Karen Hanson

Background

Karen has over 25 years of graphic design experience in print, video and web. She has held many different roles from Production Artist to Art Director at advertising agencies, design studios, magazines, and corporate marketing departments. In addition to her previous role as Principal Graphics Instructor at New Horizons Computer Learning Center, Karen has worked as a trainer for Turner Broadcasting's Professional Development Center and for a national Adobe Authorized training center headquartered in Dunwoody.

Karen is originally from New Jersey but has lived in Atlanta since the 90's. She studied fine art in college and then completed her Master's in Communication Arts with a specialization in Computer Graphics. While in school and for several years after graduation she worked as a Special Effects Animator/Video Recordist for the producer of the movie "Yellow Submarine" on an animation project called "Strawberry Fields". When production was halted due to legal problems, she shifted her focus and became an early user of the Macintosh and the programs that later became known as the Adobe Creative Cloud. She then worked as a Prepress Consultant for American Color helping newspapers and magazines including Conde Nast, USA Today and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, transition to the Mac. It was during this time that Karen learned of her love for teaching and has taught in one form or another, ever since. During this time, she has created extensive custom training for companies such as The Center for Disease Control, King and Spalding Law firm and Delta Airlines.

Her most recent position before New Horizons was as Art Director for TSS Photography where she supported 150 franchise locations at the corporate office in Duluth. Working closely with the company President and Sales Manager, she led all of the creative direction in marketing and advertising campaigns for the company. Additionally, she developed new merchandise to enable the company to expand and improve their existing product line. In addition to her print work, she designed the look and feel for company websites, microsites and intranet sites, as well as the company's html email communications. Prior to her professional experience working for TSS Photography, Karen developed print and digital graphics for TG Madison Advertising, McRae Advertising, American Color, PRGX, American Cancer Society and Marriott Resorts.

Karen recently moved to Johns Creek where she has been enjoying her daily walks in a new neighborhood, cooking in a cheerful new kitchen and looks forward to her next experience helping her family and friends with their interior design projects.