Anna Berken

AI can’t do what I can do

Communicating complex ideas is hard. Prompt engineer all you want – AI can’t make sense from nonsense.

That’s where I step in.

Is it confusing? Is it boring? Bring it. From business reports to legal presentations, I have spent 20+ years honing my skills to explain complex subject matter in a way that is fresh, informative and easy to understand.

Early on, I pursued journalism as a career. At the University of Minnesota, I created my own degree curriculum in Visual Communications to combine the study of design, journalism and culture. I found my niche as a Graphic Artist at the Minnesota Daily, where I made infographics and artwork to support the storytelling of journalists. I spent two years as the Visual Editor, hiring, training and managing a team of designers.

After graduation, I moved around the country to pursue Graphic Artist positions at major metro newspapers including the Denver Post and the Florida Times-Union. I enjoyed the fast pace and creative challenges of daily news. I won awards for my infographic work. However, as the industry met financial challenges, I looked for greener pastures.

Tech industry startups lured me to Austin, Texas, where Kasasa hired me as a Web Designer. I designed websites and print materials to serve the marketing needs of financial institutions. I lead clients through the design process, sketch to launch, conducting meetings remotely with executives around the country and abroad.

I joined Say It Visually as an Explanation Designer. Much of my role was consulting remotely with CEOs and marketing executives to understand their communications challenges. I developed campaigns with infographics, print materials, PowerPoint decks and videos. My work included B2B communications, internal training, sales presentations and marketing campaigns for large companies like Verizon and T-Mobile, as well as tech ventures and government institutions. The best compliment I ever received at this job was when a client said they understood their own technology better after going through the presentation design process with me.

I took a chance moving to Los Angeles and returned to journalism as a Content Designer at The Orange County Register. I started out as a page designer, and moved into a web/mobile UX design role. After the sale of the newspaper and extreme staff reductions, I began editing content and copy writing.

With a lack of opportunities in journalism, I sought work in presentations. I accepted a position as a Presentation Consultant for Executive Presentations in downtown Los Angeles. I worked with some of the best lawyers in LA to develop presentations and visual aids for high-stakes trials. I also supported the company’s B2B marketing and edited event photos.

Fate found my family moving back to my home state of Wisconsin. Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, I worked remotely as a Presentation Specialist for Wells Fargo’s retirement division. I designed PowerPoint presentations for sales representatives to explain 401(k) plan data to their executive clients at major corporations across the country. After a few years, Wells Fargo sold their retirement division.

I joined Cielo Talent in 2021 as a Graphic Designer for the sales team, and have since been promoted to Senior Graphic Designer. I collaborate with executives from North America, South America, Europe and Asia to develop B2B sales presentations explaining how Cielo serves its clients around the world.