Jenna Leskela
Creative Editor

BLAM! BLAM!

• http://www.blamblam.com

First and foremost I'm an artist, trained as a graphic designer. I've been working as a professional designer for the past six years and have built a portfolio I am quite proud of.

Now, an entrepreneur, being partners in the adventure that is BLAM! BLAM!, I do so much more than just design. However, my passion lies in creating imagery that stimulates our readers. I work very closely with my business partner, Michelle BLAM!, in creating the overall style, feel and theme of each issue. It's then my duty and pleasure to layout each page.

Being a partner in an independent business endeavor I also act jointly as account manager, project coordinator, photographer, story teller and marketing manager, just to name a few. Oh, we mustn't forget man scouting, I've been working on my pick up lines.

My strongest skill is to develop visual ideas for each issue of the magazine and then pull it all together to make it happen. Whether it's completely painting a naked man or having my friends strip behind an abandoned warehouse; it's all started with an idea and then led to recruiting people, photographers, make-up artists, fashion designers, renting venues, etc. Then I have to put it all together, along with Michelle's words, and get it off to print. It's what I live for!

We are looking for a financial person to help with that aspect of our business plan. Do you have financial skills and want to work with some sassy ladies? This person would be able to take the past two years of our financial information and output it in various pieces of information. This person would also be able to see the next level of our company and relate expenses, projections and interest acquired in order to help us know the level of investment we need.

We're mainly looking for someone who wants to work on trade. I am a skilled designer and feel like an identity system or marketing materials would be good trade for your financial services.

I have a BFA in Graphic Design, which I attained at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

I also studied painting in England for a semester.

BLAM! BLAM! www.blam-blam.com (designed this site) Creative Editor/Co-founder October 2005-present • Create 48-page quarterly publication, art direct all photo shoots and layout, execute graphic design, develop all marketing regarding the publication, send out press releases, solicit to distributors, work with my business partner on all levels

Iron Horse Hotel www.theironhorsehotel.com (designed this site) Graphic Designer November 2006-present • Developed award winning identity system for client, art direct "release" marketing campaign

Breitenbach Weiss, Inc. www.bwpr.com (designed this site) Lead Graphic Designer August 2005-August 2007 • Develop, from concept to production, high-end furniture catalogs, identity systems for furniture designers and companies, ad campaigns for profit and non-profit organizations, direct mail pieces, invitations, brochures, indoor/outdoor signage, transit signage, annual reports, newsletters, presentations, web site design • Work closely with web programmers to develop client sites • Meet with clients to develop most effective design solution to match their needs • Bid print projects to find the highest quality product for the lowest cost • In charge of print buying and working with print vendors • Photography for various projects
• Art direct and manage assistant designer • Manage work flow within the company • Developed designer and assistant designer position within company • Developed filing system for print pieces that includes quotes, print samples and billing information

Milwaukee Public Museum www.mpm.edu (designed this site) Lead Graphic Designer, Marketing Department April 2004-August 2005

• Develop, from concept to production, a variety of promotional material for the IMAX(r) Theater and Museum exhibitions, shops, membership, events, development and educational programs, i.e., ad campaigns, direct mail pieces, invitations, brochures, indoor/outdoor signage, transit signage, window displays, annual reports and a 20-page quarterly member publication • Collaborate with many internal departments to identify the best marketing solution for their various needs • Apply audience data to design principles with the goal of increasing attendance, sales, and membership • Recommend ad placements and distribution strategies to marketing director and manager • Advise membership publication editorial board with content and layout decisions • Worked with outside marketing agency to develop annual report • Bid print projects to find the highest quality product for the lowest cost • Coordinate photo shoots • Hire and collaborate with various illustrators
• Art direct and manage assistant designer • Manage work flow within the marketing department • Sit on Signage Committee to offer design recommendations for the with way-finding system • Track current spending under particular vendor contracts

Other duties as assigned: • Volunteer photographer for Museum gala

Milwaukee Public Museum www.mpm.edu Assistant Graphic Designer, Marketing Department January 2002-April 2004

• Applied given designs to a variety of material for the Museum and IMAX(r) Theater, including ads, educational material, event promotion, and indoor/outdoor signage • Developed concepts and created invitations for various events, one of which turned a one floor event to a three-floor event due to the popularity of the invitation

I also have an extensive array of freelance projects I've created throughout the years.