Rian Hughes
50 Sussex Ave
Newark, United States
#OpenToWork
About
I am a recent graduate from Appalachian State University with a degree in Graphic Communications Management. I served as my school newspaper's Graphic Editor for 2 years, where I created daily graphic content, designed and distributed each month's newspaper, and managed a team of designers. My newspaper designs have won national awards at the College Media Association Apple Awards, such as Best Newspaper and Best Magazine.
I have been a part of organizations such as the Phoenix Challenge, the Technical Association of the Graphic Arts, and Epsilon Pi Tau, a professional honor society in technology.
What I'm looking for
I am looking for a remote design position, preferably in prepress design or setup, where I can positively and effectively contribute to a print team. I love the art of print media and physically making innovative deliverables.
I have experience contributing to a design team at McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers, an independent book publisher in Jefferson, NC. Here, I worked on several projects under 3 different departments: Book Production, Book Design, and Marketing. My main roles include
Experience
McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers
1 yr 5 mos
Freelance Designer
Dec 2025 – Present
- Worked with the marketing team to understand the desired look for book promotional material, and getting content out in a timely manner.
- Designing promotional material across digital platforms, like newsletters, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Social Media MarketingGraphic DesignAdobe IllustratorCanvaTypography
Production & Design Intern
Jun 2025 – Aug 2025
- Assist with project tasks like research, marketing, design, and book production.
- Trimmed and laminated books before bindery.
- Created social media content for audience engagement.
- Designed visually appealing and marketable book covers to capture the message of the content by utilizing typography, imagery, graphics, and other design principles.
Book ProductionLayoutGraphic DesignPrint ProductionCover Design
Freelance Graphic Designer
Dec 2025 – Present
Working with marketing team to understand the desired look for book promotional material, and getting content out in a timely manner.
Graphic designMarketing collaborationBook promotional material
Freelance Graphic Designer
Box Office & Event Staff
Aug 2022 – May 2026
Support the mission of the Office of Arts & Cultural Programs by ensuring that patrons receive the accommodations they need to enjoy a safe event experience.
Maintain relationships with patrons in the community.
Assist with project tasks like research, marketing, design, and book production.
Trimmed and laminated books before bindery.
Event supportCustomer serviceBook production
The Schaefer Center
Box Office & Event Staff
Aug 2022 – May 2026
- Support the mission of the Office of Arts & Cultural Programs by ensuring that patrons receive the accommodations they need to enjoy a safe event experience.
- Maintain relationships with patrons in the community.
- Cover a variety of responsibilities and shifts to ensure workplace efficiency,
- Assist with inventory, restocking, and money counting.
- Process transactions and handle in-person and over the phone sales.
- Completed North Carolina ABC, ADA, and TIPS training.
Customer ServiceSalesPhone ManagementData EntryGoogle Suite
The Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
Graphics Editor
Aug 2024 – May 2026
Collaborate with reporters to create relevant, insightful graphics that add to the story.
Follow the editing and content deadlines set by the managing editors and the editor-in-chief to make graphics visually appealing and accurate.
Assign the staff members at my desk to work on graphic materials (illustrations, info-graphics, etc.).
Newspaper DesignMagazine DesignGraphic DesignSocial Media DesignLayout
The Appalachian
Advertisement Designer
Jan 2025 – May 2026
Designing promotional material across digital platforms, like newsletters, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Design visually compelling ads for clients in Watauga, such as creating graphics and visuals that communicate a brand’s message.
Collaborate with teams and clients to refine ad designs to fit with the clients specifications.
Created social media content for audience engagement.
Digital marketingAdvertisement designSocial media marketing
McFarland Publishers
Advertisement Designer
Jan 2025 – May 2026
- Design visually compelling ads for clients in Watauga, such as creating graphics and visuals that communicate a brand’s message.
- Collaborate with teams and clients to refine ad designs to fit with the clients specifications.
Advertisement DesignAdobe IllustratorCanvaCustomer CollaborationContent Writing
Appalachian State University
Education
Appalachian State University
Graphic Communications Management
2021 – 2026
Appalachian State University
BS · Graphic Communication Management
2021 – 2026
Skills
Google SuiteMicrosoft SuiteCanvaTypographyLogo DesignGraphic DesignPress SetupCustomer ServiceSocial Media MarketingAdvertisement DesignDigital MarketingBook DesignPackaging DesignPrint ProductionLayoutPrepressAdobe Creative Suite
Languages
English (Native or bilingual proficiency)
