Hi I’m Carmen, I’m a Senior Creative with a passion for brand and digital design.

For over ten years, I’ve been crafting bold, thoughtful designs that helps brands tell their stories. I specialise in branding systems, campaign visuals, digital design, and brand strategy, bringing a creative and practical mindset to every brief. I love digging into complex problems and turning them into something impactful. Collaboration is key, whether I’m teaming up with others or working one-on-one with clients, I focus on connecting ideas and making sure the end result not only looks great, but actually works. Right now? I'm exploring the world of motion graphics, experimenting with After Effects to bring designs to life.

Technical skills

Photoshop
Photoshop
Illustrator
Illustrator
InDesign
InDesign
After Effects
After Effects
Lightroom
Lightroom
Word
Word
PowerPoint
PowerPoint

My career journey

Acting Assistant Director Digital Communications at Defence Digital

September 2024 – Current

As Acting Assistant Director of Digital Communications with Defence Digital Group, I lead the development of brand and digital content to keep communications clear and consistent. Working closely with the internal communications team I create materials that align with Enterprise goals.

1 year >


June 2019 – July 2024

Senior Graphic Designer at Synergy Group

As Senior Graphic Designer at Synergy Group, I worked with Government and Industry clients to create brand-aligned design solutions, refined concepts based on feedback, guided junior staff, and coordinated with vendors to deliver high-quality print and digital materials.

5.5 years


September 2018 – June 2019

Graphic Designer at Papercut Studio

At Papercut, I created full brand identities from brief to final concept, designed annual reports to WCAG 2.0 standards, managed social media, and oversaw production to ensure high-quality outcomes.

< 1 year


January 2016 – September 2018

Graphic Designer at Canberra Weekly

At Canberra Weekly, I led the design and production of two weekly magazines, collaborating with editorial and advertising teams to create engaging marketing, advertising, and real estate content.

2.5 years

Qualifications and Awards

Introduction to After Effects

School of Motion

2025


Creative Excellence Design Awards

MUSE - Gold and Silver winner

2021


Certificate 3 & 4 Personal Training

Australian Institute of Fitness

2015


Bachelor of Graphic Design

University of Canberra

2013

  • “Carmen is one of those understated, quiet achievers. She's so talented and you'd never know that under this friendly, personable exterior is this brilliant creative mind. I'm not sure she knows it either. That's what I've always loved about Carmen and the work she does. She just gets it. She clicks with the story to be told, the strategy, the idea, the concept and how to pull that all together in exciting ways. It's fantastic to see in action, and even more fantastic when all the pieces come together and you see what she's created and it's exactly what it needed to be, and then some.”

    Jason Perelson
    Partner at Synergy Group

  • “Carmen is one of the most talented graphic designers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Her concept of the strategy and the creative thinking behind a concept is second to none. She brought to life our work in a way that I and the client could never have imagined. She’s professional and diligent and one of the hardest working members of her profession. I would highly recommend working with Carmen to anyone.”

    Natalie Kimber
    Senior Manager at Synergy Group

  • “Carmen is a wonderful Senior Designer who was also my Performance Coach at Synergy Group.  She stands out as a professional who has out-of-the-box-thinking when it came to effectively aligning an individual's strengths and interests with the team's overall capabilities. This demonstrates her ability to balance strategic and tactical team goals to meet business outcomes. Carmen encouraged me to expand my skills, pushing beyond just being a Creative Designer, and improve my utilisation across the Service Line."

    Tracy Ng
    Junior Designer at Synergy Group

  • “It’s the small details that Carmen adds into her work that makes the difference. There are many constraints with the work we deliver and Carmen always finds an innovative and engaging way to visually communicate information to our audiences. I’m constantly impressed with how she’s able to take seemingly basic information and deliver high level engagement and meaning through her designs.”

    Erin Thompson
    Assistant Director, Project Communication
    Defence Digital Group

  • “Carmen has demonstrated leadership in the Digital space both in leading projects and providing technical advice to clients across DDG. In recognition of her high standard of work, Carmen was offered an acting opportunity as Assistant Director Digital. She is performing this role successfully, leading and managing complex projects and engaging effectively with stakeholders. She has contributed positively to a shifting reputation of the team, which is becoming known for its 'can-do' approach and ability to delivery specialised communication support for the Group.”

    Director
    Communication and Engagement
    Defence Digital Group