I have been working at RE/MAX Mutual Realty in Ballard for just over 2 years! Starting out as an Administrative Assistant, my responsibilities were primarily reception and general administrative duties. At the time, I was a recent graduate of the UW's School of Art with a degree in Interdisciplinary Visual Arts. If it's one thing they don't prepare you for in art school it's makin' serious money right out of college! In fact, the only prep they gave to serious artists was an optional lecture about portfolios, promotions and motivation to keep doing it. Sadly, they closed by telling us that less than5% of art school undergrads were still doing art 5 years later. Well, it hasn't been 5 years, but I'm still doing it folks! It's been tough to create art after hours, especially being a full timer. Thanks to my incredibly supportive co-workers (thanks for putting up with my craziness!), including a handful of very special agents (couldn't have done it without you guys!), it's been possible for me to keep painting, showing and selling my work with great success.

Slowly but surely, I began incorporating my creative abilities by designing and writing copy for fliers, newsletters, postcards, ads and optimizing photos with Adobe Photoshop. Soon enough, I found myself teaching classes, hosting seminars and acting as an artistic consultant. The staff and agents at RE/MAX Mutual Realty gave me the stability and emotional support I needed to maintain the confidence to do what I do best... all the time! Thanks to my promotion last summer 2006, I have concentrated on learning more about the graphic arts, illustration, web development, writing for business, networking, marketing and self-promotion. It has been so wonderful working with agents for their independent businesses and I am excited to move forward as a part-timer/freelancer.

As a continuing ed student with the UW Extension, the Multimedia Design & Production certificate program has me focused on digital imagery, interactive web development and project management. While it may take a minute for me to have answers to all your questions, remain assured that my goal is to help you be and look your best! I have a feeling that my best clients are the ones that need no convincing - if that's you, help me spread the word! Send me a testimonial (ingrid@mutualrealty.org) and I'll link you on my upcoming design portfolio website. Please review the following announcement (sent today with the Weekly Reader) and contact me with any questions. Thanks, everyone!!
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As of Monday, March 12, 2007, Ingrid Alvarez, head of Creative Marketing & IT at RE/MAX Mutual Realty In Ballard, will be working part-time and providing design, branding, web and educational services on a freelance basis.

This means that any one-on-one time with agents will be BY APPOINTMENT ONLY . All projects will be billed directly to the agent and payable directly to Ingrid. The awesome news?
Let's break it down:

1. Support a local artist in her endeavors to spread art around the world!!!!
2. Work with ingr!d onsite (RE/MAX In Ballard) or offsite
3. Hire ingr!d for design, branding, writing or web projects
4. Hire ingr!d for private tutorials & consultation
5. Attend affordable classes & workshops on various subjects
6. Outsource your work locally
7. Build your referrals & networking
8. Support the arts!


ingr!d's new schedule (subject to change):
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Wednesday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.