More About Me
Read more about my journey below or click on my personal projects to see what I have been up to on my off time!
My name is Deborah Christiansen, but most people call me Deb.
When I was little I knew I was going to be an artist. It wasn't until a few years after I graduated high school that I realized I wanted to go digital. Once I did it was pretty obvious! I mean, I was part of the yearbook club for two of the four years of my high school career and I loved using some of the Adobe software for my AV class like AfterEffects and Animate.
Once I realized that Graphic Design was the field I wanted to tackle I transferred to Upper Iowa University (UIU) once I achieved my Associate's degree in Liberal Arts in early 2020. I finished my Bachelor's degree with a major in Graphic Design and a minor in Marketing at UIU in December of 2022.
But before I graduated, in the early summer of 2021 I got hired at Print Express in Independence, Iowa as a graphic designer, production assistant, and customer service. I was basically doing a little bit of everything from printing to designing and handling walk-ins. Print Express specializes in small printing (i.e. invites, flyers, brochures, etc.), they also specialize in cookbooks as they bought a few cookbook businesses.
Not only do I get to design, but I also get to learn the ins and outs of the printed work!
Like whether a document has bleed, how many documents (up) can fit on a sheet of paper, how to impose documents, and other printer settings. Another thing is what is the right paper to use for the type of order. For instance, invites and business cards are usually printed on papers like 100# cover and C1S. Things like invoices can be printed on 2 pt or 3 pt carbonless paper. There is a lot to learn but it is really interesting and worth learning!
Near the end of the summer, I met my partner. Almost a year later, in August 2022, I moved in with him. Since Cedar Rapids was an hour away from Print Express, I unfortunately had to find a job closer to home. I did so in October of 2022 at AlphaGraphics. I was able to work part-time until my graduation in December of that same year.
Fast forward again to the following summer, 2023, when I was tasked with making signs for the Owen Skelley Field. Working with a nonprofit organization, whose cause (suicide prevention) was something I was passionate about. It was humbling working with them and was one of the reasons I love creating art; to be a part of something bigger and help successfully market business and organization's target market.
This event really inspired a lightbulb reaction!
After attending the reveal of the signs at the baseball field, it felt great to make an impact on a community and I wanted to continue to do that. I began working to find a volunteer position that would help a subject I am passionate about. Not only that but I wanted to branch out printing into online and social media graphics. That is my ultimate goal, to be able to have experience in all fields of graphic design.
In September I was able to land a position at Save the Water, as a Marketing Associate: Graphic Design. They had me get to work right away for the Gala Event for October. I was able to focus on using the branding book to make printed designs. I got to collaborate and maintain communication with a team of my peers and allocate designs to get done by their deadlines.
After the event, a lot of volunteers in the marketing department left, including the Marketing Director. Because of that, I saw a chance to step up and lead who was left, at least until we had a replacement. The President took note of this and after I spearheaded a project, she offered me a promotion to Marketing Director. As of January 1st, 2024 I became Marketing Director at Save the Water.
But what about outside of work? Are you passionate about anything else?
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Things like video games, TV shows, anime, and recently board games. Whenever I have free time, which is unfortunately not often, I like to game casually. Games like Sims 3, Spore, Stardew Valley, etc. Also after meeting my partner, I got into board games like Wingspan, The Night Cage, and recently Ark Nova.
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Before working as a graphic designer, I worked as a kennel attendant at two different vets collectively for over four years! I took care of boarding/injured cats and dogs. Walking, feeding, watering, cleaning the kennels, bathing the animals, etc. I learned to be patient with them and made me care even more about them. Ultimately, that is why I had to leave. But that does not mean I have not stopped caring. I continue to donate money, food and supplies, and adopt animals when I feel like I can do the commitment. In the past, I had adopted a cat and some pet rats. After my last pet rat passed I decided that I was ready to rescue a dog and on October 29th we officially adopted Stracko (now Zhaitan/Zhai Zhai).
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Going to antique/second-hand stores is a weekend favorite of mine. I have found crafts, books, clothes, etc. It is nice to get lost in a store and just walk around. And you spend less money than regular shopping!
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And I love nature in general. So bringing plants inside I feel really livens up the house. It is an amazing feeling to wake up and see new growth on your plants! My favorite has got to be the ficus ginseng bonsai trees. I have two and I just love how bizarre the trunks are!