Work History

Graphic Design ± Print Production Specialist
Currently seeking NEW clients and EXCITING opportunities!
Contact me at michaelbirkrem@gmail.com | 920.428.1384

Duluth Trading Company
August 2024 to Present
Title(s): Freelance—Graphic/Production Designer + Utility Player

Thysse
February 2025 to August 2026
Title: Production Designer

American Girl/Mattel, Inc.
July 2011 to June 2024
Title(s): Senior Graphic Artist, Production Artist-Retail, Creative Designer

Great Wolf Resorts
June 2010 to 2013 (as needed)
Title: Freelance Graphic Designer

Econoprint
June 2006 to August 2010 / October 2010 to January 2011
Title: Senior Creative/Graphic Designer

Education

Associate in Applied Arts Degree—Graphic Design
Madison College | Fall 2003 to Spring 2006

Continuing Education—Web Design Certificate Courses
Madison College | Fall 2010 to Spring/Summer 2011

General Education Credits (transfer)
Psychology of Human Relations,Economics,
Communication Skills 1+2 (Oral Interpersonal, Written)
Moraine Park Technical College | Spring 1998 and Spring 2003

Skills & Experience

20+ Years of Professional Experience
(Graphic Design/Print/Visual Merchandising)

Expert knowledge in:Adobe Creative Suite CC—Photoshop,
Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat; Microsoft 365—Excel, Word, PowerPoint;
Print Production—offset, digital, large-format/flatbed printing

Extensive knowledge: large-format substrates, paper stocks, vinyl, plexi, etc. Well-versed in interpreting shop drawings (CAD), mechanical elevations, store merch plans

Working experience/knowledge: SketchUp, Figma

Dabbled in: Dreamweaver, HTML & CSS Coding

Unwavering Midwest work ethic/values: honest, hard-working,
cross-functional team player

Meticulous eye for details: art direction, color theory, typos,
print production/pre-flight, typography

Solution seeker: tenacious ability to problem-solve solutions,
with dedication to company/client success and budget

Committed: pride myself on high standards of premium work and efficiency in workflows

Impeccable sense of humor: witty banter, light-hearted sarcasm, funny memes to lighten the mood–workday grind