ABOUT ME

Oh hey! My name is Siara, I'm a 25 year-old Graphic Designer & Barista living in Kansas. I'm guessing you're here because you want to know a little more about me and my background, so here goes.

In May of 2018, I graduated from the University of Dubuque with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Art & Design and a minor in Marketing. I attended school full-time while maintaining multiple jobs and memberships in campus organizations. I worked as a Graphic Design Intern at Heartland Financial USA, Inc. During the school year, I work as the Head Layout Editor of The Belltower, the campus' student newspaper, and as a Barista at our campus coffee shop, Sylvia's. Upon graduation, I received an offer to work full-time at Boyd Gaming as a Production Artist in Dubuque, IA. Six months in, I was promoted to a Graphic Designer role, tending to the needs of a Las Vegas-based casino and lending a hand in other day-to-day design needs. Project needs varied but a lot of what I worked on was: direct mail pieces, show cards, slot toppers, billboards, flyers, garage banners, digital/social banners/ads, emails, logos, and the occasional menu. It was awesome.

I worked with Boyd Gaming for two years. But like many unlucky others, I was let go due to COVID-19. While losing my first job (a job that I loved) was difficult, it opened a lot of room for growth and adventure along the way. I moved across the country (to Florida), I freelanced more, learned how to use different programs. and I had the opportunity to slow life down and enjoy it a little more. I learned to go with the flow more, because life doesn't always pan out how you plan out.

Since then, I have done a lot of freelance work (like, a lot). I worked as a remote Independent Contractor for McGraw Hill Education in Dubuque, IA. I continued to design for friends, family, and everyone in between. I moved across the country (again, to Kansas this time) and returned to my barista roots by picking up a job at the local coffee shop. Now I get to make connections daily with people from all over the place AND sip on some good coffee while I do it. This job has brought. me so many new friends, acquaintances, and freelance opportunities, for both individuals and local businesses. It's been great!

Some days I miss the consistency of a 9-5 schedule. But what I've learned so far is to go with the flow. You'll end up where you're supposed to be. And right now, I'm where I'm supposed to be. And I'm happy with it.

Now that I've blabbered my life story (or the past few years of It), please feel free to check out my work here! If you'd like to work together, feel free to shoot me a message under my Contact tab.