REFERENCES& ACCOLADES
I am the Editor-in-Chief of Value Retail News, the International Outlet Journal and the Global Outlet Newsbrief, all publications of the International Council of Shopping Centers. We operate on a skeleton staff – just me as the writer and editor, one production person and one art director. So you can imagine my heart-dropping panic when our art director was unexpectedly hospitalized and placed in the intensive care unit. Luckily, I heard of Carol Dioca through our printer, and she immediately stepped in. Thanks to Carol, we were able to stay on track with all of our deadlines. She was a wonder and a joy to work with, not just because she picked up our design idiosyncrasies in such rapid time, but also because she is so professional and has such a pleasing, helpful manner. She quickly understood all aspects of organizing, designing and producing our various products, which range from a 24-page international publication to a 44-page national publication to an online newsbrief. Not every art director can flow so easily from one platform to another, often juggling all three simultaneously, yet she did it easily. Carol’s experience especially showed in her seamless interaction with our production manager and our printer and in her total willingness to go the extra mile any time. In all, she worked with us for three months while our staff art director returned to health. If I had the budget, I would add Carol to our staff in a New York minute. She’s smart, she has good taste, and she is, without any doubt, one of the most well-rounded designers I’ve ever met. If you have the chance to give Carol a contract or hire her, do it. She’s that good. Please feel free to contact me regarding any further questions about Carol.
Sincerely,
Linda Humphers,
Editor in Chief lhumphers@icsc.org"
LINDA HUMPHERS / EDITOR IN CHIEF OF VALUE RETAIL NEWS
To Whom It May Concern:
As a prospective employer of Carol Dioca, you might like to know how she has conducted herself while working at Sullivan Advertising Group. I recommend her without reservation. Carol’s creativity is exceptional. I’ve worked with her for more than eight years, and she consistently comes up with fresh, contemporary ideas and designs. She understands what the clients are seeking and many times works with them directly. When it comes to new technology and software programs, Carol is the first to master them and then share her new skills with the graphic design staff. She is also an efficient production artist who has never missed a deadline. As Art Director and Production Director, Carol has instructed several graphic artists on a daily basis; set up master documents for large projects; coordinated workflow within the art department; collaborated with a creative team and management; and has done a tremendous job categorizing and organizing thousands of image and document files. She also has exemplary color correction and retouching skills, working with a client over and over to get the look they are after from a “glowing diode light” on a laser keychain to just the exact shade of blue on that rubberized plastic flashlight! She works well in a team environment or independently. Carol has a great knowledge of the printing process, and her expertise in this field is invaluable when working with pre-press departments and printers on the finalization of projects and press proofs. Carol has always been well liked by the entire Sullivan staff, and her professionalism has been exemplary. For all of these reasons, I believe she will be a great asset to any organization in which she chooses to work.
Sincerely,
Pattie Grass Accounts Manager"
PATTIE GRASS / ACCOUNTS MANAGER SULLIVAN ADVERTISING
To Whom It May Concern,
I have used the graphic design services of Carol Dioca of Carol Design Inc. for more than a dozen political campaigns totaling approximately 32 pieces of political literature for mailing and as handouts as a political consultant. I’ve found the quality of her work to be superior. Also, her positive, cooperative and patient attitude with me and my staff makes working with Carol a joy. Since the date of an election cannot be moved, it’s important that I have a quick turn around on political literature so we can use it in a timely manner. Carol has a very short turn around time from work submitted to camera ready design for the printer. In addition, with more and more voters casting mail ballots which are received by voters a month before Election Day, a quick turn around is increasingly important to reach these voters before they vote. Carol has always come through, and at very reasonable prices. If you require additional information, please feel free to contact me at (727) 867-8557.
Respectfully,
Franklin Lupo
Franklin Communications
FRANKLIN LUPO / FRANKLIN COMMUNICATIONS
Dear Future Employer,
Carol was referred to me by a mutual aquaintance to help me out with the design, layout, and production of a 216 page annual. The project took roughly six months. I hired Carol to help with the production of the annual; but quickly learned that Carols’ organization, follow-up, and people skills, allowed me to pass on / share in other tasks. She has a great work ethic, if she commits to something, she will do everything in her power to get it done. Carol worked many 16, or more, hour days to enable us to deliver the annual to the printer on time, and error free. As stated above, Carol has great people skills, and was able to work with our clients Marketing and Merchandising Executives to expedite the approval process, and or obtain content for the annual. She called or emailed over seventy five advertisers to organize and manage high resolution art files, and or gather assets to create ads. She was also very articulate in communicating with the printer, and photography and copy writing vendors. Carol and I worked together during the one annual, and I was hoping to get her help with the second; but I was too late in securing her time; because she had already committed to other projects. The client had made a number of comments that they had wished she was available. I would certainly recommend her to another and company and I would love the opportunity to work with Carol again. Again, she is the utmost professional, and is VERY knowledge in design, layout, and production. Carol is very knowledgeable and passionate about design, which makes her a trustworthy and accountable employee / coworker. I can’t go on more about Carol, and what a professional she is. Our client was the NASCAR Hall of Fame, who employees hundreds of people within their Marketing and Merchandising Departments, for them to entrust, the way they did, in Carol within the short relationship says something. Feel free to contact me on my cell: 727-412-6200 with any other questions or concerns.
Michael Michael Montini
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
727-945-1557 mmontini@tampabay.rr.com
MICHAEL MONTINI / ART DIRECTOR
This letter is a reference for Carol Dioca, an independent Art Director/Designer. Cruising Guide Publications has worked with Carol on many projects for over ten years. We publish guide books for people sailing in the Caribbean islands. Carol has been a welcome creative talent who has been a joy to work with. She combines her creative skills with close attention to production deadlines. Her ability to organize each project has eliminated a lot of potential confusion, when working on the text sections of the books, creating advertisements for clients, placing the ads, photography, and sending files for proofing back and forth before sending the job to the printer. Carol is professional, responsible, and a team player who works well with our authors and the printers. Please feel free to email me if you have any further questions.
Best regards,
Ashley Scott
Editor and Production Manager Cruising Guide Publications
ASHLEY SCOTT / EDITOR AND PRODUCTION MANAGER CRUISING GUIDE PUB
Good Afternoon Aaron Fodiman,
I just wanted to take a moment to tell you that Carol Dioca, your executive art director, is by far the most professional production manager I have ever worked with! She makes the whole process a delight. I can't say that about any other production manager I've worked with. She's a treasure.
Just thought you should know!
Cheers,
Michelle Schwantes
Director, Marketing
MICHELLE SCHWANTES / DIRECTOR, MARKETING TAPS TAMPA & DEVITOS