Somrata Sarkar
MA, BA hons
Graphic
Designer
& Writer
published author/
copywriting/editing/
Illustrator/Photoshop/
InDesign/typesetting
video editing/social media
blogging/ bilingual
objectiveS
I am a creative and driven young professional and recent Masters graduate from the University of Toronto, looking to contribute skills in writing and graphic design to a digital marketing or advertising company. I offer an innovative and analytical perspective, with a solid, detail-oriented work ethic.
graphic design
Over 3 years of experience designing posters and promotional materials. Created posters for events at the University of Toronto as well as general pamphlets, infographics and business stationary (note pads, business cards, letters/envelopes)
PUBLISHED
AUTHOR
Wrote, typeset and published The Bench Crew: The untold short stories with Life Rattle Press in June 2013. Co-authored
i-Robbie’s Guide to World (Wide Web) Domination, for Virtual Team Builders (to be released). I am currently editing Nature’s Daughter: Winter’s Deception for C.M. Stolworthy, an author based in Dorset, UK.
COPYWRITING
Programs/skills
Over 2 years of experience writing newsletters, webpage texts, email blasts, promotional campaign slogans, naming new products & services and writing their respective promotional materials (ads, sales pitches and order forms)
Wordpress
YouTube
HootSuite
Basic AfterEffects
Microsoft Office
Illustrator
InDesign
Photoshop
Final Cut
Premiere
HitFilm
video-editing/
social media
Several years of non-linear video editing experience, including one year of editing and cataloguing videos for U of T’s Centre for Teaching Support and Innovation. I also completed a social media internship at Virtual Team Builders where I managed and updated multiple social media networks (LinkedIn, Twitter, Wordpress, etc.).
achievements
2013
Atom Egoyan Cinema Studies Scholarship
Visual Studies Academic Achievement (for highest grade)
Deans Honor List (2010-2013)
2012
Maryann Wells Memorial Scholarship
2010
First Year Cinema Studies Award
2009
Ontario Scholar
professional experience
UNIversity of Toronto
2013-2015
Teaching Assistant for 2nd, 3rd and 4th year Cinema Studies courses; taught once a week from September 2013 to April 2014 to a class of approximately 30 students
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Prepared weekly tutorial presentations and constructed reviews before major tests
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Responsible for clarifying and elaborating lecture materials within a smaller classroom environment on a weekly basis
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Provided one-on-one support for students who required additional attention with course concepts or assignments
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Assessed student work and tests and provided valuable feedback by outlining strengths, challenges and next steps
virtual team builders
2011-2013
Began as a social media intern and quickly moved up to a leadership role after being recognized for my strong writing skills.
I was assigned the role of head-writer & editor for many projects and was responsible for guiding and training new interns.
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Handpicked to be head content writer and editor for several projects including an interactive virtual training program and comic book (iRobbie’s Guide to World Wide (Web) Domination)
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Innovated and wrote Virtual Employment Benefits campaign, which presents a series of short, humorous truths of working from home (ex. “Hair-cuts are optional”; “Share your washroom with no one”; “Don’t go out for lunch. Lunch comes to you.”). These slogans were printed and on a number of products (playing cards, mugs, mouse pads etc.) with accompanying illustrations
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Central to naming many of Virtual Team Builders’ products—including their main mascot (iRobbie), the Know-On-The-Go audio lesson series and the instructional book Follow My Voice
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Trained and guided new copywriting interns with their roles and projects; ensured their work was consistent with the tone and voice of the organization
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Social Media Intern/copywriter - blogging, updated Twitter and LinkedIn feeds, blogging, writing sales documents, email blasts and newsletters
CENTRE FOR TEACHING SUPPORT AND INNOVATION (at U of T)
2010-2011
Began as a work-study position, where I worked directly under the Communications Coordinator to film & edit footage of events and interviews with leading University of Toronto faculty. I was asked to return after my term ended.
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Used Adobe Premiere and iMovie to edit interviews and events footage
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Used Audacity to modify audio footage wherever needed
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Troubleshot any technical issues that emerged with software, editing or file conversions
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Catalogued videos using Microsoft Excel
education
UNIversity of Toronto
MA
Cinema Studies Institute, Innis College (2014)
2010-2014
hbA
Visual Culture and Communications Specialist Program
Professional Writing Communication Major
Received highest grade in Visual Studies
Sheridan College
2013
certification in digital communications
Received jointly with Honours Bachelor of Arts program above
2010 - present
2010 - present