Smartwork Design is a graphic design, production and project management studio based in Marin County, California. Hatched from the freelance design business of Elaine Gruenke, Smartwork Design aims to provide thoughtful and visually pleasing design solutions that integrate perfectly into your business.

Elaine's work as a designer in a variety of industries ranging from publishing to education, financial services, fine art, health and high-tech has given her the opportunity to grow as a designer and manager over the 14-year span of her career. She is comfortable working as a solo designer as well as working as part of a multi-national team, and is always looking forward to expanding her skills by collaborating with new people in new situations.

Rabbit

An "energizer bunny" in every sense, Sammy the rabbit occupies a crucial position at Smartwork Design. A free-roaming blue mini-rex, Sammy turned four in 2011, and is worth all the time Elaine spends cleaning up after him, ten-thousand fold, and then some. Yes, he nips. Yes, he is not always the friendliest guy in town. Nevertheless, Sammy brings endless hours of mind-stopping delight to Elaine and those around him, and thus, keeps Smartwork Design "running!"

Beauty

The Art of Adi Da Samraj. Since the 2007 Venice Biennale in Italy, the art of Adi Da Samraj has shown in galleries, shows, and museums around the world. A solo exhibition of his work ran from September 8 - October 8, 2011 at Sundaram Tagore Gallery, in Beverly Hills, CA. Noted art critic Donald Kuspit has written in regard to the art of Adi Da Samraj, "It is a rare artist that can convey, convincingly, being face to face with the source of Being." (Art © 2012 ASA.)

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Background and Experience

Below is Elaine's work history and educational background. You can also download a PDF of her resume here.

Professional Experience

Smartwork Design
Sam Rafael, CA
Principal
January 2001 - Present

• Design and produce ads, collateral, corporate identities, presentations, book layouts, web sites and more
• Provide onsite and offsite project management for design projects and organizations

afstudio design
San Rafael, CA
Designer, Project Manager
February 2008 - Present

• Provide project management and design services at Bay Area design studio with clients in high tech, education, and publishing industries, including Adobe Systems, Intuit, and Peachpit Press

Da Plastique
Middletown, CA
Production Assistant
June 2006 - Present

• Assisted with preparation of the artist’s work for print in books and catalogs, and for large-scale fabrication for display at the Venice Biennale, Italy, 2007
• Assist with design and production of promotional materials and ads for exhibition of the artist’s work in galleries, shows and museums around the world

Morgan Stanley
New York, NY
Senior Designer
September 2005 - June 2006

• Designed and produced print collateral for Morgan Stanley worldwide from corporate headquarters
• Projects included advertisements, signage, brochures, books, and portfolios for clients and customers, and material for corporate events

The Dawn Horse Press
Middletown, CA
Designer, Production Manager
June 2004 - September 2005

• One of two designers responsible for cover design and interior layout of approximately twelve titles per year, 4-color calendars, photo books, and CD/DVD packaging
• Assisted with web marketing strategies, and developed design and production of title-specific web sites
• Handled vendor relations for production of book and multimedia titles

Prudential Real Estate
Pleasanton, CA
Designer
April 2002 - May 2004

• Designed and produced magazine/newspaper advertisements, promotional campaigns, direct mail campaigns, catalogs, brochures, logos, corporate identity materials and other print collateral for California, Texas and Nevada affiliates
• Handled vendor relations and oversaw print production, including direction of photo shoots as needed

Hewlett-Packard
Berkeley, CA / Palo Alto, CA
Designer, Executive Assistant
September 2001 - March 2002

• Executive assistant to consulting Director of Emerging Market Solutions
• Created corporate identity and marketing materials

Houghton Mifflin
Boston, MA
Graphic Designer
June 2001 - September 2001

• Led production of 300-page flagship catalog for academic publishing house

NewDeal, Inc.
Cambridge, MA
Graphic Designer
July 1996 - March 2001

• Designed and produced advertising, packaging, print collateral, event signage, web sites, and product manuals for high-tech (software) startup

 

Education

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• M.A. (in progress) Graphic Design, Savannah College of Art and Design, 2011-2013
• B.A., Art/Semiotics, Brown University, 1991-1995
• Drawing and painting, Rhode Island School of Design, 1994-1995
• Film production and editing, New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, 1994