Sofie Praestgaard - Artist and Designer

sofiepraestgaard.com

sofiepraestgaard@gmail.com

Education

University of Pennsylvania, 2019 

BA in Fine Art, English Minor, Cum Laude 

Exhibitions

Live Wire - 2024 | Second State Press | Philadelphia, PA

Car Show - 2023 | The Parking Lot at Fleisher Art Memorial | Philadelphia, PA

Upplysa – 2023 | Milvus Art Research Center | Knislinge, SE

As We Are – 2022 | Second State Press | Philadelphia, PA

Fresh Pressed – 2022 | Second State Press | Philadelphia, PA

Connected: New Printmakers – 2020 | Second State Press | Philadelphia, PA

Betrothal Social – 2019 | Postscript | Philadelphia, PA

Cha Chaan Teng – 2019 | Bedroom & 8-Ball Community | Hong Kong, CN

Please, Continue – 2019 | Charles Addams Gallery | Philadelphia, PA

Then/Now/When – 2018 | Charles Addams Gallery | Philadelphia, PA

Crosscurrents – 2018 | Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts | Philadelphia, PA

Small Works – 2018 | FrameWorks Studio & Gallery | Philadelphia, PA

Residencies, Awards, & Grants

Anderson Ranch Art Center - Scholarship, Independent Projects in Photography - 2024

Second State Press Fob Holder Residency - 2022 Winter Cohort, Fall Cohort

Philadelphia Illuminate the Arts Grant - 2021, 2022 

Second State Press Cindi Royce Ettinger Fellowship - 2021

Recycled Artist in Residence (RAIR) Field Projects Residency - 2019

Charles Addams Award in Drawing (University of Pennsylvania) - 2019

Work Experience

SOFIE PRAESTGAARD STUDIO – Freelance Creative

June 2021 – present | Philadelphia, PA | sofiepraestgaard.com

Independent Art Director and Graphic Designer specializing in branding systems,illustration, animation, and content strategy for CPG, arts, music, retail and hospitality clients. Designing websites (front-end) and web content. Managing budgets, client relationships & acquisition, project timelines, and subcontractors.

SECOND STATE PRESS – Design Coordinator, Fob-Holder Resident, CRE Fellow
January 2021 – present | Philadelphia, PA | secondstatepress.org

Designing digital and print material for studio marketing, education, events, and exhibitions. Mentoring fob-holder residents in design. Previously, liaison between member artists and administration managing day-to-day operations, studio safety, inventories, and cleanliness. Organized transactions and records. Offered expertise in traditional printmaking and digital technologies, file prep, and large-format printing. Assisted with operations and programming for events, education, and exhibitions.

SMOKE BEFORE FIRE – Art Director

December 2021 – July 2022 | Philadelphia, PA | smokebeforefire.com

Art direction and brand design support in a fast-paced agency environment. Reporting to partners, collaborated start to finish on boundary-pushing US campaigns for legacy spirits brands. Created key visuals, creative briefs, social media content, retail activation concepts, and packaging designs.

TWO ROBBERS CRAFT HARD SELTZER – Creative Designer

June 2019 – June 2021 | Philadelphia, PA | tworobbers.com

Full-time creative at a disruptive beverage startup. Translating insights & ideas from executives into engaging brand content. Responsible for design of marketing material, web content, packaging, social media, point of sale, retail activations, and apparel. Managed print production and vendor communications. Owned creative concepting and trend awareness. Head of ecommerce & fulfillment.

SOFT PUNK MAGAZINE – Art Director

June 2019 – June 2021 | London, UK | softpunkmag.com

Founding member responsible for brand identity, editorial design, merchandise, and visual presence across print and digital publications. Frequently contributed art & illustration. Directed freelance artists and illustrators.

Select Clients

Bingo Beer Co, Wynk, Haven Foods, Dimi, American Forest & Paper Association, Pernod Ricard USA, Photolounge, Twee Made, Wet Leg, Moka Hemp, Lorain O’Reilly, Sam & Louise, Melanie MacLaren

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Animation

Budgeting

Copywriting

Editorial Design & Typesetting

File System Management

Photography

Printmaking

Print Production

Project Management

Social Media Management

Style Guide Creation

Video Editing

Web Design (CSS/HTML)