Jillian Northrup's Bio
Summary:
I have spent over 7 years in professional design and digital photography working mostly in the retail, publishing, and entertainment industries. As an owner of a small business, I am involved in every aspect of design, execution and quality control, from the largest client issues to the smallest internal ones.
I have spent over 7 years in professional design and digital photography working mostly in the retail, publishing, and entertainment industries. As an owner of a small business, I am involved in every aspect of design, execution and quality control, from the largest client issues to the smallest internal ones.
Designer / Photographer/ Owner:
For the last two years I have been immersed in product and furniture design from small decorative pieces to complete interior spaces. With the help of my partner, I run these production jobs with focus on great communication internally and with the client. I manage the creation of conceptual designs for the client, keep track of all phases of the project and head decisions like paint and finishing colors and hiring and managing outside contractors. I am also responsible for our marketing materials, product and project photography, and branding.
For the last two years I have been immersed in product and furniture design from small decorative pieces to complete interior spaces. With the help of my partner, I run these production jobs with focus on great communication internally and with the client. I manage the creation of conceptual designs for the client, keep track of all phases of the project and head decisions like paint and finishing colors and hiring and managing outside contractors. I am also responsible for our marketing materials, product and project photography, and branding.
My business partner and I work hand-in-hand with the client, devising designs that fit the budget and scope. We turn those designs into high quality products for our clients. We also spend much time creating new products and designs for our webstore. Working together, from initial concept designs to final product, packaging and marketing material, we have developed an incredible creative work flow that is both rewarding and engaging.
Before working full time for Because We Can, LLC I was employed as a layout designer and photographer, working with websites, books, newsletters, letterhead, event signage, brochures and other promotional items. I worked for Sephora in their design department, handling all photography and web graphics. At RedHerring I posted daily articles to their website and created graphics, promotional items and signage. At PBA music publishing I was in charge of all customer interactions, creating promotional materials, web graphics and product photography. In addition, I was the senior photographer for about 3 years for Cafepress.com , running their in-house photo studio, producing and managing all their product and marketing campaign photos and hiring staff, as well as doing much of the event signage and promotional design for their marketing material. For many many years I have regularly done freelance work for photography and design, including many published photos in local newspapers and magazines such as the SF Weekly and Diablo Magazine . I now have an in-house studio where I produce all the product shots for Because We Can, LLC. My partner and I work together to create all the comapny collateral, marketing materials and web graphics as well.
Software and Process:
When designing, I do a lot of drawing by hand, flipping through reference books and searching Google images for inspiration. After a basic concept, theme, and desired look is established, I move to the computer, working in Illustrator, Photoshop, Revit, and ArtCam. If the project is very small, I might start designing right on the computer, then skip directly to ArtCam, where we make our job files that direct the CNC routing table for cutting.
When doing photography, my process is not much different. I start out conceptualizing, creating story boards and doodles, scouting locations, and taking test shots that will define the theme and look of the shoot. Then I move to the studio, or organize the shoot when it's on location. Here the real creativity begins, discovering possibilities not even considered in the original storyboards. A lot of experimentation happens here, which is usually for the best. While it's important to prepare and plan, I work best on the spot, capturing the look and spirit of the moment.
Other Stuff:
When I am not working for Because We Can, LLC.... oh wait... when would that be? Well, in my few moments of spare time I post on my Industrial Skirts blog (a blog for shop-working women and their struggle to find a decent pair of workgloves), spend a lot of time drawing, reading, going to my favorite Tiki Bar, and coming up with a new ideas for our color parities!
*Detailed resume and References available upon request*
