Jennifer
Embree
UX/UI Designer & Product Strategist
Experience
Graphic Designer
Nimbus Publishing
Halifax, NS · September 2009–July 2025
- Designed and produced ~30 print and digital titles annually, using hierarchy, typography, and imagery to support reader comprehension and brand goals.
- Collaborated with authors, editors, illustrators, and photographers through iterative design refinements—interiors typically finalized within 2 weeks, while covers underwent multi-round review with editorial, marketing, and sales teams spanning weeks to months.
- Managed end-to-end production on 10+ titles per seasonal catalogue, coordinating assets, scheduling, and vendor communication from initial concepts through print-ready files.
- Designed 21 titles that won or were nominated for the Atlantic Book Awards, Nova Scotia/Dartmouth Book Awards, and Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award, including 12 personal wins.
- Designed all 9 books in the Be a Nature Detective series, including the Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award–winning title and two OLA Silver Birch Award nominees.
Freelance Graphic & UX/UI Designer
Various Clients
Atlantic Canada, Ontario & BC · June 2007–Present
- Plan and execute visual systems across print and digital touchpoints, ensuring consistency across posters, packaging, and web for 10+ clients.
- Primarily posters and event advertising, with occasional brand collateral, logos, and web—now also offering UX/UI and product design services.
Owner, Trainer & Instructor
Happy Hooligans K9 Training
Atlantic Canada & Vancouver, BC · May 2015–Present
- Run an independent dog-training business since 2015, managing all client communication, scheduling, enrolment, social media, and payments—re-established after relocating from Halifax to Vancouver in 2025.
- Taught 2–3 group agility and hoopers classes, 4–5 days per week (4–6 participants per class), plus private lessons and workshops; retained clients up to 8 years, many returning with multiple dogs.
- Built website from scratch using Claude Code—happyhooligansk9training.ca—handling all front-end code, structure, and content personally.
- Active competitor and coach in dog agility for 15+ years; competition highlights include first in the 24-inch division at the 2022 Battle of the Atlantic and 4 podium finishes at NS/NL Regionals.
Graphic Design Practicum
Nova Scotia Community College
Dartmouth, NS · May 2009 (1-month placement)
- Completed a one-month design work placement at the close of the Graphic Design diploma program, working directly for the college.
- Designed a 32-page issue of NSCC's Success Magazine, plus a companion convocation booklet and event advertisements, for the 2009 graduating class.
Production Manager & Arts/Lit Editor
The Argosy
Sackville, NB · September 2002–May 2005
- Advanced from Layout Editor to Production Manager within one year; designed and produced the weekly student newspaper under tight, recurring deadlines.
- Coordinated with section editors and contributors to plan layouts, manage content flow, and ensure print readiness each issue.
Co-op Student
Salter Street Studio
Halifax, NS · 1999–2000
- Completed a high-school co-op placement at a Halifax film and television production company, shadowing staff on set, in animation, and in sound design.
Education
Certificate in UX Design
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Vancouver, BC · September 2025–April 2026
- Coursework in user research, interaction design, animation, information architecture, prototyping, and usability testing.
Diploma, Graphic Design
Nova Scotia Community College
Dartmouth, NS · September 2008–May 2009
- Print, branding, web, and logo design; Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.
Bachelor of Arts, English
Mount Allison University
Sackville, NB · September 2001–May 2005
- Minor: Classics
Awards
CBC Bookie Award — Best Book Cover
CBC Book Club Awards
February 2011
- Awarded for the cover redesign of Kiss the Joy as It Flies by Sheree Fitch (Nimbus Publishing).
Salty Ink "Judge a Book by Its Cover" — Second Runner-Up
Salty Ink
December 2011
- Recognized for the cover design of You Could Believe in Nothing (Nimbus Publishing).
Atlantic & Hackmatack Book Award Wins
Nimbus Publishing
Ongoing
- 12 personal design wins across Atlantic Book Awards, Nova Scotia/Dartmouth Book Awards, and Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award, from 21 nominated titles.
- Designed the Hackmatack-winning Touch of Gold and shortlisted titles including Wolverine, Little Thunder: An Eel Fishing Story, and Be a Beach Detective.
Volunteer & Board
Regional Director, NS & NL
Agility Association of Canada
2018–2022
- Represented Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador stakeholder interests on the national board, supporting program planning and policy.
Secretary, Board of Directors
Condominium Board
Halifax, NS · 2012–2017
- Reviewed financials, evaluated bids for building work, and revised and enforced bylaws as part of general board duties.