AMANDA PEREZ

  • Exhibits |
  • Graphics |
  • Digital |
  • Photography

About Me

Art Director & Senior Designer
at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC

September 2019–Present

Pet Peeve:
"Can you make this look pretty?"

Analog Hobbies:
Pointed Pen Calligraphy, Hand Lettering, Paper Marbling, Letterpress Printing, Avid Letter Writer, Fiber Arts, Travel Photography

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Programs I Use: Illustrator CC, In Design CC, Photoshop CC, Typekit

  • Designs 2D exhibition graphics (exhibit logos, interpretive graphics, multimedia interfaces, environmental graphics, promotional marketing materials, exterior banners)
  • Develops exhibit color palettes, typefaces, graphic hierarchies and murals for exhibitions
  • Creates color boards, graphic and material specs for all exhibit projects
  • Conceptualizes and creates illustrations, infographics and iconography for exhibition graphics
  • Creates and finalizes all graphic production files based on vendor specifications and proofs final graphics
  • Creates and manages exhibit graphic schedules through each phase of production to meet deadlines and budget requirements
  • Researches content, images and artwork for exhibitions to determine appropriate design solutions within budget
  • Designs and produces project proposal documents and deliverables packages for clients
  • Creates graphic production schedules and cost estimates for fabrication bid process and management
  • Designs print exhibition catalogs, marketing materials and retail merchandising

DIGITAL & UX DESIGN

Programs I Use: HTML, CSS, Sketch, Adobe XD, Various Code Editors, InDesign CC, iBooks Author, After Effects, Keynote, iMovie

  • Nielsen Norman Group UX Certification with Research Focus
  • Visual and UX Design lead on in-house digital strategy, content strategy and analytics teams
  • Designs and develops exhibit prototypes, web wireframes, web mock-ups for design reviews and user testing
  • Facilitates user interviews, user beta testing, card sorting exercises and museum interactive prototyping
  • Conducts analytics research for web projects using Google Analytics, heat mapping, user recordings and A/B testing
  • Creates digital design interfaces for exhibit interactives and produces final production graphics for audio and video exhibit components
  • Designs, develops and publishes downloadable eBooks and ePubs for exhibitions
  • Designs graphic collateral for social media campaigns
  • Builds websites in HTML and CSS

EXHIBIT DESIGN & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Programs I Use: Vectorworks, CAD Tools

  • Conceptualizes and develops overall look and feel for exhibition spaces incorporating artifacts, audio, video and environmental graphics
  • Produces CAD drawings of floor plans, elevations and interactives for conceptual presentations through fabrication bid packages
  • Creates the project schedule, manages and coordinates the exhibitions team to meet project development milestones and deliverable deadlines
  • Produces biddable fabrication documents for production of 3D exhibition components, graphic panels, interactives and exterior signage
  • Prepares project Scope of Work and RFPs for design, fabrication and usability testing, creates cost estimates and details exhibit fabrication specifications for exhibit bid packages
  • Manages project contracting as a COR for contractor bidding process, graphics production, exhibit fabrication and installation
  • Project art direction from concept to final design and through installation

PHOTOGRAPHY

Programs I Use: Photoshop CC, Lightroom Classic CC, DSLR, iPhone, Moment 18mm, Analog (35mm, 120 (Holga) and Instant Films)

  • Photographer for exhibit graphic content, 3D theatrical structures and exhibits
  • Researches photos for exhibit content and obtains image usage rights for use in exhibits
  • Maintains project photo archive for graphic development and final production
  • Edits project photos and selects all final photos for final graphic layouts
  • Art directs photo shoots for use in exhibit graphics

Where I was a Starving Art Student:

University of the Arts Philadelphia, PA
MFA Museum Exhibition Planning and Design, 2003

Parsons School of Design New York, NY
BFA Photography, 1997

Places I've Worked:

Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC
Visual & UX Designer
February–September 2019

National Archives, Washington, DC
Designer: Exhibits, Graphics & Digital Projects
August 2009–February 2019

Smithsonian Institution, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC
Exhibit/Graphic Designer & Project Art Director
October 2003–May 2008

Design Assistant & Internships:

Ralph Appelbaum Associates, New York, NY

The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA

Newseum, Arlington, VA

Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, FL

What I'm Up Too:

I am often taking a class or traveling!
Past adventures have included:

Honors I've Received:

2018 Archivist’s Award for Outstanding Teamwork at the National Archives

2014 Museum Peer Award for Achievements in Innovation at the National Archives

2014 Archivist’s Award for Outstanding Teamwork at the National Archives

2013 Award of Distinction in Publications Design American Graphic Design & Advertising, What's Cooking, Uncle Sam? Exhibition Catalog

2012 HOW In-HOWse Design Award, Nonprofit Institutions, Organizations & Associations, HOW Design Magazine, What's Cooking, Uncle Sam? Exhibition Catalog

2012 PGAMA Excellence in Print Award, PGAMA, What's Cooking, Uncle Sam? Exhibition Catalog

2011 Archivist’s Award for Outstanding Achievement at the National Archives, What's Cooking, Uncle Sam? Exhibition

2007 Association of Zoos & Aquariums Exhibit Award, Significant Honor: Asia Trail

2007 American Alliance of Museums Excellence in Exhibits, Honorable Mention: Asia Trail

2006 The Meerkat Award, Excellence in Teamwork, Asia Trail Team, Smithsonian National Zoological Park Peer Recognition Awards