User Profile

Dawn Pedersen was born in Los Angeles, CA in 1967 and started drawing shortly thereafter.

Dawn moved to Sacramento, CA with her family in 1980, lived in Oakland, CA for a little over two years recently, and is back in Sacramento for good. She returns with a fresh appreciation for the beauty and friendliness of this river city.

Dawn has tried a number of college majors, and a number of professions, over the years. She found a fabulous fit when she finished her BA in Fine Art with a concentration in studio art in 1998. As the Internet and computer-aided graphic design began to flourish in the late 90s, she saw an exciting opportunity to put both her artistic skills and computer savvy to work. She has since furthered a college education in graphic design and web scripting.

Dawn has been creating online and print marketing materials freelance since 2000. She has also has been employed by a number of companies which have broadened her understanding of business needs and management. In addition to employment as a web designer, graphic designer, and prepress operator, she's worked as an office manager, a cost accountant, a purchasing agent, a waitress, a food service trainer, a sandwich maker, a gas station cashier, a video store clerk, an executive assistant, a proofreader, and an attorney's bookkeeper.

Dawn likes to see "the big picture" at all times, while working to refine the details. She is always striving to keep abreast of the latest trends in marketing, technology and design. However, she always keeps her feet planted firmly on the ground of solid design philosophy. She feels the most important element of design work is an awareness of the needs of the client and the responses of the viewer. She's not satisfied until a design piece communicates what it ought to.

In addition to serving her clients, Dawn enjoys serving the community through teaching and volunteer work. She currently teaches web design and Photoshop at Sacramento City College. She also teaches drawing at elementary schools in an after-school program.

Dawn currently serves on the board for Sacramento's Art Directors and Artists Club (adac.org), is the club's Volunteer Coordinator, and has chaired a number of events for the club's monthly meetings. Dawn has volunteered as an artist for Sacramento's annual Chalk It Up! to Sacramento (chalkitup.org) event for the past eleven years.

Dawn is a member of the American Marketing Association (marketingpower.com) and of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (photoshopuser.com).

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