OLIVIA STEHR
2026
DESIGN
PORTFOLIO
GRAPHIC DESIGNER ♦︎ COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST ♦︎ ASPIRING ART DIRECTOR
Clear, Consistent Communication for Everyone
Audience-Focused Strategic Advertising
Strong Fundamental Layout Design & Typography Skills
Creative Art Direction & Engaging Concepts
INTRODUCTION
Thanks for taking a look at my work!
I'm a graphic designer and communication specialist passionate about creating thoughtful, engaging visuals that connect ideas with people. Below is a quick overview of my work history and a PDF link to my full resume!
3+ Years as an Advertising Technician
and Graphic Designer for the Menards
communications department.
Bachelor's degree in Graphic Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Internships with the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Chemistry and Biochemistry Department and the Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce/Tourism.
Software experience with the entire Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, Affinity, Procreate, and Figma.
FUN FACT!
If you are from the Midwest, you may have seen me on TV! I've participated in a few commercials for Menards.
EMAIL: OSTEHR24@GMAIL.COM ♦︎ LINKED IN: OLIVIA STEHR
LETS STAY IN CONTACT:
Design Process Overview
Prepare:
Revise the project prompt, take detailed notes, and create a workflow/deadline calendar based on the given information. Gather brand requirements and establish contacts.
Research:
Create a mood board or research similar designs for the prompt. Find imagery and textures that match the objective. Look at competitors or similar brands.
Conceptualize & Draft:
Develop three different concepts (even if one seems inferior to the others). Drafting them out helps visualize the direction. Create well-rounded ideas and explanations.
Feedback:
Request feedback and narrow
the direction. Point out key imagery or language derived from the prompt.
Refine:
Refine based on notes and changes. Going between feedback and refining can be done multiple times to reach the final design.
Approval & Package:
Get final approval signed off by project contacts. Package and organize the content based on its final use.
Professional Print & Digital Advertising
2023 - Current Job
SOFTWARE: Illustrator, InDesign
The Goal:
Create clean and engaging flyer pages that effectively promote a diverse array of products tailored to various customer needs. Ensuring readability and accuracy is a priority!
Process:
Communicate with the advertising team on a consistent layout and theme to keep the pages creative and aligned with strict branding requirements.
Create strong hierarchy through features and type to guide the eye.
Collaborate with merchants to ensure that the information and artwork on the page are accurate.
After the flyer is live, look at the reporting and continuously make updates and new design choices based on consumer behavior.
I have designed over 325 online and print pages!
FUN FACT!
MENARDS is the 3rd largest home improvement store in the United States. With over 350 stores in 15 states, millions of people see these advertisements every week!
SKILLS I BRING
Strong understanding of typographic hierarchy, font pairing, layout design, color relationships, and visual composition.
Effective written
and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas clearly and professionally in email and face-to-face settings.
Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively, stay organized, and maintain productivity while handling multiple workflows.
Creative Branding & Presentation Design
Personal Project
SOFTWARE: Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva
I am fall-obsessed and a perfume fanatic, so combining the two into an aesthetic-looking brand was such a fun project! I love the look of the "bigger than life" type and the art of collage. I used warm tones and a lot of texture to give the brand a vintage - but fresh - look!
Recently, I've been experimenting with ChatGPT as a tool for creating cool visual assets that would otherwise require a ton of time and work. This
honey-dripped apple is an example of that.
I love a good promotional tagline! I got lucky that there are so many common sayings about apples. I used these to create mini campaigns.
Social media creators have become an impactful part of marketing. PR boxes are now just as important depending on your target audience! Curating an experience with the product.
Editorial & Layout Design
Personal Project: InDesign, Canva
Because I'm a native Minnesotan, my family takes yearly fall trips to Duluth, and our favorite stop (besides Grandma's) was Glensheen Manor. This historic site is so well preserved and has some of the most beautiful Gilded Age architecture. This inspired me to make a mock magazine about the family and design of the manor.
Illustration
Freelance
SOFTWARE: Illustrator, Procreate
Breif:
Create a Southern Gothic-inspired illustration and logo based on the artist (Marred) new album "Twenty-Five". The illustration and logo will be used for merch and other physical media. Symbols include old/midevil weapons, southern plants, and deer.
Research:
I was not able to listen to the album before it came out, but the artist described it as similar to Ethel Cain's Preacher's Daughter album. I drew inspiration from old linocut and medieval hand-drawn fonts to create a gothic look.
Reference & Draft:
- Preferred the bottom sketch and wanted the letters to be "skinnier".
- Deer should look even more "linocut" and have more detail.
- Make the overall design more "weathered" and a deeper red.
Feedback:
Final:
I went back to the original sketch in Procreate and adjusted proportions and experimented with the linocut look using more references and image trace in Illustrator. Adjusted the lettering to be thinner and taller. The client approved, and I packaged multiple files and sent them over!
Communications
2023 Internship: Internal and external communications
SOFTWARE: Illustrator, InDesign
Internship responsibilities and Breif:
- Target audience is tourists coming to enjoy the Wisconsin summer. Ranges from all ages to families camping/dirt biking to couples looking to enjoy local breweries and wineries.
- Designed external and internal documents
for promotions and events.
- Worked and helped plan chamber and tourism events to help support the community.
- Filmed and edited videos for the tourism social media and internal chamber commercials.
- Created map pages for the annual county booklet.
- Greeted visitors to the center and gave recommendations and directions to local businesses.
Catalog Map pages:
Internal and promotional documents:
2023 Oktoberfest Social Media Video:
♦︎ Born and raised in Hampton, Minnesota.
♦︎ I love quilting!
♦︎ My favorite movie of all time is Practical Magic!
♦︎ I have 6+ years of work experience in greenhouses in Minnesota and Wisconsin, mainly in customer service and selling trees, shrubs, and perennials.
♦︎ InDesign is my favorite Adobe software!
FUN FACTS ABOUT ME CONTINUED...
