Janie Ottwell
I
A little about me
Hello! I am a UX/Graphic Designer in the midst of switching my career to Paralegal.
Detail-oriented professional with a background in graphic design, now pursuing a career in the legal field. Adept at research, document preparation, proofreading, and analytical problem-solving, with a strong eye for detail and organization. Proven ability to manage multiple projects, meet tight deadlines, and communicate effectively—skills that translate seamlessly into legal support roles. Currently completing Paralegal Certificate Course and eager to apply design thinking, precision, empathy, and critical reasoning to support legal teams in delivering exceptional client service.
I am also a writer and proofreader. Yes, I did write (and edit many, many times) the copy in my portfolio. Ask me about freelance work!
Portfolio
My original portfolio was a physical collection showcasing printed samples of my work, but it was unfortunately lost some years ago. Now, I’m excited to present Portfolio 2.0—a dynamic, online collection of my recent design projects. It’s a work in progress, so be sure to check back frequently for new updates!
Resume
My journey in graphic design began as the editor of my high school
literary magazine, where I first discovered my passion for design. I
honed my skills working the night shift at a printing press,
learning the technical nuances of preparing files for print. Over
the years, I gained diverse experience working in in-house graphic
design departments, boutique ad agencies, and large corporate advertising
agencies. I later transitioned into UX/UI design, applying my creative expertise and technical foundation to the digital space.
Now, I am mixing things up and pursuing paralegal studies to further develop my skills in communication, empathy, organization, and critical thinking.
Highlights
UX/Graphic Designer Transitioning to Paralegal
Detail-oriented and creative professional with a background in graphic design, now pursuing a career in the legal field. Adept at research, document preparation, proofreading, and analytical problem-solving, with a strong eye for detail and organization. Proven ability to manage multiple projects, meet tight deadlines, and communicate effectively—skills that translate seamlessly into legal support roles. Currently completing Paralegal Certificate Course and eager to apply design thinking, precision, and critical reasoning to support legal teams in delivering exceptional client service.
- Graphic Design / UX/UI Design
- Copywriting, Editing, Proofreading
- Research
- Project Management
- Customer Service/Management Experience
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Microsoft Office Suite
- HTML5/CSS3
Education
Paralegal Associate of Arts and Sciences
Dallas College, Dallas, Texas
Paralegal Certificate
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Certificate
SMU Continuing & Professional Education
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
Professional Experience
Graphic Designer/Proofreader
Silver Owl Creative, Dallas, Texas
- Manages multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines.
- Writes and edits copy to fit the message of each project.
- Elevates manuscript quality by meticulously reviewing and correcting grammatical, punctuation, and formatting errors.
- Improves document accuracy by meticulously proofreading and editing various types of content using industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.
Licensed Massage Therapist
Balanced Oak Therapeutic Massage & Reiki, Dallas, Texas
- Effectively manages time to ensure all appointments run smoothly without compromising the quality of service provided to clients.
- Demonstrates a strong sense of empathy towards clients’ needs and concerns.
- Delivers exceptional customer service experiences, resulting in positive reviews and increased word-of-mouth referrals.
Graphic Designer
MDVC Creative, Dallas, Texas
- Designed and produced print and web projects for clients within time-sensitive deadlines.
- Worked with clients to define requirements, establish scopes, and manage project milestones.
- Contributed innovative ideas during brainstorming sessions with colleagues, which fostered a collaborative environment and generated fresh perspectives on design projects.
- Performed various tasks, including copywriting, editing, proofreading, designing, and producing prepress files.
Graphic Designer
RCL Enterprises, Allen, TX
- Developed creative designs and layouts of school books for children that influenced user engagement and increased visibility.
- Formatted books according to the company style guide.
- Contributed to successful marketing campaigns through cover designs and promotional materials.
- Designed eye-catching covers that effectively represented each unique theme.
Graphic Designer
Kinko's Corporate, Dallas, Texas
- Designed in-house materials for communication and corporate identity needs.
- Accurately and efficiently performed various tasks, including copywriting, editing, proofreading, designing, and producing printed materials.
- Assisted with creating a process that saved roughly $100,000 within the first year of implementation.
Studio Coordinator
TracyLocke, Dallas, Texas
- Supervised production artists, managed quality control, scheduled production artists and jobs, estimated and oversaw all production for Pizza Hut, UDV, and ADVO accounts.
- Maintained file archives for each account, offered creative consultation, edited and proofread files, and proactively handled troubleshooting issues, ensuring smooth operations and timely delivery.
Senior Production Artist
TracyLocke, Dallas, Texas
- Created/edited prepress files for major business chains, including Pizza Hut, Frito-Lay, Pepsi, Harrah’s Casino, and FedEx.
- Handled technical issues during the prepress stage, reducing errors and minimizing delays in production timelines.
- Collaborated with other designers to create visually appealing print and digital media graphics.
Contact
Please fill out the form below with any questions, or to schedule an interview.