Larissa El Kotob

Graphic Design Instructor / Graphic Designer, passionate about teaching visual communication and problem solving, with 10+ years of experience in various industries (printing, creative agencies, food and beverage, cosmetics, and more).  Experience includes teaching graphic design students, senior level graphic design, training staff, and managing design teams. 

JAN 2023 – PRESENT | Graphic Design Instructor | VCAD (Visual College of Art and Design) | Calgary, AB 

- Instructing courses such as human-centered design and concept development, logo design and branding, portfolio development, the business of graphic design, design software, color theory, design principles, and more  

- Defining, evaluating and validating student performance and learning outcomes  

- Fostering a positive learning experience for students with varying skill levels and facilitating inclusive engagement, as well as ensuring that the necessary standards are upheld  

- Creating lesson plans, as well as aiding in the design, development and enhancement of the curriculum and instructional materials  

- Identifying areas of concern in the curriculum and addressing them  

- Staying up to date with industry standards and providing expertise in industry and technology related matters  

- Leading presentations and collaborating with external parties during college events to promote student success (including open house, program advisory committee, portfolio show, and more)  

- Conducting presentations and training sessions for college staff (product knowledge and training for the sales department)  

- Building relationships with internal and external stakeholders to promote the college 

JUNE 2015 – OCTOBER 2022 | Graphic Designer | Freelance 

- Developing brand and visual identity, brand user guidelines, packaging, editorial design, print material and social media post designs for clients in the USA, Germany, France, Australia, Qatar, KSA, UAE, Kuwait and more 

NOVEMBER 2019 – MAY 2021 | Graphic Design Manager | Bayt Al Saboun Alloubnani | Jezzine, Lebanon 

- Supervising, leading and mentoring the graphic design team 

- Delegating tasks to team members and delivering quality artworks within the set deadline and budget  

- Ensuring that delivered designs follow the brand identity and company standards  

- Recommending methods to improve the quality of designs and printed material  

- Planning, supervising and participating in the implementation of graphic design projects from concept to completion (including new product launch campaigns, advertisements, billboards, brochures, stationery, brand manuals, packaging material and others)  

- Coordinating and meeting with printers regarding quotations, quality of print material and delivery dates  

- Photographing end products as per required specifications and style 

JANUARY 2018 – SEPTEMBER 2019 | Graphic Designer | Underflow Creative Digital Insights | Saida, Lebanon 

- Developing design solutions such as social media posts, brand identity, logos, print material, advertising campaigns and others  

- Training and supervising junior designers and interns  

- Directly communicating with clients and recommending printing solutions  

- Estimating project timelines, as well as creating and delivering final material  

- Requesting print quotations and negotiating prices 

FEBRUARY 2017 – DECEMBER 2017 | Graphic Designer | YMN Group Printing Press | Saida, Lebanon 

- Implementing projects from A to Z (coming up with concepts, drafts and final layouts for product packaging, company branding, and print material)  

- Coordinating with procurement, accounting, prepress and other departments and following up on the production process  

- Discussing the brief and budget with clients, as well as recommending suitable design and print solutions 

OCTOBER 2015 – JANUARY 2017 | Marketing Manager | Al Baba Sweets | Dubai, UAE 

- Coming up with and implementing advertising campaign ideas for various occasions (taglines and artworks for billboards, banners, flyers and others)  

- Designing packaging and other print material  

- Revising the graphic design team members’ files and confirming that they meet the requirements  

- Obtaining and negotiating prices, timeframes and quality of material with printers  

- Meeting with potential wholesale clients and designing presentations and proposals  

- Designing digital presentations and other screen material including the company profile  

- Photographing products for social media posts and other purposes 

JANUARY 2013 – MAY 2015 | Graphic Designer | Al Baba Sweets | Saida, Lebanon 

- Designing company presentations, packages, posters, vehicle wraps, greeting cards and more  

- Designing advertising campaign material including indoor, outdoor and magazine advertisements  

- Updating branding material such as menus, business cards and others  

- Photographing products and window displays, as well as participating in professional photoshoots  

- Sketching decoration layouts for special occasions 

2011 - 2015

Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design | Lebanese International University | Saida, Lebanon

2005 - 2010

Bachelor and Master of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications Section | Lebanese University | Beirut, Lebanon