Catalina Valenzuela
Graphic Designer & Marketing Specialist
Professional Summary
Multidisciplinary graphic designer and marketing specialist with expertise in print and digital media, with a strong focus on accessibility and inclusive design. Experienced in editorial design, branding, and digital content creation across diverse platforms and audiences.
Proven track record of delivering high-engagement campaigns and managing comprehensive visual identity systems. Passionate about creating meaningful, accessible communications that inform, engage, and inspire diverse communities.
Work Experience
Marketing & Design
Rick Hansen Foundation
Sep 2021 - Present
Vancouver, BC
- Email Marketing & Automation: Spearheaded email marketing campaigns via Pardot that increased subscriber engagement by 32%, managing complex Salesforce integrations and automated workflows for targeted audience segmentation
- Campaign Design & Implementation: Led the design and implementation of the National AccessAbility Week 2024 campaign, achieving 50K+ Instagram impressions and a 6% LinkedIn engagement rate (3x platform average) through strategic visual storytelling
- Digital Strategy: Orchestrated comprehensive digital strategies across multiple channels, aligning brand messaging and visual elements to create cohesive campaigns that improved organizational visibility
- Educational Content Creation: Developed and maintained educational materials and lesson plans for the Foundation's school program. Created visually engaging presentations for both adult professional development and student-focused ambassador presentations
- Presentation Design: Revitalized the foundation's presentation materials, crafting executive-level slide decks and reports that effectively communicated complex accessibility concepts to diverse stakeholders
- Print & Event Design: Produced high-impact print and digital assets for signature events, ensuring brand consistency while creating memorable visual experiences. Managed relationships with printers and vendors to ensure quality production
- Video Production & Accessibility: Implemented accessibility-compliant video production workflows, incorporating high contrast visuals, captioning, ASL interpretation, and audio descriptions
- Internal Communications: Designed and distributed internal newsletters that strengthened organizational culture by highlighting achievements and maintaining effective communication across departments
- Event Management: Successfully organized and managed high-profile virtual events, including the King Charles III's Coronation Medal ceremony, ensuring seamless technical execution and professional presentation
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborated with teams across the organization and around the country. Served as a liaison between different departments and worked with stakeholders with diverse backgrounds and experiences
Freelance Graphic Designer
Self-Employed
Nov 2020 - Present
Vancouver, BC
Notable clients include Stir Magazine and Electric Company Theatre.
- Stir Magazine: Led the transition from digital to a physical Fall Arts Guide, developing the ~100-page publication from scratch. Made strategic decisions on size, layout, and production methods within budget constraints. Created and implemented an organizational tracking system to manage content from multiple writers
- Electric Company Theatre: Designed a custom newspaper-style foldout print piece for 'An Undeveloped Sound' production, creating cohesive branding where typography and layout aligned with the play's themes
Education
Diploma in Graphic Design
Vancouver Community College
2020-2022
Specialized in print design, digital media, and accessible communication. Graduated with honors and received Excellence in Typography award.
Accessibility in Design Certificate
Rick Hansen Foundation
2023
Advanced training in designing accessible environments and communications for people with diverse abilities.
Skills
Design Software
Media Production
Web & App Development
Database & Project Management
CRM, Office & Marketing Automation
Languages
Accessibility Expertise
Strong commitment to accessibility and inclusive design principles:
Visual Accessibility
- High contrast between text and background
- Appropriate type sizing (16pt+ for web)
- Clear text hierarchy and consistent styling
- Color combinations tested for various types of color blindness
Content Accessibility
- Logical reading order
- Plain language principles
- Clear information architecture
- Alt text for all meaningful images
Cross-Platform Accessibility
- Consistent application across social media, PowerPoint, email, and print
- Platform-specific accessibility adaptations
- WCAG 2.1 AA compliance for digital materials
Multimedia Accessibility
- Captions for video content
- ASL interpretation
- Audio descriptions
- Transcripts when appropriate
Notable Projects
Stir Magazine Print Edition
Led the transition of an online arts magazine into a 100-page print publication. Developed it from scratch including layout design, establishing production workflows, coordinating multiple writers, and managing sponsor ads and approvals.
National AccessAbility Week 2024 Campaign
Designed and executed a comprehensive campaign for "The Power of Mind-Friendly Communities" webinar. Created social media graphics, email marketing materials, and event visuals that generated 50,000+ impressions and a 6% LinkedIn engagement rate.
Electric Company Theatre - "An Undeveloped Sound"
Designed a custom newspaper-style foldout print piece, creating cohesive branding where typography and layout aligned with the play's themes to create an immersive audience experience.
UI/UX Design for Web Applications
Collaborated with developers on creating accessible user interfaces for web and mobile applications using React components and the shadcn library. Implemented best practices for inclusive design while maintaining visual appeal.
Approach to Design
User-Centered: Prioritize the needs and experiences of diverse audiences
Accessibility-First: Integrate inclusive design principles from the beginning
Strategic: Align visual communication with organizational goals
Collaborative: Work effectively with diverse stakeholders
Systematic: Develop organized workflows for complex projects
Adaptive: Evolve designs based on feedback and changing needs
Comprehensive: Consider the full ecosystem of communications
Innovation-Driven: Explore new approaches to solve design challenges