Mike Ibanez

Create visual and digital communications for Cal State Fullerton's Strategic Communications and Brand Management team, part of the Office of the President. The work supports university storytelling, reputation, campaigns and institutional priorities across web, email, print, digital and multimedia platforms.

This role requires both creative judgment and hands-on production. I develop visual concepts, layouts and production-ready assets for campaigns, websites, newsletters, presentations, publications and print materials. Many projects involve multiple contributors, audiences and approval layers, so the work has to stay organized, consistent and visually strong without losing momentum.

I partner with communications leadership, writers, project managers, photographers, videographers and campus stakeholders from early direction through final delivery. A large part of the work involves translating institutional messages into materials that are easier to read, understand and act on.

Digital storytelling is also part of the day-to-day work, including web content, email layouts, photography, video and multimedia assets. I manage several creative projects at once, balancing intake, deadlines, revisions, reviews, accessibility and final production.

Led web, email, design and multimedia communications for CSUF Alumni Engagement. Created digital and print materials that supported alumni outreach, event promotion, newsletters, engagement campaigns and long-term connection to the university.

This role blended creative direction, hands-on design, content management and technical production. Alumni website content, newsletters, landing pages, email campaigns, graphics, photography, video and multimedia assets were developed and maintained across web, email, print, social and event channels.

Close partnership with advancement and alumni engagement staff helped sharpen messages, organize content and deliver polished creative on deadline. The work often moved from design to CMS updates, email production, photography, video editing, project coordination and final delivery within the same project cycle.

A major focus was building stronger alignment across alumni-facing communications, creating a more consistent experience for graduates, donors, campus partners and community audiences.

Provided senior-level design and production support for Santa Monica College's Marketing and Communications Department, creating branded print and digital materials for departments, programs, events and campus communication needs.

The work centered on clear layout, strong typography, visual hierarchy, accuracy and clean production. Campus partners brought a wide range of needs, from event promotion to program communications, and each project required a balance of message clarity, brand consistency and practical execution.

Print-ready files, production details and final output were handled across a wide range of college materials. The role called for speed, precision and sound creative judgment from initial request to completed piece.

Managed creative and marketing projects for UCLA Housing & Hospitality Services, supporting departmental communications across print and digital channels.

Projects included materials for print, web, marketing and internal communications, with responsibility for intake, design, content coordination, vendor communication, approvals and production details. Each piece needed to stay accurate, polished and on schedule while serving the practical needs of a large campus operation.

The role required close collaboration with campus partners to define project needs, organize information and deliver effective creative solutions. It also strengthened my ability to manage several active requests while keeping the work clear, useful and visually consistent.

Designed and maintained web, print, email and signage communications for UCLA Transportation, supporting campus transportation services, operational updates, wayfinding, marketing materials and customer communications.

The work included websites, email campaigns, signage, print collateral and digital graphics for a wide range of campus audiences. Web content required steady attention to usability, navigation, accuracy and timely updates, especially when service information needed to be clear and easy to act on.

Internal collaboration helped keep information organized, consistent and useful across channels. This role deepened my experience in service-focused communications, where timing, clarity and accessibility are as important as design quality.

Supported UCLA Staff Assembly, a university-wide staff organization, through website updates, social media content and promotional communications.

Web content covered staff programs, events, awards, scholarships and resources. Promotional materials and digital updates helped increase visibility across the UCLA staff community and supported staff engagement throughout the year.

This role added experience with internal audiences, volunteer leadership and campus-wide communications where clarity, timing and consistency were essential.

Managed UCLA Transportation's primary website and internal web pages, building a strong foundation in web content, service communications and digital design.

Department websites and internal pages were maintained for operational communications, customer service and campus information needs. The role included web updates, content organization, accuracy checks and ongoing maintenance to keep information timely and useful.

This early work shaped the way I approach digital communications today: information should be easy to find, easy to understand and built around the people who need it.