SAWSO annual report covers designed by Christina O'Hara

Design with purpose.
Stories that connect.

I lead creative teams and projects across digital, print, and environmental design—developing clear visual solutions that inspire action and reflect the heart of an organization’s mission.

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Strategic. Creative. Collaborative.

From concept to completion, I combine art direction, design leadership, and production expertise to deliver cohesive brand experiences across every platform and medium.

Brand & Art Direction

Developing visual strategies that strengthen identity and communicate purpose.

Digital Experience

Web design in Figma, landing pages, email campaigns, and more.

Print & Publishing

Reports, brochures, editorial design, and multi-page publications.

Environmental Graphics

Large-scale signage, exhibits, wayfinding, and interior graphics.

Motion & Multimedia

Animation, video graphics, and digital storytelling assets.

Leadership & Mentorship

Leading designers, mentoring interns, and collaborating across teams.

Selected Work

Restless History website full-page design

Restless History Website

Digital Experience

Independent concept project: brand, content structure, and Figma prototype through responsive development and launch.

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SAWSO 2025 Annual Report cover

SAWSO 2025 Annual Report

Print & Publishing

Art direction and design of the Salvation Army World Service Office annual report—28 pages from concept through press production.

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SAWSO 2024 Annual Report cover

SAWSO 2024 Annual Report

Print & Publishing

National annual report covering programs in 73 countries—editorial layout, infographics, and financial reporting.

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Our Global Presence editorial spread

Editorial Feature Spreads

Editorial Design

Feature spreads blending photography, typography, and information graphics to tell mission stories across six continents.

Christina O'Hara headshot

About Me

I’m an art director and hands-on designer with 15+ years of experience leading mission-driven communications from concept through delivery. I believe great design solves problems, clarifies messages, and creates meaningful connections.

My work spans publications, campaigns, signage, environmental graphics, web content, brand systems, and commercial print production. I bring a practical, collaborative approach to every project—supervising designers, presenting creative solutions, and partnering with stakeholders, vendors, and developers to balance creative vision with real-world production needs.

More About Me

Tools & Expertise

  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Figma
  • Asana
  • Bynder / CMS
  • Microsoft 365
  • Mailchimp
  • DSLR Photography
View Resume

My Approach

Every project moves from big-picture strategy to press-ready precision. Here’s how I get there.

01

Discover

Partner with stakeholders to clarify goals, audiences, scope, and success measures before design begins.

02

Concept

Translate objectives into visual direction—exploring type, color, imagery, and structure that serve the message.

03

Refine

Present recommendations, gather feedback, and iterate with brand, schedule, and budget requirements in balance.

04

Deliver

Manage printers, vendors, and developers through proofs, press checks, installation, and launch.

Core Strengths

Creative Leadership

  • Creative & art direction
  • Brand consistency & systems
  • Team mentoring & supervision
  • Stakeholder presentations

Design & Production

  • Editorial & publication design
  • Environmental graphics & signage
  • Print production & prepress
  • Direct mail & branded collateral

Digital

  • Web content & Figma prototyping
  • Email & campaign graphics
  • Digital asset management
  • Social media assets

Experience

2023 – Present

Art Director

The Salvation Army National Headquarters — Alexandria, VA

  • Lead a graphic designer and seasonal interns—setting priorities, assigning work, reviewing creative and technical quality, and coaching staff across print and digital projects.
  • Direct national publications, fundraising materials, campaigns, conference graphics, signage, exhibits, direct mail, and branded collateral from concept through final production.
  • Present design recommendations to clients and senior leadership, translating evolving objectives into cohesive visual solutions.
  • Manage commercial printers and specialty vendors—specifications, proofs, press-ready files, quality, costs, fulfillment, and installation.
  • Implemented a standardized Asana intake workflow clarifying scope, stakeholders, approvals, and production checkpoints.
2013 – 2023

Graphic Designer & Web Communications Specialist

The Salvation Army National Headquarters

  • Designed print and digital communications for national campaigns, publications, conferences, exhibits, fundraising initiatives, and leadership events.
  • Maintained national website content; designed digital newsletters, web banners, campaign graphics, social assets, and the landing-page experience for a nationwide digital asset system.
  • Administered and curated the digital asset management system—supporting platform migration, user access, training, and content discoverability.
2000 – 2008

Earlier Design & Communications Experience

Physician’s Weekly · Clinicians Group · U.S. House of Representatives

  • Advanced from advertising and editorial design roles to associate/assistant art direction—publication layouts, information graphics, and press-ready files under recurring deadlines.
  • As Legislative Correspondent/Junior Legislative Assistant, developed constituent and policy communications with public officials, stakeholders, and diverse audiences.

Education

M.A., International Commerce & Policy — George Mason University

B.A., Theater — University of South Carolina

Selected Digital Project

Restless History — independent concept project: brand, content structure, Figma prototype, and collaboration with a developer through responsive launch. restlesshistory.com

Let’s Work Together

I’d love to hear about your project—whether it’s a publication, a campaign, an exhibit, or a full brand experience.