Hello i'mCortney O'Donoghuea Graphic, Web and Marketing Professional

/ About Me

You could say that design runs through my blood,

but the less dramatic truth is that my mother spent 35 years in the publishing industry, so I have been routinely exposed to graphic design since I was in diapers. I remember visiting my mother’s job at a newspaper and watching her work with an X-Acto knife and tape, creating page layouts with paste-up design. When it was time for me to choose a career, it came as no surprise that I chose graphic design, a passion that felt natural to me.

Through 15+ years of experience, I have been eagerly expanding my skills within graphic design and beyond. My career has allowed me to explore print design, digital media, events, business administration, project management, marketing and more. Design radiates through every part of my life, so when I’m not at work, I take this passion home with me where I love to experiment with interior design, baking and decorating, landscape design, and fashion and styling.

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Cortney O'Donoghue
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/ Hard Skills

Print Design

Stationery, marketing material, brochures, out-of-home advertising, invitations, signage, publications and reports, flyers, posters, packaging

Websites

Web design, WordPress, Wix, Shopify, HTML, CSS, mobile design, SEO, animated and static banners, cpanel, SSL, domain and hosting management, accessibility

Writing & Copy Editing

Writing marketing material, blogs, proof reading, grammar, spelling, consistent language, formatting (English and French), adhering to style and brand guides, accessibility

Social Media

Organic posting, page and profile management, content creation and scheduling, paid advertising campaigns, team training

Digital

Email marketing, list building, search engine advertising, online reputation management, digital signage, presentations, analytics and reporting

Branding

Logo design, brand guides, corporate messaging, environmental design, service design, marketing strategy and rollout

Project Management

Workback schedules, deadline management, cost estimating, task management, proposal writing, supplier coordination, problem solving, lead meetings

Business Administration

Job postings, online surveys, pdf and online forms, business email, Google Workspace, online payment processors (PayPal, Stripe), QuickBooks online

Marketing

Strategy and planning, media buying, establishing target audience, consulting, analyzing trends

Program Proficiency

95%
InDesignPrint Layouts, Publications
90%
PhotoshopDigital design, photo editing
90%
IllustratorCustom vector art, logo design
90%
AcrobatPDF Editing, Commenting, Forms
55%
Premier, After Effects
40%
Dreamweaver, HTML, cPanel
95%
Canva
60%
Figma
95%
WordPress, Elementor, WPBakery
90%
Wix, Shopify, Squarespace
85%
MailChimp, Constant Contact
85%
Facebook, Instagram, Business/Ads Manager
75%
Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter, Tik Tok
80%
Hootsuite, Toggl, Asana, Workfront
85%
Google Listings, Analytics, Workspace
50%
Google Ads, Cloud Platform

/ Soft Skills

Organization

Project management platforms, organizing networks, files, servers and emails, creating common sense filing systems for teams, creating task lists, managing print deadlines, delegating tasks

Self-Sufficient

Work with little direction, coordinate with team members in different locations, initiate and execute ideas, seek and offer solutions, proactive with projects

Communication

Experience with client meetings, presentations, training sessions, delivering metrics, brainstorming, active participant in team meetings, coordinating with suppliers

Kevin Waud at the Weather Network

Cortney was not only an absolute pleasure to work with but was extremely talented as well. She is a creative, energetic, detail oriented Graphic Designer who has the ability to bring anyone’s ideas to life with a positive attitude.

Kevin Waud – Coworker
Michael Tutton at Toronto Public Library

Cortney would be my first hire if I was setting up a new creative department. Her value goes beyond her ability to create graphics by bringing her common sense approach and bottom line thinking to doing what is best for the end goal.

Michael Tutton – Manager
Jyotika Galhaut

Cortney’s ideas are always fresh, artistic and so beautiful that I can barely remember a time when I have requested an edit. In addition to superior design and technology skills, Cortney brings a level of professionalism that is hard to match.

Jyotika Galhaut – Client

Keeping all projects and files organized is an easy way to meet deadlines while minimizing stress with myself, clients and coworkers.

01
Clean files for coworkers and suppliers
02
Organized, common-sense filing system
03
Using proper programs to reduce file size

/ Education

My three-year design diploma was focused heavily on exposing our creativity through technical skills. Before we sat at a computer, professors (industry experts) taught us the importance of typography, white space, alignment, achieving the client’s goal and the design process. I continually update my skills through courses and online learning to keep up with this ever changing industry.

Ryerson UniversityDesign Management Certificate2015-2017
  • Marketing
  • Project management
  • Service design
  • People management
  • Business functions using design thinking
George Brown CollegeCourses2009 + 2011
  • Dreamweaver and CSS
  • Accessible PDFs
  • Adobe Premier and After Effects
Fanshawe CollegeGraphic Design Diploma2003-2006
  • Design fundamentals
  • Logo and print design
  • Photography
  • Web design
  • Adobe programs
Wiarton High SchoolOSSD with honour roll1999-2003
  • IODE Highest Academic Proficiency Award (Grade 9-12)
  • Wiarton Rotary Grade 11 French Award
  • IODE Grade 11 Highest Academic in English Award
  • Grade 12 Citizenship Award

/ Employment

OLGSr. Graphic Design Specialist2022-Present

Digital design projects for the Business Enterprise and Strategy, Digital Communications team.

YMCACommunications Lead2020-2022

Responsible for all communications for the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce, including eblasts, press releases, print material, copy writing, content creation, social media, and website content, updates and functionality. As well, I’m responsible for fundraising, campaigns and events including the AGM, Peace Week and Strong Kids campaign.

Avenue A AdvertisingGraphic and Digital Manager2016-2020

Graphic and web design for various retainer clients, as well as marketing planning, copy writing, press releases, buying and scheduling media and project coordination. Managing social media accounts for clients, online reputation management and analytics and reporting are also key to my role.

Executive PlatformsFreelance Graphic Designer2014-2019

Working on event design, including show guides, signage and web design, as well as on-site event coordination. These events cater to high-level executives in the U.S.

OLGGraphic Specialist2010-2016

Design and writing for internal and external communications projects, as well as project management from concept to completion. Projects were required in multiple languages and had to meet accessibility standards as laid out by the Ontario government.

World Trade GroupGraphic Designer2008-2010

Design, management and execution of corporate branding, exhibition signage, show guides, web design, eblasts and marketing material. I also attended events as an event coordinator to assist with set up, registration and event flow.

Muskoka MagazineProduction Artist2007

During my five month contract, my role covered ad design, page layout and deadline management for a large format magazine (Muskoka Magazine), weekly newspaper, monthly business paper and leisure guides.

Finlay PublishingGraphic Designer2006-2007

Along with supervising a summer intern, I was also in charge of ad design and layout for a monthly tourism paper. Brochures, special event guides, maps and web templates were also among my daily activities.

/ Portfolio

Media Releases
Blogs