Diane Jandt

Award-winning writer, editor, proofreader and graphic designer, Diane specializes in writing and designing ads, brochures, newsletters and more for a variety of projects.

Diane got her start at her hometown newspaper doing paste-up and designing ads.

"We did it all the old-fashioned way then," she said. "Everything was done on paper. I would type the text for ads on a headline machine and cut it to fit in the background. Our borders were black designs on rolls of tape that we cut to fit the ad as needed."

Years later, Diane attended a local university, where she minored in journalism. While there, she served as reporter, photographer and assistant editor of the yearbook. She then became editor of the campus newspaper, where she basically ran a one-woman operation as editor, reporter, layout artist, graphic designer and office manager. It was here she developed an interest in graphic design. While she was editor, the paper won two national collegiate awards.

After graduation, Diane became a freelance writer and photographer for the area newspaper, then became a fulltime reporter and photographer, where she honed her skills. While her position was covering crime and the courts, her area of expertise soon showed itself in her personality pieces, winning five state awards for writing and a national award for photography.

After taking some time to pursue other interests, Diane was able to reignite her passion for graphic design at a local print shop, where she designed projects such as brochures, newsletters, business stationery, posters and more.

Diane returned to the newspaper business in 2004–this time as a graphic designer at a weekly newspaper. There, she designed ads and special sections, did layout for both the weekly newspaper and the weekly shopper, and edited her manager's weekly columns and editorials. In addition, she covered stories as needed, both as reporter and photographer. At her manager's request, she compiled a mini-version of the Associated Press Stylebook for office staff. While there, Diane won nine awards for graphic design. With the help of her editing skills, Diane's manager, an employee at that newspaper for over 20 years, won his first award for writing.

Today, Diane continues her love of writing, as well as editing, proofreading and graphic design, as a freelancer in North Dakota. Her expertise spans many areas, including technology, books, films and pets.