Kirsti Itameri

Visual Storytelling | Art Direction and Design | Communications

Message

Intro

Cairo, Egypt

Adjunct Professor at Florida International University College of Communication, Architecture and the Arts

New York Bureau Chief at South Florida Media Network

Visual Instructor and Editor at The New York Times Student Journalism Institute

Freelance Graphic Designer and Art Director at SKDK & Greenlight Media Strategies

Multimedia Coach at City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism

Studied International and Multimedia Journalism at City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism

Studied Photography at Parsons School of Design

Joined April 11, 2021

Skills

Languages

English

Native or Bilingual

Finnish

Fluent

French

Basic

Arabic

Basic

About

Kirsti Itameri is an award-winning visual storyteller with more than a decade of experience in art direction, graphic design, journalism and education. With a demonstrated history of working in the media industry, she is skilled in team management, writing, editing, research, design and multimedia. A strong arts and design professional with a MA focused in international and multimedia reporting from the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism, she also has a BFA in photography from Parsons School of Design.

Experience

Florida International University College of Communication, Architecture and the Arts

Dec 2019 – Present

Miami, FL / remote

Adjunct Professor

Conceptualize and teach multimedia journalism and writing courses from entry-level through capstone/thesis project.

South Florida Media Network

Aug 2019 – Present

New York, NY / remote

New York Bureau Chief

Lead the New York bureau of the South Florida Media Network, the student-run news service of Florida International University’s School of Communication and Journalism. Assign and edit stories.

The New York Times Student Journalism Institute

May 2016 – Present

New York, NY / remote

Visual Instructor and Editor

Teach and mentor photography and video students from underrepresented groups as they produce stories as well as visuals for other students’ print-based stories.

SKDK & Greenlight Media Strategies

May 2015 – Present

New York, NY / remote

Freelance Graphic Designer and Art Director

Design direct mail, print ads, logos, policy papers, annual reports, etc. for a variety of clients including the campaigns of U.S. presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden and numerous other politicians, advocacy groups, nonprofits and corporate entities.

City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism

Jan 2013 – Present

New York, NY / remote

Multimedia Coach

Assist students, alumni and faculty with projects and troubleshoot problems they’re having with WordPress, web design, graphic design, photography, photo editing, video story editing, interactive elements, multimedia story conceptualization and other related areas. Lead WordPress trainings and advise on design aspects of special projects for the NYCity News Service.

None on Record

Dec 2011 – Aug 2019

New York, NY

Digital Media Producer

Conceptualized and designed digital advocacy materials for both None on Record and in collaboration with outside organizations like the United Nations.

State University of New York Old Westbury

Jan 2018 – Dec 2018

Long Island, New York

Adjunct Professor

Designed a syllabus for and taught a course called Making a Newspaper/Magazine, a hands-on, production-based class for journalism majors. Served as a faculty advisor to the student newspaper.

Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism

Jan 2017 – Dec 2017

New York, NY

Designer in Residence

Provided visual design expertise to a cohort of Tow-Knight fellows building and launching journalism-related businesses. Designed materials for the Tow-Knight Center.

Viking Auto Spa

Apr 2015 – Aug 2016

New York, NY

Owner/Operator

Responsible for all aspects of running a small business including hiring, staffing, scheduling, payroll, accounting, inventory, sales, marketing and promotion.

WNET/MetroFocus

Apr 2013 – Jun 2015

New York, NY

Multimedia Producer

Created and produced multimedia content for a weekly news broadcast and website for New York City’s flagship public TV channel. Managed the website and social media accounts. Edited all web copy. Pitched story ideas and shot, edited and produced packages in the field. Pitched, booked and produced studio interview segments.

Council on Foreign Relations

Sep 2012 – Dec 2012

New York, NY

Contributing Editor

Wrote daily posts focused on foreign policy issues in the 2012 presidential campaign and the following transition. Curated posts of relevant op-eds and features, researched and wrote backgrounders and picked photos of the day.

I Marched Along

Jun 2011 – Dec 2011

Cairo, Egypt / New York, NY

Co-founder and Producer

I Marched Along is an award-winning, web-based, multimedia project featuring a series of documentary-style interviews with Egyptian citizens, activists, politicians and public figures discussing what they think the future holds for women in post-uprising Egypt.

Egypt Independent

Jun 2011 – Aug 2011

Cairo, Egypt

Intern

Researched, reported and wrote feature stories, took photos and created infographics to accompany stories and shadowed senior reporters on assignment.

SKDK

Apr 2007 – Aug 2010

New York, NY

Graphic Designer/Production Artist

Designed direct mail, print ads, web ads, brochures, annual reports, posters, flyers, letters, presentations, logos and billboards. Clients were mainly political, health care, union and nonprofit organizations, including U.S. President Barack Obama and New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

Arthur’s Invitations and Prints

Feb 2004 – Apr 2007

New York, NY

Graphic Designer

Worked with clients on their ideas/designs, created proofs/mock-ups and saw jobs through completion. Projects included small business identity packages, personal and professional stationery, brochures and small catalogs.

BlackBook Magazine

Jun 2005 – Aug 2005

New York, NY

Intern

Coordinated photo shoots, researched photos, tracked art, reviewed portfolios and designed promotional materials.

Education

City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism

Aug 2010 – Dec 2011

MA, International and Multimedia Journalism

Parsons School of Design

Sep 2002 – Jun 2006

BFA, Photography