Michelle Irwin

Create. Excite. Repeat.

Projects

Created illustrated designs for a music museum, including a t-shirt graphic and several children’s worksheets. The work focused on clear visuals, playful illustration, and an appropriate age layout to support learning and engagement.

Projects: North Carolina Music Hall of Fame

On a very short timeline, I collaborated with the subject matter expert charged with developing a new program service for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Incorporating feedback from SME and my supervisor, I created a logo to promote the Bridge to Success. Once approved, I applied a clear, consistent visual style across a variety of digital print materials that inform the target audience and highlight the call to action/next steps for readers.

Project : Bridge to Success

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The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services transitioned to a new name, with refreshed branding. My goal for this annual report was to establish a new layout that incorporated the new branding elements, components and visuals. I collaborated with team members, gathered data, infographics and narratives about client and staff success to tell the story of EIPD.

After I received information from my supervisor, I began by researching and creating thumbnails in order to create a new layout. From there I began creating the layout, adding sections for photographs, data and success stories. As I began working, I needed to find a way to add the sections for the stories that would interest others in reading without having too much content. Then it was possible for the others on the team to provide and add stories to the sections that I made available for them along with the graphics in that section. Some of the areas for the stories were smaller than the stories, so the stories were shortened. Then I shaped and placed the photographs inside of the circle graphics. Throughout the project I focused on clear hierarchy, consistency, and readability while aligning with the state government branding standards.

Case Study, Annual Report

Flipbook, click the arrow: Entire annual report pages

Project: Social Media Outreach

While transitioning to a new name, this agency also launched for the first time on social media. I developed eye-catching, 508 accessible social media graphics and templates to promote agency messaging across multiple digital platforms.

Success Story

I am pleased to offer this testimonial in support of Michelle Irwin, an early career graphic design professional currently seeking new professional opportunities. Michelle completed a graphic design internship with me, after which she was hired to support the needs of a human services agency transitioning to a new name and graphic identity.

From the outset, Michelle showed her work ethic and flexibility, approaching with purpose. She proactively researched and developed multiple concepts of universal design for accessibility; she asked thoughtful questions and showed no hesitancy in stretching beyond her comfort zone to develop new skills.

Michelle consistently strived to produce work that was clean, modern, and visually compelling, and it elevated the overall presentation of our reports. Michelle was a pleasure to work with, combining talent, professionalism, and a strong desire to grow. Any organization would benefit from her skills, work ethic, and team-oriented approach.

—Jeanna Cullinan

Communications/Special Projects

Disability Employment and Community Access

NC Department of Health and Human Services

Project: Deaf Jobseeker Services Brochure

Designed an informational-dense brochure to help users quickly locate the nearest EIPD office location by using color-coded maps and counties, hierarchy and spacing to support easy scanning, and plain language. Subtle shadows were intentionally applied to the maps to separate them from surrounding text and reinforce visual hierarchy, improving clarity and usability.

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Project: Signage

To support transition to a new name, I developed a template for EIPD field office signage that could be adapted for a wide variety of locations, environments, and local regulations. This template was applied to or adapted for installation in more than 60 locations.

Project: Posters

Designed posters for use in cars to share information with the public. The focus was on clear messaging, strong visual organization, and readability so the posters were easy to notice and understand immediately. The project emphasized clean layouts and consistency while working within space and visibility.

Project: Brand Guide

Created a guide to help other users easily navigate and understand important information. The focus was on clear organization, readability, and consistency so content was easy to scan and follow. The project shows clean layouts and a structured approach to presenting information in a clear, usable way.

Flipbook, click the arrow: Entire guidelines pages

Projects:

Produced several extra pieces, t-shirts, notebooks, certificates and postcards.

Michelle Irwin

irwinmichelle2026@gmail.com

Contact me by using the above email address or click on Contact Me.

MICHELLE IRWIN

Graphic Designer

irwinmichelle2026@gmail.com I Concord, NC I www.michelleirwin.space

Summary_____________________________________________________________

I am a creative and detail-oriented Graphic Designer with 2+ years of experience developing visually compelling digital and print assets that engage diverse audiences. I translate complex information into clear, accessible, and brand-consistent designs, including logos, social media templates, annual reports, and program identities. I am skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat, Express) and knowledgeable in 508 accessibility standards, layout principles, and visual storytelling. I collaborate effectively across teams to deliver high-quality designs on tight timelines, enhancing brand presence and audience engagement.

Skills ________________________________________________________________

• Adobe Illustrator                                                         • Creative Thinking

• Branding & Identity Fundamentals • Print & Digital Design

• Adobe InDesign • Problem Solving

• 508 Accessibility Compliance • Layout & Composition

• Adobe Acrobat • Consistency

• Microsoft PowerPoint Collaboration • Visual Hierarchy

• Adobe Express

Experience_____________________________________________________________

NC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities

Graphic Designer,

04/2024 - 01/2026

• Developed visually compelling digital and print assets aligned with brand guidelines, supporting marketing campaigns and increasing audience engagement.

• Translated business objectives into clear visual concepts, ensuring consistency across web, social media, email, and offline collateral.

• Collaborated cross-functionally with marketing and content teams to deliver high-impact designs within tight deadlines.

• Managed multiple design projects simultaneously, maintaining quality standards while meeting production timelines.

• Optimized creative assets based on performance metrics and stakeholder feedback to improve conversion and brand visibility.

NC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Employment and

Independence for People with Disabilities Graphic Design Intern,

08/2023 - 02/2024

• Supported the design team in producing digital and print assets, ensuring alignment with brand standards and campaign objectives.

• Contributed original design concepts for social media, presentations, and marketing collateral, increasing visual consistency across platforms.

• Assisted in preparing production-ready files, reducing revision cycles and improving workflow efficiency.

• Collaborated with marketing and content teams to translate briefs into clear, audience-focused visual solutions.

• Applied feedback from senior designers to refine layouts, typography, and visual hierarchy, strengthening overall design quality.

North Carolina Music Hall of Fame

Graphic Design Intern

01/2023 - 05/2023

• Designed social media graphics, email banners, and print collateral aligned with established brand guidelines, supporting campaign visibility and engagement.

• Assisted senior designers in developing creative concepts from brief to execution, contributing to timely project delivery.

• Prepared and optimized production-ready files for digital and print, minimizing revisions and ensuring quality standards.

• Conducted visual research and competitor analysis to inform design direction and strengthen campaign positioning.

• Incorporated stakeholder feedback to improve layout clarity, typography consistency, and overall user experience.

Education and Training __________________________________________

Rowan Cabarrus Community College Kannapolis

Associate of Applied Science in NC Degree in Graphic Design,

Ball State University, Muncie

Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education

Purdue University, West Lafayette

Associate Degree in Reading Recovery

Amber's Beauty School, Muncie

Cosmetology Lice