Jessica Yafchak
Designer and Illustrator
Email:
Phone:
(315) 884 - 2321
location:
Syracuse, NY
Hello!
My name is Jessica Yafchak and I am a freelance graphic designer and illustrator based out of Central New York! I have been doing freelance design and illustration work for over 3 years and am a 2023 summa cum laude graduate from Onondaga Community College where I received my associates degree in Graphic Design. I have 5+ years of experience working with adobe suite programs such as Indesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, as well as experience using Microsoft office programs such as Word, Powerpoint, Outlook and Excel. I am also familiar with both Mac OS and PC systems and have experience in web and UI design . My design specialties are in illustration, print and editorial design, design for social media, and logo design, but I also have an interest in packaging design and brand design as a whole. I am highly skilled in realism and portraiture and enjoy working with mixed media and collage in my free time. I would describe my design style as being bright, colorful, and fun, and I love using vibrant colors, patterns, and sparkly accents in both my design and illustration work.
What I don't know I am always eager to learn! I am a quick learner and can pick up new skills easily, so I'm able to produce quality work regardless of the program I am given. I take my work very seriously and strive to create only the best!
Work Experience
PR Assistant @ Fairmount Community Library, Camillus NY
January 2024 - Present
Illustrator and Designer @ The Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse NY (Remote)
August 2023 - Present
Freelance Illustrator & Designer
February 2021 - Present
Retail Sales @ Famous Footwear, Cicero NY
August 2019 - July 2023
LHS Chapter National Art Honors Society Vice President
October 2020 - June 2021
- Responsible for design of all library marketing materials, including but not limited to: newsletters, posters, web and social media banners, social media posts, LCD signage graphics, print signage, etc..
- Assist with brand creation and direction for libraries new teen and adult programs
- Regularly meet with library director to discuss design progress, new projects, project deadlines, and any necessary design revisions
- Ensure designs are consistent with library brand guidelines and meet marketing needs
- Multi-task and complete multiple projects on concurrent schedules and deadlines
- Provide input on/ideas for library marketing strategies
- Represent library at community events
- Occasionally assist with clerical work and customer service on an as needed basis
- Responsible for concept, design and production of innovative, high quality print and digital materials, including booklets, brochures, worksheets, and signage
- Illustrate compelling graphics and artwork for use on the museum website, social media and in print materials
- Thoroughly plan out and conceptualize effective and organized design layouts while compiling and requesting necessary materials
- Ensure all created materials align with museum brand guidelines and utilize approved fonts, colors, and stock imagery
- Communicate frequently and effectively with the design director to determine design direction, necessary revisions, and required materials for given projects
- Complete rudimentary copywriting and editing when necessary
- Maintain consistent and effective communication with clients to assist them with visualizing their ideas and composing a design for their creative projects
- Work efficiently to deliver a finished product in a reasonable time frame
- Create neat and conscientious designs that are both visually appealing and accurately match what was requested by the client
*Highest performing store in the district*
- Organize and straighten the store so that it is visually appealing and encourages the sale of a promoted product as well as other products throughout the store
- Problem solve and find smart and effective solutions to resolve customer issues and concerns
- Communicate with and support my coworkers as a team in order to assist them with tasks, questions, and/or other problems or issues they may have
- Proactively and effectively communicate with customers to determine their needs and how to best help them
- Regularly communicate with and assist society president in organizing weekly meeting plans and objectives
- Help guide conversation and support society president during club meetings and activities
- Keep club members up to date about important society events and deadlines and provide relevant information and support when needed
- Brainstorm creative and profitable ideas for club fundraisers and activities
~ Fundraiser goal was to raise money for a scholarship that would be awarded to a graduating NAHS member at the end of the year
- Produce creative work that could be used as advertisement for and to be sold during club fundraisers
~ Sales at the end of the year totaled over $650
awards
01 hattie burns memorial art scholarship award recipient (2021)
One of the largest, "no strings attached", monetary scholarships awarded at my High School (Liverpool). This was presented to me in 2021 after every art teacher at the high school unanimously chose me as the deserving recipient. This scholarship is awarded every year to one student involved in the arts by local CNY artist Ken Nichols.
02 print design awards participant (2023)
I was chosen by my Graphic Design Professor, Bruce Osborne, to participate in the PRINT Design Awards, a national design competition hosted by PRINT Magazine, on behalf of OCC. I was the only student chosen to have my work submitted to this competition due to my exceptional illustration and design skills.
03 everson teen art exhibition participant (2021)
I was chosen as one of six students at Liverpool High School and 29 students total from the CNY area to have my art featured in the Everson Art Museums Teen Art Exhibition for 2021. My work from this exhibit also made the front page of a local newspaper known as The Eagle News. View the article using this link: https://eaglenewsonline.com/new/schools/2021/05/04/liverpool-high-school-student-artwork-selected-for-virtual-show-at-the-everson/
04 The Master and Grasshopper Competitive Art Exhibition Participant (2020)
I was selected as a participant for the Master and Grasshopper Competitive Art Exhibition in pairing with my digital art teacher, Chris Casciano. The exhibition was hosted by the Loomis Art Gallery and showcased artwork from Art teachers/professors based in the north east United States alongside a student of their choice. After demonstrating strong technical skill, perseverance, and a drive for success, I was selected by my teacher to compete. Here is my digital art teacher's statement as to why he chose me to compete: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iJ99a6pXvIBy-W3cKIyvjskh_31vyVbG/view?usp=share_link
05 Syracuse university's 47th Annual Community Folk Art Competitive Teen Art Exhibition Participant (2019)
After showcasing a strong piece of artwork in one of my class critiques, I was selected by my drawing teacher, Nina Spano, to have my art featured in Syracuse University's Community Folk Art Exhibit as part of their 47th Annual Competitive Teen Art Exhibition.
06 other exhibited works
I have also had my artwork displayed in multiple other galleries including: Syracuse University's 47th Annual Community Folk Art Competitive Teen Art Exhibition Participant (2019), Liverpool High School’s Alumni Art exhibition (2022), and OCC’s Sophomore Showcase (2023).
07 academic achievements
Graduated in the Top 60 of my high school class with honors, Lamp of Learning letter and pin (2019 + 2020, awarded to students with a GPA above a 94.5), Elks Lodge Student of the Month award (2020), Scholastic Achievement Awards in Studio Art (2018), Drawing and Painting (2019), SUNY Media and Methods Art (2021), Scholastic Art Awards for Honorable Mention (2018), Silver key (2020 + 2021), and Gold key (2021), and OCC's Deans list for Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023.
Find me here!
