Resume
Multi-talented Visual Designer with an excellent record for translating complex data into understandable form through expert use of visual tools, including illustration, graphics and content design for print and web. I am exploring new opportunities to take full advantage of this extensive experience.
Work Experience
Mindfire Interactive
Web Developer + Designer, 2007 - 2008
As part of the Web Development team, I built standards-compliant XHTML/CSS websites for our clients. My work began by creating static HTML templates from designer's Photoshop mockups. The templates were used in a content population process, optimizing the website for a PHP environment.
- Coding by Hand: Writing in source view while viewing multiple web browsers is the best development process.
- Web Design: My dual expertise in visual design and coding was used to enhance graphics and page layout. Tasks included creating solutions when merging client directions with web usability standards.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Websites adhered to current XHTML elements .
- Legacy Markup: In addition to building new sites with standards-compliant XHTML/CSS, I also debugged the HTML 4.0 markup (TABLE layouts, embedded style conflicts, etc.) implemented by some of our clients.
- Print Design: My secondary responsibility was providing print design. This included graphic design and production for brochures, direct mailers and slideshow presentations.
LTSave, Inc.
Web + Print Designer, 2004 - 2007
Front-end visual design for the LTSave websites, within the software development team. Hand-coded in .NET (HTML, CSS, XML/XSLT), created graphics. Focused on core functionality, user interface concepts and content management. Supported marketing department with print media; developed visual design and production for brochures, direct mailers, slideshow presentations and packages.
- CSS Expertise Unified similar-functioning styles, introduced CSS positioning for page layout, wrote styles for main navigation and interior content; designed styles to work in cross-platform, cross-browser environments
- Visual Design for Raw Prototypes Specific examples include the main navigation, Risk Calculator, data comparison charts, Report Card, and login/registration boxes
- HTML Email Newsletter Created visual design, graphics and coding; HTML design made flexible for seasonal content updates; worked within the technical parameters defined by third-party vendor
- Portal Website Created visual design, graphics and coding; updated page design as content and UI evolved
- Corporate ID Unified visual style conventions of printed marketing material (source files from Microsoft Word + PowerPoint, Adobe InDesign); pieces include a pocket folder, a user manual, trade show graphics
Merrill Lynch ITG
Web Developer + Designer, 2000 - 2003
Responsible for the creation and implementation of visual design standards for the US Private Client (USPC) sites of Merrill Lynch. These sites include Merrill Lynch Direct, Merrill Lynch Online, and TRAKRS. Improved and maintained the overall user experience for Merrill Lynch online customers.
- Multiple Responsibilities Created designs for new content, modifying or maintaining current content and cleaning up bad code, usually under tight deadlines
- Prototypes Created full-functioning web mockups of new or modified content
- Content Mangement Consolidated editorial input from marketing, legal and technical peer
- Editorial Consistency Unified standards for grammar, graphics and page layout usage
- Specific UI Designed static pages, pop-up windows and navigation elements
- Visual Design Consistency Created and enforced visual standards for Chicago Board Options Exchange, USPC Online Tours, as well as ITG People, our internal staff site
- Technical Environment HTML, DHTML, CSS, Javascript, XML, using Visual SourceSafe, on Windows NT and Windows 2000
Visiting Lecturer
1995 - 2005
Introductory courses of Computer Illustration and Desktop Publishing for juniors and seniors as part of college full-time Design programs. Encouraged group discussions to build awareness of making solid decisions. Emphasized using software applications independently and with each other. Revealed production techniques, vendor research and veteran "hacks" for getting around software limitations. Based exercises on real-world assignments. Focused on preparing students for client expectations.
- Continuing Education Adapted course for intensive summer workshops and night classes
- New Curriculum Created syllabus, course description and exercises from scratch
- Existing Curriculum Working closely with Department Chairs to insure consistency within overall strategy
- Specific Software Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, Quark XPress and Corel Painter
- Colleges Massachusetts College of Art, Art Institute of Boston, Memphis College of Art, Wentworth Institute of Technology
JWG Associates
Art Director, 1992 - 1993
The fifth largest recruitment advertising agency in North America. Currently known as TMP Worldwide
Designed newspaper ads, direct mailers, corporate identity systems and other marketing material. Formatting the ad campaigns for use by different newspapers was a unique challenge. Serveral of those design solutions were used by our clients for years after their creation.
- Fast Worker Designed and implemented new designs at a rate of one or two campaigns per day
- Unique Production Demands Customized structure of the Quark XPress files to allow production artists of various newspapers to change the size of the ads without distorting the art
- Team Leader Supervised production staff in final completion of the ads
- Clients included NationsBank, BayBank, Stratus, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Beth Israel Hospital
Midnight Oil Studios
Junior Designer, 1991 - 1992
A creative services agency. Currently based in San Francisco and known as After Midnight, Inc.
Designed mockups and finished art for printed ads, brochures, and corporate identity systems. Created logos, graphics and illustrations. Modernized the company's working methods from traditional art-making tools to electronic media, improving workflow, vendor compatability and client satisfaction.
- Entire Project Created and modified new projects from start to finish
- Company Representative: Met directly with clients and vendors
- Team Leader Supervised the work of freelance artists
- Instructional Helper Taught co-workers and principals how to use digital art applications
- Clients included Apple Computer, AT&T, Coca-Cola, Scitex, Philip Morris, Major League Baseball Properties, New England Development, Massport
Marshall Art Studio
Artist in Residence, 1990 - Present
In addition to full time employment, I have maintained my role as an independent contractor. In this capacity, I provide graphic design, illustration, web + information design, and overall content beautification. I provide these services for a variety of public, private, and non-profit organizations. Clients include Federation of Massachusetts Farmers' Markets, LTSave Inc., The Learning Company, International Data Group, Houghton-Mifflin Co., Bronner Slosberg Humphrey (currently known as Digitas), Boston University, Digital Equipment Corp., Proteus Design, Social Law Library
Creative Skills
The art of presenting content honestly and accurately, in a format that is visually entertaining and easily understood by the audience. Tools to achieve these goals include the following:
- Web Development Markup coded in standards-compliant CSS/XHTML for cross-platform/multiple-browser environments. Strategic use of standard HTML 4.01/XHTML 1.0 element tags for content categorization and search engine optimization. Website structures are flexible enough for easy modifications, yet solid enough to outlive multiple visual designs
- Web Design Web sites that are easily navigated (through the use of solid page layout and graphic design principles), and that are also easy to maintain
- Graphic Design Corporate branding, icons, page layout, information design of charts and graphics
- Illustration Realistic human figures and backgrounds for editorial, technical and advertising applications. Proficient in electronic and traditional media
- Print Production Clean, clear prepress (electronic and traditional) mechanicals for full color art.
Technical Skills
All of my technical skills were learned on the job, and honed in real-world situations. The listing below is in order of current strength of expertise (top listing is my strongest, etc.).
Operating Systems/Environments
Graphics Software
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Print Software
Web Software
Web Environments
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Web Languages
XHTML, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, DHTML, XML/XSLT, ASP, ASPX, PHP
Miscellaneous Software
Microsoft Office (X, 2000, 2004, 2008), Adobe PageMaker + PageMill + GoLive, Mscape Iconographer 2.5, Actipro Spider Writer 5.2, Microangelo Studio 5.5