Employment

2018–Present: Freelance

2006–2017: Paradigm Communications—Seattle, WA

Art Director

• Direct and design award-winning monthly in-flight magazine

1997–2005: The RTC Group—San Clemente, CA

Art Director

• Direct and design projects and campaigns including two monthly publications, corporate identity, logo design, media kit design, print advertising, and trade show collateral (including signage)

• Travelled to RTC Europe branch office to coordinate remotely operated design services 

• Developed Blue Arm Media with principal creative director as an independent design solutions revenue source for The RTC Group

1996-1997: Insignia Design—San Diego, CA

Graphic Designer

• Design and layout of catalogs, brochures, and t-shirt art 

• Responsible for research and concept development

Professional Achievements

• Proven ability to manage all phases of print-design projects from concept development to execution

• Skilled at conceptualizing, discussing and coordinating cover design and inside layout solutions with creative, art, editorial, production and ad-traffic teams

• Effectively troubleshooting advertising, deadline and budget concerns with managing editor and ad-traffic manager

• Anticipating trends and setting overall visual style. Establishing design templates. instituting magazine overall visual style

• Creating strong layout design and details such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics within tight deadlines

• Working within budget and scheduling requirements. Negotiating and briefing photographers, illustrators, and stock library photography vendors to determine needs of project.

• Image research and selection (commissioned and stock library photography)

• Overseeing designers for inspiration, mentoring, training and project management

• Work closely with creative director on quality control, budgets, staffing and workload 

• Design and manage internal marketing materials and corporate branding strategy

• Create custom illustrations or other graphic elements

• Advanced digital artistry in retouching and color management of images (color correction and image editing)

• Attending press checks to ensure quality

• Coordinate vendor interface, quality control, and maintain strong relationships

Notable Skills

» Highly proficient in Mac OS X and applications including Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. ,Proficient in multiple-page layout design and logo design, and knowledgeable in Microsoft Office applications and Adobe Acrobat.

Education History

1996: San Diego State University—San Diego, CA

Bachelors of Fine Art, emphasis Graphic Design

» Graduated with honors

» Magna cum laude

» Gold Key National Honors Society

» Dean’s List

1992: Southwestern College—Chula Vista, CA

Associate Degree in Liberal Arts

» Dean’s List

Workshops

How Design Conference

» Creativity

» Design Discipline

» Business

» Technology

Extended Studies Short Photography Course 

Costa Mesa College

Honors and Awards

2013

First-place award for Seattle Special Section in the “Print: Client Promo” category of The Marketing Awards competition for Puget Sound-area media

2001, 2002, 2003

COTS Journal Magazine

Maggie Award—Best Media Kit Design 

2000

RTC Magazine

Maggie Award—Best Media Kit Design