prepress /Graphic Production Manager at MGM Graphics Inc

  April 2005 - June 2006

  Production facility for major label, bag and corrugated box print houses across the US and Canada to provide flexographic plates for large format printing up to 50"x 80". Quality control includes typesetting, image linking raster trap files, distortions and stepping for cylinder printing, Daily tasks include preflight, prepress, scheduling and assignment of work to artists for reproduction on film or direct to plate Eskographics CDI using Nexus workflow for Matchprint proofing with Epson and HP large formats. Used expertise with production for adjustments to files for brilliant and accurate color print reproduction from proof to press. Coordination for shipping and delivery between three company branches setting artwork to produce plates on tight deadlines. SUPPLEMENTAL

Karen M. Testa's Education:

• The Art Institute of Seattle

  2014 – 2015
  BFA in Commercial Photography
  Concentration: Editorial & Portraiture Photography
  Activities: Art Direction, Stylist, Creative Concepts Marketing & Advertising-Graduation December 2015

• The Art Institute of Seattle

  2013 – 2014
  AAA
  Concentration: Photography
  Activities: Photography classes for Advertising & Marketing

• Art Institute of Seattle

  2009 – 2013
  Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)

• Art Institute of Seattle

  1991 – 1993
  AAA
  Concentration: Visual Communications/ Graphic Design