OpEN cOFFIN
creative & Strategy
Welcome to Open Coffin Creative and Strategy, where we banish boring and breathe life into your brand. We believe in the power of daring ideas, and we’re here to exorcise any negative energy and join you as you break new ground. Through collaboration, creative solutions, and audacious moves, we’ll develop a strategy that’ll make your head spin (hopefully without the projectile bile).
About
Navigating the business world is like being trapped in a haunted house,
with nothing but an out-of-service phone, a dead flashlight, and a bunch of
teenagers who think it’s an appropriate time to take a shower and make out.
But fear not, Open Coffin Creative and Strategy is here to be your final girl and guide you through the darkness, armed with our creative arsenal.
Plus, we showered beforehand.
our specialties
Pick Your Poison
Unfurl the vibrant tapestry that is our expertise, where calculated strategy ignites bold creativity. Witness the power of visual problem-solving driven by purpose.
BRANDING
Your brand is so much more than just a logo and colors. Your brand is a living, breathing entity that connects with others. What does it talk like? Who does it hang out with? Would it wear Crocs? Would it pick Freddy or Jason? Check out how Open Coffin can take the spirit of your business and help it possess a willing vessel that attracts your customers.
campaigns
If reaching customers only took one avenue of promotion, marketing professionals would all be rich and bored. Whether you’re looking for direct mail, digital ads, guerilla marketing, or even just a social-only campaign, figuring out how to weave your message into as many applicable avenues as possible is a spicy dance of logic and creativity, and we’re ready to tango. Let’s build a campaign that works for you.
layout
Sure, a sick craft IPA label design is a work of art, but taking a 20-page document about the importance of industrial air pollution control in the sugar processing industry and making it into something just as visually interesting as the label for Bourgeois Small-Batch B.A. Brown Ale #76 is a different artform in itself. No matter the topic, let’s create a layout for your next piece that shares information while being a visual treat. Cheers to that!
social media
Love it or hate it, your audience is on social media. The key is figuring out HOW they consume it. Do influencers hold their attention or gag at the sight of sponsored content? Are we targeting Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, or Boomers? Each group and its subgroups have unique preferences and behaviors. Spend 30 seconds in the comments section of your local news station (unless you value having a speck of serotonin) to see how different tactics affect different people. Let’s find a social media solution that fits your unique customer persona and minimize those all-caps responses.
logos
While we would love to help you build a complete brand package to make your business relatable, sometimes you need that iconic logo to get the ball rolling. With experience creating logos for corporate initiatives voted on by a board of trustees to tattoo-style logos for heavily pierced salon owners, we’ve seen it all.
copywriting
IDK. Words and stuff.
experience
career
Freelance Creative Designer and Strategist / 2015 to Present
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- Visual Storytelling & Branding: Crafted compelling visuals and cohesive brand identities.
- Creative Problem Solving & Strategy: Translated client KPIs into solutions through collaboration and research.
- Project Management: Managed projects from conception to completion, building client relationships.
- A-State Bands Social Media: Achieved 312% increase in audience engagement and 20% boost in clicks in three months.
Senior Creative Marketing Specialist @ Optus / 2023 to Present
Creative Marketing Specialist @ Optus / 2019 to 2023
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- Graphic Design & Art Direction: Crafted all visual elements for consistent brand representation across all channels.
- Cross-Channel Marketing & Leadership: Collaborated on high-impact campaigns and translated brand strategy into visual assets while leading multiple teams.
- Brand Storytelling & Optimization: Supported brand strategy with design, copy, and data-driven optimization.
- Email & Social Media: Increased email open rates from 4% to 20% and achieved a 147% follower increase on LinkedIn.
Graphic Designer & Marketing Assistant @ Camfil / 2018 to 2019
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- Graphic Communication & Brand Translation: Designed pieces to communicate brand messaging and guidelines.
- Social Media Engagement & Content Marketing: Built social media presence, crafted engaging content, and email campaigns to drive conversions.
- Event Planning: Coordinated event logistics for seamless execution and high ROI.
Graphic Design Residency @ AutoZone Corporate Offices / 2017
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- Marketing Collateral & Photography: Designed flyers, brochures, signage, posters, and captured product photography for social media, print, and email.
EDUCATION
Arkansas State University 2017 Graduate
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Minor in Music
Minor in Theater
Honors College
certifications
HubSpot
Marketing Software
Inbound Marketing
Arkansas State University Newport
The Keys to Effective Writing
Writing Essentials
Beginning Writer’s Workshop
John Hopkins Online
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web
Complete SEO Training
B2B LinkedIn Marketing Lead Gen
Hootsuite Social Marketing
RECOGNITION
52 American Advertising Awards 2018 – 2024
2 Optus VIP Employee Awards 2020 & 2023
AAF District 10 Member of the Year 2024
ORGANIZATIONS
AAF Northeast Arkansas 2019 – Present
AAF District 10 American Advertising Awards Chair 2022 – Present
AIGA Board 2015 – 2021
volunteering
ADvantage Founder 2023
Optus DEI Committee 2022 – Present
ADvocacy Founder 2021 – Present
Optus Gives Back 2021 – Present
testimonials
Working alongside Sophie has been an incredible experience. She has a knack for boosting team morale, and her ability to delegate tasks with grace is truly impressive. She’s compassionate, driven, and just an all-around good person. She’s got a killer sense of humor too, but when it’s time to get down to business, she’s on it. She’s the real deal—personable, hardworking, and dedicated.
Sabrina Sturtevant
Creative Director
Swin Dispensaries
I had the pleasure of working with Sophie to create a logo for my brand, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. From the very beginning, Sophie took the time to understand my brand’s essence and my personality, ensuring that the logo would be a true reflection of both.
Sophie’s attention to detail is impeccable. She meticulously considered every element of the design, from the color palette to the font choice, ensuring that each aspect aligned perfectly with my vision. She was incredibly patient and receptive to my feedback, making adjustments until we achieved a design that exceeded my expectations.
What stood out the most was Sophie’s dedication to capturing the unique character of my brand. She didn’t just create a logo; she crafted a visual identity that speaks to who I am and what my business represents. Her creativity and passion are evident in every stroke of the design.
If you’re looking for a logo that truly represents your brand and personality, I highly recommend Sophie. Her talent, professionalism, and keen eye for detail make her the perfect choice for any project.
Lyndsay Ballard
Owner
LenZe Hair Lounge
There are many reasons for Sophie’s outstanding work. Foremost is her ability to understand client needs. She is genuinely invested in the success of others, and cares about what the client is seeking. Additionally, she is a brilliant communicator, making sure to keep the client involved and included in the decision-making process. She is also driven to keep going until the client gets exactly what they seek. Any client will be thankful she is on their side.
Tracey Steele
Creative Director
Art Advertising, Inc.
I put off getting a logo for a long time because I was worried about pricing and quality from designers that I don’t know. I also wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted and was worried I would get pushed into a sub-par product. Then, I saw some of Sophie’s work. I contacted her right away and she responded quickly and professionally. During our consultations, she quickly created a working plan for what aspects of a logo would meet my needs. I never felt like I was being pushed into anything I didn’t like and she asked for my input every step of the way to ensure that I received a product I would be proud of. The entire process felt less like hiring someone to make a logo and more like a creative collaboration to further the visibility of my business.
Max Hughes
Max Hughes Music
One thing you should know about Sophie is that she excels at everything she does. She takes great care to ensure her work is high quality and impactful. I don’t think I have met anybody as creative, responsible, and dedicated as she is to her work. She invests so much time in the careers of up-and-coming designers/marketers as well as the culture of our workplace. She always shows great leadership, teamwork, and empathy. 6/5 stars. 3 thumbs up.
Kaity McLendon
Salesforce Administrator
Optus, Inc.
We have worked with Sophie as our graphic designer for our band programs consistently for the last 10 years. In that time she has worked with us on a variety of projects and each one has been unique and perfectly matched to our vision. Her ability to take a haphazard idea and turn it into the exact story we want to tell is always amazing and her help has contributed to the overall success of our programs. I cannot recommend Sophie enough for all of your design needs, big or small. She will put you at ease with her confidence and knowledge and I know you will be happy with product she produces.
Melinda and Daniel VanAalsburg
Mountain Grove Director of Bands
Mountain Grove School Disctrict