Hello, I am Wendy Tefft
GRAPHIC DESIGNER | WEB DEVELOPER | PHOTOGRAPHER | BRANDING DETECTIVE
ABOUT ME
Wendy Tefft
GRAPHIC DESIGNER | WEB DEVELOPER | PHOTOGRAPHER | BRANDING DETECTIVE
Hi, I'm Wendy Tefft. Welcome to my portfolio website!
Okay, a little about me... I was born and raised in the chilly countryside of upstate NY where I met my husband Rob. We left the snow behind and moved to sunny North Carolina after working our way through college. We share our home with our daughter Lindsey, son-in-law Darian, tabby cat Reese, and rescue dog Mezzo. A bit of a night owl, I enjoy playing board games, watching mysteries, scrapbooking, drawing & painting. By the light of day, I enjoy capturing images with my Nikon for work and for fun. I have experience working with growing small businesses to accurately pinpoint and tell their stories; shining a spotlight on what makes them unique and helping them focus in ways that integrate their brand essence into every aspect of their business. In addition to irresistible branding, I combine visual artistry with technical mastery to create print and web solutions. For the last 7 years, I have been working with distributors and retailers in the hardware industry creating circulars, graphics, and social media campaigns.
I am currently looking for my next graphic design opportunity in the greater Charlotte area or remote.
EXPERIENCE
Graphic Designer
HARDLINES DISTRIBUTION ALLIANCE | DENVER, CO | 2022 – April 2024
DISTRIBUTION AMERICA | CHARLOTTE, NC | October 2017 – 2022
(Distribution America merged with Pro-Group to become HDA in April 2022)
As a Graphic Designer in the hardware space, I specialized in the creation and management of digital content essential for product marketing and promotions. My role encompassed a diverse set of responsibilities including:- Managing the entire lifecycle of product imagery, from sourcing and processing images using Photoshop to uploading finalized data and images via FTP and ensuring accurate integration into the promotions database.
- Designing and updating promotional materials such as imprints, themes, callouts, and social media graphics utilizing Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
- Maintaining and updating vendor contacts, product images, and information to ensure accuracy and compliance with branding guidelines.
- Coordinating with vendors, retail partners, and internal departments to troubleshoot issues, confirm product additions, communicate updates, and meet print deadlines.
- Creating and managing content for print and digital advertisements, ensuring accurate representation of product details and adherence to marketing objectives.
- Working on special projects as needed, such as warehouse catalogs and thematic image campaigns, which require collaborative planning and execution to enhance product visibility and appeal.
- Continuously monitoring and adapting to industry best practices for digital content creation.
NASCAR Hall of Fame Photographer
MAGIC MEMORIES (SHARPSHOOTERS) | CHARLOTTE, NC | 2015 – 2017
- Provide photography for exhibits, media events, member events, and corporate events.
- Provide professional photographs for tourists and VIP guests.
- Capture and edit green screen images.
- Follow quality assurance guidelines and templates as per company standards.
- Provide excellent customer service.
- Directed guests to view and purchase their portraits.
- Manipulate and enhance digital images to create desired effects, using Darkroom and Photoshop.
Freelance Graphic & Web Designer
FREELANCE | 2013 – PRESENT
- Design marketing materials for print and web.
- Joomla based web development and content management.
- Social media management.
Self Employed
RALEIGH, NC
SPOTLIGHT CREATIVE GROUP INC. | FOUNDER/VISUAL STRATEGIST | 2010-2013
FREELANCE DBA SPOTLIGHT DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY | 2000-2010
- Developed irresistible branding: strategy, design, brand guides, and marketing materials.
- Collaborated with vendors to ensure style consistency with other marketing materials.
- Created Joomla based websites, provided web maintenance and content management.
- Developed design deliverables that elevated, differentiated, and functioned on-brand and on-strategy.
- Maintained consistent use of graphic imagery for print and online marketing campaigns.
- Designed advertisements, tradeshow banners and signage from concept to completion.
- Designed art and copy layouts for direct mail advertising material.
- Provided product, portrait, and location photography.
- Translated complex concepts and data into compelling visuals for media outreach.
- Provided social media strategy, training, and support.
Art Teacher
WAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | RALEIGH, NC | 2001 – 2002
- Taught grades K-5 through 12th.
- Classroom management.
- Prepared lesson plans for each grade.
- Integrated the curriculum with subjects including: science, math, history & reading.
- Mentored a student helper.
- Assisted high school students with portfolio preparation.
- Selected and prepared works for competitions.
- Evaluated and graded student projects.
Portrait Studio Manager | Photographer
CPI CORP. | RALEIGH, NC 1995 - 1998 | NEW HARTFORD, NY 1994 - 1995 | CARY, NC 2005 - 2007
- Tracked and managed inventory of all studio products and equipment.
- Facilitated weekly studio appointments and walk-ins.
- Directed guests to view and purchase their portraits.
- Selected and altered secondary photographic features such as backdrops and lighting.
- Increased profits through effective sales training and troubleshooting profit loss areas.
- Reported to the district manager regarding all studio and staff issues.
- Trained and developed new associates on POS system and key sales tactics.
- Generated repeat business through exceptional customer service.
- Hired, trained and evaluated staff in photography, customer service, sales and marketing.
- Determined customer needs by asking relevant questions and listening actively to the responses.
Ad Designer
ONEIDA MADISON PENNYSAVER | NEW HARTFORD, NY | 1993 - 1994
- Designed art and copy layouts for weekly publication.
- Created aesthetically-pleasing advertisements.
- Carefully prepared design layouts into prepress files for offset printing.
- Interfaced with the art director, sales department, and production manager.
EDUCATION
Associate of Applied Science Degree
ADVERTISING DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Mohawk Valley Community College | Utica, NY | 1992
SKILLS
Expertise Area
Creative, hands-on professional with expertise in graphic design, web development, photography, and project management.
Brand Identity
Photoshop
Joomla
Illustrator
Photography
InDesign
Social Media
Acrobat
PORTFOLIO
View My Work
Please click below to view items from my portfolio.
Design Portfolio
Photography Portfolio
TESTIMONIALS
‘ Wendy took on a project that included a short runway, new company logo, branding, colors, research in the industry. She hit the nail on the head, asked the right questions and came up with a logo and brand that I fell in love with and appeals to everyone. Frankly she did more work than what was in the SOW and all of it on time, in order, and with all details. Highly recommend Wendy. ’
‘ I worked with Wendy on a range of important details for my marketing. I found her to be extremely helpful in creative design, follow through, and implementation. It was SO GREAT to be able to delegate key pieces of graphic design and website work to her, and not have to worry about it. Thanks Wendy!! ’
‘ Wendy was very easy to work with and had good recommendations of ways to improve our website- yet keep management simple. She was responsive and reachable, and went out of her way to make sure we understood what was needed. ’
‘ I hired Wendy to create the front and back cover for my book, I AM Bound and Determined. I gave her a very basic concept and relied on her expertise to complete the project. After Wendy asked me a number of questions, she was visibly excited about the project. Within a very short period of time, she presented her concepts and I couldn't have been more pleased! She took an idea that I could barely verbalize and she made it come to fruition better than I could imagine. I highly recommend Wendy for any graphic design work. Thank you, Wendy! ’
‘ Wendy designed a very effective and professional brochure for our company. She was quite gracious and patient in working with us to create just the look and purposeful content layout we were looking for. She offered her creative suggestions but also listened intently to our discussions, questions and desires. A great experience. We would definitely call Wendy again!’
CONTACT ME
704-699-5407
Mobile
spotlightnc@gmail.com
Email
Concord, NC
Location