Catherine A. Wheeler (née Drinka) - resume
contact: catherine@incantare-effect.com | linkedin.com/in/catherinedrinkawheeler
resume: career | education + skills | activities | references
Career
Freelance Graphic Designer - Incantare Effect, LLC
March 2017 - present
- Collaborate with local and remote (including international) clients to develop strong designs for print, web, and branding.
- Generate creative, audience-driven solutions for single- and multiple-page layouts, photo manipulation / editing, custom illustrations (including logos), and website design.
- Offer training for clients wishing to update and manage their materials.
- Provide ongoing design support for clients.
Senior Associate Faculty, full-time - Graphic Communication (GCom)
Engineering Technology Department - Western Illinois University (WIU)
August 2004 - December 2016
- Developed the curriculum for and taught 200-, 300-, and 400-level classes (3-5 per semester) on graphic illustration (Adobe Illustrator), page layout (Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress), photo manipulation (Adobe Photoshop), web design (HTML, CSS, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Fireworks, Adobe Flash/Animate), and professional preparation.
- Supervised independent study topics and honors projects.
- Consistently ranked “among the highest in the department” on student evaluations (per chairpersons’ written statements)
Web Design Specialist
College of Business & Technology - WIU
August 2007 - May 2008; July 2006 (contract worker)
- Redeveloped the layout, architecture, and content of the College’s departmental websites.
- Helped to develop campus-wide website for new faculty.
- Maintained the College’s and associated departments’ websites.
University Relations / Web Support Services - WIU
Summers 2005 & 2006 (contract worker); May 2000 - July 2003 (intern & student assistant)
- Acted as lead graphic web designer during a major redesigning of the WIU website - see design.
- Designed the layout, developed the architecture, and edited the content of websites for various WIU departments and offices.
- Maintained upper-level WIU pages and clients’ websites.
- Trained personnel to administer websites.
Quad Cities Campus - WIU
March - July 2004 (contract worker)
- Redesigned the layout and redeveloped the architecture of the WIU-Quad Cities website.
- Maintained the website’s content.
Education
M.S. in Instructional Technology & Telecommunications (ITT)
Instructional Design & Technology Department (formerly ITT) - WIU
July 2003
- Focused on integrating design technology into instructional modules for business and education.
- GPA 4.0 / 4.0
B.S. in Industrial Technology - Graphic Communication emphasis / English minor
Engineering Technology Department (formerly Industrial Education & Technology) - WIU
May 2001
- Named Outstanding Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar in Industrial Technology.
- GPA 4.0 / 4.0 (summa cum laude)
Computer skills (Mac + PC)
Adobe Creative Suite CC
- Acrobat Pro
- Animate / Flash
- Dreamweaver
- Fireworks
- Illustrator
- InDesign
- Photoshop (plus Bridge)
Other Software
- QuarkXPress 9
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
Web Coding
- HTML
- CSS
Service + activities (academic)
Graphic Communication Program Level
- Member, committee to develop cross-departmental degree on new media (Fall 2013 - Fall 2014)
- Developed new 400-level GCom course on advanced graphic illustration (Spring 2013) - Coordinated proposal, secured approval from university committees, and developed curriculum; first taught class in Fall 2013
- Assisted in preparation of materials for successful program accreditation and re-accreditation by ACCGC - Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications, Inc. (Fall 2011 - Fall 2016)
- Co-advise GCom Club student organization (August 2011 - December 2016)
- Co-supervise undergraduate and graduate lab assistants (August 2008 - December 2016)
Engineering Technology Department Level
- Member, committee to develop evaluation forms for online courses (Fall 2012)
- Member, GCom faculty search committee (Summer 2011)
- Participate in advisory council activities (Fall 2010 - Fall 2016)
- Member, GCom faculty search committee (Summer 2009)
- Member, chairperson search committee (Fall 2007 - Spring 2008)
- Assist with departmental marketing materials (August 2005 - December 2016) - Help develop content and designs for promotional brochures, certificates of appreciation, printed reports, signage, and Epsilon Pi Tau initiations; maintained departmental website (through 2010)
- Participate in annual Technology Education Exhibit (Spring 2004 - Spring 2016) - Assist with printing of brochures and award certificates, locate judges, and attend event
College & University Level
- Student, Best Practices in Online Teaching - six-week workshop (Fall 2012) - Offered by the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Research - WIU
Other Activities
- Attendee, Graph Expo 2012 (October 2012) - McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
Honors + Affiliations
- Member, AIGA - American Institute of Graphic Arts (July 2012 - present)
- Recipient, Honoring Our Professors of Excellence (H.O.P.E.) Award - WIU (April 2009) - Student-nominated entrant
- Member, Honors Society of Phi Kappa Phi (February 2000 - present)
References
- Please see recommendations on linkedin.com/in/catherinedrinkawheeler
- Additional references available upon request