Megan Foss Portfolio by Megan Foss

MEGAN FOSS

graphic design&

illustration

PORTFOLIO

about me

graphic design

photography illustration

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ABOUT ME

CONTACT megan@alivemagazine.org | 651.226.6539 4250 Cottonwood Place, Vadnais Hts, MN 55127 OBJECTIVE To obtain a challenging position that enhances my education and work experience, leverages my interests in the creative process, utilizes my ability to work well and communicate with others, and prepares me for a rewarding and successful career. EDUCATION Bachelor of Applied Science | Graduated May 2008 University of Minnesota, Duluth Major emphasis: Psychology | overall GPA: 3.1/4.0 Minor: Art | minor GPA: 3.8/4.0 SKILLS Adobe CS3 (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, basic Flash), Microsoft Office, SPSS (statistical analysis), proficient in both Mac & PC operating systems References Jen Dotson Executive Director Alive Arts Media 1720 Madison St. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 612.284.4080 jen@alivemagazine.org

Kari Tiegs Former Closing Manager Homestead Mortgage Currently Closing Manager Lake Area Mortgage 1030 W. County Road E Shorview, MN 55126 612-719-2765 tiegstwo@msn.com

High School Diploma | Graduated June 2004 | White Bear Lake, MN WORK EXPERIENCE Graphic Design Intern | Aug. 2008 – Present Alive Arts Media, Minneapolis, MN • Develop and design magazine layouts • Organize and edit final synthesis of current issues • Create and edit web content • Assist with the planning of promotional and special events • Brainstorm and generate future profitable projects and partnerships • Re-sized and made final edits on all back issues Housing Custodian | May 2006 – May 2008 University of Minnesota Auxiliary Services, Duluth, MN • Maintained presentable building appearance • Helped lead painting crews during the repainting of dorms Front Desk Clerk | May 2005 – May 2006 South Pier Inn, Duluth, MN • Promoted to Front Desk from Housekeeping • Increased guest satisfaction through excellent customer and concierge services • Processed payments and daily cash transactions • Booked reservations, checked guests in and out of hotel, and handled special requests • Scheduled room cleanings among housekeepers and ensured room cleanliness Receptionist | Dec. 2004 – Jan. 2006 | winter and summer breaks Homestead Mortgage Corporation, Arden Hills, MN • Assisted in loan scheduling and delivery • Balanced funds on checks for loan closing • Answered multi-line phones • Received, sorted, and delivered mail • Filed, copied, and imaged documents ACTIVITIES MB Daisy Design Assistant | 2008 – Present Girl Scouts Leader in the MN and WI River Valleys | 2008 – Present Phi Sigma Sigma National Social Sorority | 2004 – 2005 Attitudes Dance Association | 2006 – 2008

Lauren Melcher Former Managing Editor Alive Arts Media 1720 Madison St. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 530.409.0610 lgmelcher@gmail.com

Research: Student Attitudes and Beliefs | Fall 2007 – Spring 2008 • Extensively researched, conceptualized, and carried out a study on specific student attitudes and beliefs. Conducted experiment and gathered results through in person controlled settings. Used SPSS software to analyze the collected data.

graphic design

personal identity package print

personal personal

personal

b MAGAZINE

I DREAMT OF FINDING GOD BY LISA TEICHER ILLUSTRATION BY MEGAN FOSS

STRAPPED FOR CASH: FACING THE COST OF EDUCATION

A DREAMER S CONFESSION

CRAFTY CARDS & CLASSY CASES

NOT YOUR

AVERAGE

SONG

& DANCE

BRINGING ARTICLE BY JENSEN POWER

BACK! ARTWORK BY MEGAN FOSS

The girls are back.

It’s been four years since Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha graced the (albeit, smaller) screen. But years after the original Sex and the City television series broke syndication records, women around the country waited in hour-long lines at local movie theatres to see them again. In its opening weekend, Sex and the City: The Movie grossed nearly $56 million, twice what producers had anticipated. In the spirit of Carrie Bradshaw, I wonder to myself... were women merely excited to have their girls back for two and half hours of uninterrupted entertainment, or was it something more? In this sexcrazed generation, are we constantly hungry for the media’s input on what is “sexy”?

This from a woman who, from a media standpoint, helped deﬁne the word. And so I wonder, if Kim Catrall is worried about being sexy enough, what is the ideal that girls are reaching for? If sexy is “in,” then what is now considered sexy, and why?

In a recent interview with Vogue, actress Kim Catrall admitted she was nervous to jump back into Samantha Jones’ stilettos. Having turned 50 since the show ended, and showing a few signs of her age, Catrall found herself wondering if she still had what it takes, saying, “I worried about being sexy enough again.”

“Wear this and you will be sexy…”

Television shows us that sexy is exempliﬁed in Sex and the City: Sarah Jessica Parker and her gang of sexaholic gal-pals who live on 5th Avenue and drink Cosmopolitans. The average magazine tells us that sexy is the skin-and-bones super model that covers their pages. Advertisers depict sexy as diet pills, expensive, namebrand clothing, and plastic surgery.

“Use this product and you will be sexy…” “Weigh this much (or this little) and you will be sexy…” The media keeps offering us this promise as long as we buy into the idea.

It’s not that I don’t buy into these promises myself. I went to see Sex and the City: The Movie, and I admit that I have more products (that I have been convinced that I “need”) in my bathroom than the average person could use in a lifetime. The truth is, while I strongly dislike the norms that society and the media have set up for what is considered sexy, I, like most girls, still would like to think that I am sexy. What’s more, I don’t think that it’s completely unrealistic for me to see myself that way. Being raised in a church setting, I sometimes felt told to suppress my sexuality. Never explicitly, but I always got the impression that a girl’s “sexy side” should be kept to herself. One could argue, I suppose, that if Sex and the City does anything right, it’s that it portrays women as strong, sexual beings. And what’s wrong with that? Stick with me on this: God made us to be sexual, and so I strongly believe that a sense of sexuality can be important for a girl. The problem I have, though, is that in today’s society, being sexy is synonymous with being sexual. And I ask: do we have to be having sex to feel sexy? Absolutely not. It is my opinion that you do not have to have sex to be in touch with your sexuality. It’s just an extension of knowing who you are. Maybe you are creative, or spiritual, or athletic; these are all factors. If you can find strength in theses things, and see them as a part of who you are as a woman--if you are confident in your femininity - then you can, I believe, have a deeper appreciation for who you are as a sexual being. And the confidence you exude from this self-awareness… it’s sexy. My question is this: is it pwossible for our mediainfused generation to redefine the term? Justin Timberlake so kindly “brought sexy back,” but can I as a young woman determine what that means for me, separate from what comes through my television set? We are painfully aware of what sexy means in society, but what does it mean for the individual? I think that the scariest thing the media could possibly face today would be women who believe themselves to be sexy the way they are. If we, as women, claim the word as our own, free from the constraints and implications of society, then I think this generation could become a stronger, more confident and more self-aware group of women. Most days (not everyday, but most) I am satisfied with what I see in the mirror. I like my clothes, I am healthy and (somewhat) fit…I am comfortable in my own skin. I feel good, I feel confident, and some days, I feel pretty downright sexy.

Recently, I went to an art show at my college. One exhibit stood out in particular: the artist, a female, had taken and printed 33 photographs of young women from the college community, all of whom were nude. And there they were, lining the walls of my small town college’s art gallery, as if they were saying, “Here is all of me. This is who I am.” I can’t say I ever would have had the courage to pose, but I really enjoyed reading the reflections of the girls who had. Some were skinny, some were not; some were covering certain areas, some were not. All of them had the same look of sure confidence on their faces, and their comments matched. It was clear that these young women, whether they met the media’s standards of sexy or not, believed that they truly were. I thought long and hard about that exhibit. I had decided that if asked, I wouldn’t have agreed to pose; however, I still want to exude that same confidence in who I am as a woman. Here’s the thing: it’s when I am hanging out in my sweats without any make-up on that my boyfriend makes a point of saying, “You look really nice today.” And he means it. He says it’s because I look comfortable. It makes sense to me: when we feel comfortable—whether it’s in our clothes, or with how much we weigh, or how we look—we appear natural, healthy--more confident. And I think that at the heart of it, we feel sexy when we feel like we can accomplish anything, with or without a guy by our side or the media agreeing with us. And maybe you do feel the most comfortable when you are dressed up and looking fashionable. That’s great; just make sure it’s for your own sake, and not for the sake of Carrie Bradshaw.

T For the multi-tasker: Instead of cracking open a canned energy drink, try vitamin water. Most carbonated drinks have a dehydrating effect that leaves you jittery after they wear off, but vitamin water has, well… vitamins and water – essential to both staying awake and feeling ready for class the next day. Plus, they come in 15 purpose-speciﬁc ﬂavors such as “Power” (dragon fruit), “Energy” (tropical citrus) and “Revive” (fruit punch).

Herbal tea is a great alternative to coffee. Tazo’s “Wild Sweet Orange” and “Passion” teas are naturally sweet and known for their invigorating qualities. Green tea speeds up the metabolism and increases stamina, and tastes great alone or sweetened with honey.

For the night owl: When it’s 3 a.m. and 10 pages of a paper left to go, a Snickers bar might seem like the most comforting thing on the planet. Fight the temptation! You can satisfy a chocolate craving and avoid a major sugar crash. Hershey makes 100-calorie wafer bar remixes of Reese’s and York Peppermint Patties, as well as trail mix packs in milk chocolate ﬂavors.

snacking for your study style

article by carina finn photography by kimberly halverson

It’s 1 a.m., and you’ve been working on the same paper since classes ended this afternoon. There are still 10 pages left to write, plus you have a test in the morning that you haven’t studied for. The only way to cope, it seems, is to head to the

nearest convenience store and stock up on snacks to keep you going until the sun comes up. Red Bull and Oreos could leave you feeling worse than before, so check out these ideas to satisfy your appetite and keep you focused while not

sacrificing your flair for flavor.

s a dangerou

itbyejaclyn rainey appetstory graphiics by megan foss

I waited until the footsteps clamored up my front steps and met them before they could reach the doorbell. I wanted tonight to be quiet; no need to wake the neighbors if all went as planned. I grinned at the six broads who had so willingly answered my invitations to this, for lack of a better word, “party.” I ushered IT’S NOT the dames into the living room A PLEASANT where dinner was laid out by BUSINESS, PLANNING A 7:30 p.m. It pays to be timely MURDER WITH A THREE with things like this. It’s not COURSE MEAL, BUT a pleasant business, planning SOMEBODY’S GOT a murder with a three course meal, but somebody’s got to do it. And somebody’s got to take care of those who think it’s just a game. I glanced around the room, my hand gripping my Colt .45 in case the blond in the corner decided to get shifty. They were all here on the pretense of helping me solve a mystery, but no one knew they were about to take a role in it. They exchanged pleasantries and eyed each other, surprisingly at ease for having a murder mastermind in the room.

great munchies, and bananas are

loaded

with protein and potassium. For the organic nibbler: Raw, unsalted nuts are high in protein and are some of nature’s best brain foods. Getting a little extra protein is one of the best ways to boost endurance, so it’s a good idea to keep a small tin of nuts near your desk. While everyone else is ﬁlling up on greasy potato chips, break out some soy crisps and rice cakes. They provide the same crunchy satisfaction as chips and come in lots of varieties, from old favorites like barbeque or sour cream and

onion to gourmet ﬂavors like olive oil and feta. For the group studier: Baked tortilla chips and chunky salsa are healthy, full of ﬂavor and made for sharing. Fresh veggies with light dip are also a great option, and the crunch factor can help keep you awake. Frozen mini spring rolls and pizza bagels, which can be cooked quickly and easily in a microwave, are also good if you exercise portion control. Make the whole box and share it with a few friends – you’ll be sure to get just the right amount!

By now it was 9 p.m. This was a tough job, gritty, but games like this gave me the edge I needed. I tipped my fedora to hide the guilty look in my eyes and watched as the final clues came out with dessert. As the six dames helped themselves to more angel food cake I wondered if they knew one would be playing a harp tonight. And so, business is business. At 9:30 p.m, they all suddenly sprang to their feet and accused one another. A tense moment, fingers pointed at other pointing fingers, and these dames all shouted about why they were innocent. The moment had come, and they stared open-mouthed at the cassette to see who was the guilty one. I reached for my Colt .45 because he was the only partner who never let me down. As realization dawned on each of their faces, I decided these dames had gotten THIS WAS The second round of clues was dispensed too wise. After all no one likes their A TOUGH JOB, with the main course, and I watched the dames wise. I drew my hand from my GRITTY, BUT GAMES six broads start to get wise. I paused a coat pocket and pointed it at the one I LIKE THIS GAVE moment when a guest was forced to sing needed to take out, hoping that she was ME THE EDGE I and dance to attempt to clear her name, slower then she looked. She turned to and had to hide behind the pantry door to me with the look of someone who knew hide my roguish grin. They accused each other how this game was played and... as I patiently egged them on, closer to the truth, wondering who would be smart enough to notice the clues all pointed to me. A cassette tape of evidence helped further the story line and clues, but I wasn’t worried. After all, no alibi spoke as loudly as my .45.

The ﬁrst round of clues came out with the ﬁrst course, and I watched them all start questioning each other about motives. If you ask me, dames don’t need a motive; they just have one by nature. There was a hectic part when a leggy brunette skipped evidence she was supposed to reveal, but IF YOU ASK things smoothed out when the ME, DAMES DON’T others caught on and demandNEED A MOTIVE, ed to know. I breathed easy THEY JUST HAVE ONE again, saw that the gig was BY NATURE. right on schedule, and helped myself to more punch.

Next month the theme is a 1930’s English manor and I hope my future guests all have an appetite for crime and a taste for mystery. Who knew murder could be such a picnic?

It was a dreary Monday, 7:20 p.m. The proceedings were supposed to begin at 7, but you could always trust dames to be late. I saw that tonight was going to be no walk in the park when a broad called me to say I gave her crap directions. She had legs that wouldn’t quit and a mouth that really never stopped either. She wasn’t the ﬁrst to call me that night and she wouldn’t be the last. I got that all too familiar feeling in the pit of my stomach. Trouble was brewing. Tonight I was “Run-Around” Sue and I had a murder to commit.

If chocolate isn’t your thing, fruit snacks are a great alternative – many varieties actually contain real fruit. That being said, actual fruit is also a great late-night option. Apple slices with peanut butter make a great combination with an added protein boost, and many grocery stores sell pre-cut apples with singleserving cups of peanut butter in the produce section. Pomegranate seeds make