I am a team player, manager, or also at complete ease when working alone. I have a comprehensive experience in Design, Branding and Print across a variety media. I have a passion and drive for what I do, translating ideas and visions into intelligent and esthetically pleasing designs with meticulous attention to detail. I have experience in both small business and corporate type environments. In my most recent position held is Art Director for a company we create banners, posters, and collateral which involve branding, typography and logo design.

TECHNICAL 
Photoshop 
Illustrator 
InDesign 
Microsoft Office 
Mac and PC environments


SKILLS
Advertising 
Brand Development
Collateral
Concept Design
Consumer Marketing
Design Strategy
Photographic Composition
Project Management
Posters
Promotional Design
Typography	
Information Design
Logo Design
Typography
Identity
Merchandising & Apparel
Packaging Design


HIGHLIGHTS
- Skilled fine artist with experience in design communications and photography.
- Recognized leadership skills and a natural talent for relating to people of various backgrounds.
- Created graphics, letterhead, business cards, stationary, promotional pieces for employers and clients.
- Creative and professional in providing presentations to clients and graphics in the work environment.
- Self-motivated, can formulate procedures, set a time line and follow through to completion.
- Willing and able to take on more responsibilities as understanding of the workings of the business grow.
- Once understanding a work flow, will advance and streamline for optimal performance and organization.
- Work well with, and able to interact with and train other staff members, management and customers.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Have values and business understanding.
- Knowledgeable of various art supplies, tools, cameras, photographic supplies.
- Understanding of inks and photographic printing and printer capabilities and functions.


EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science
Graphic Design Major | Photography Minor
Texas A&M University
1999-2003

Associate of Applied Arts
Graphic Design
The Art Institute of Dallas
1997-1999

Certificate of Completion
Frontend Development for Designers
CareerFoundry
April 22nd, 2022


EMPLOYMENT
ART DIRECTOR
Lawton Reprographics
10/2019 - Present
- Utilize proven art skills and experience to create and implement new projects. 
- Produces art layouts by developing art concepts and providing work direction to staff. 
- Trains, and coaches employees in the Pre-Press department. 
- Meets art department work standards by following production, productivity, quality, and customer service standards. 
- Resolves operational problems, and Identifies work process improvements. 
- Meets art department cost standards by monitoring expenses and implementing cost-saving actions. 
- Formulates art concepts by supervising workers engaged in executing layout designs for artwork and copy to be presented by visual communications media. 
- Keeps customers informed by reviewing illustrative material for presentation. Reviews project production factors by studying budget, background information, objectives, presentation approaches, styles, and techniques. 
- Selects and secures illustrative material by formulating basic layout design concepts and conducting research. 
- Produces layouts for printing by marking-up, pasting-up, and finishing layouts. 
- Obtains client approval by presenting final layouts, storyboards, and illustrations; and responds to client commentary and requests. 
- Improves quality results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes. 
- Enhances art department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests.

GRAPHICS PREPRESS - LAYOUT
Freeman
03/2016 - 06/2018
- Work in a fast paced, constantly changing space - most projects are for events, and thus an entire project lifecycle can be as short as one to six weeks. 
- Conceptualizing, designing and developing layouts for visual experiences.
- Research and analyze best design techniques and solutions to create successful content.
- Ensure compliance with company guidelines, deadlines and design standards.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge about latest graphic design techniques and trends.
- Maintain and follow best practices for naming convention and organization of graphic files.
- Work with editors, producers and other designers to resolve technical and/or design issues.
- Work collaboratively with Account Executives, Creative and Art Directors to understand project scope and objectives.
- Project managing schedule to ensure deliverables are on time and to expectation.
- Take ownership of the visual elements of creative work.
- Assisting other designers (traditional and/or digital) when needed.
- Track projects for cost effectiveness and job costing.

GRAPHIC DESIGN MANAGER
Wolfpack Wholesale Inc.
01/2014 - 05/2015
- Established Art Department, then expanded by adding staff and equipment.
- Management of Art Department staff.
- Interaction with Owners, and staff.
- Customer Order Management.
- Customer project consultations.
- Business branding, custom label design and layout.
- Department operations.
- Management of Print Production staff.
- Manage vendor relations.
- File Management.
- Prepress set-up and Preflight of digital files.
- Printer maintenance and supply stock.

CNC MACHINIST
Clear Kut Engraving
01/2011 - 11/2013
- File Management.
- File Setup, Typography and Design Layout.
- Materials Preparation.
- Computer Operated Laser Engraving.
- Computer Operated Metal Engraving.
- Spot Color Mixing and Paint Filling.
- Product Finishing.
- Packing and Shipping.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Rawhide Resort / Sparkling Image
11/2009 - 10/2010
- Business Branding.
- Graphic Design and Ad Layout.
- Manage vendor relations.
- Kennel Management and facility work.
- First and only Designer for employer's businesses, responsible for all aspects of creative department.
- Originally hired to create and run a local advertisement magazine my duties quickly changed and increased as the business did. I was to create advertisements promoting the business and franchising. With the addition of a new business, I took initiative to name and brand the new business. Afterwards, all focus was running the kennel while mail and signage advertising was done on a nearly nonexistent budget. 90% of production was done by myself.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER / PRE-PRESS TECHNICIAN
Inkjet International
07/2006 - 10/2008
- Layout and design of large and small format documents.
- Prepress set up and preflight of digital files for large and small format print.
- Perform customer consultations.
- Maintenance of file workflow.
- File conversions.
- Troubleshooting.

SENIOR PROJECT COORDINATOR
FedEx Office
09/2004 - 07/2006
- Perform multi-tasking including using automated equipment capabilities.
- Follow instructions of supervisors and assists other team members in performing center functions.
- Produce work in accordance to pre-established priorities of customer projects, including pricing parameters.
- Take customer orders, giving pricing information; perform quotes and consultative selling to customers.
- Set up and produces single or multiple copies of printed, typewritten, or other machine-acceptable original material, using photocopy equipment with reduction, enlargement, collating and binding capabilities.
- Produce single or multi-color documents requiring the merge of covers, text, indices, and related items. 
- Operate binding and other auxiliary equipment.
- Perform all phases of equipment set-up, operation, and routine maintenance.
- Provide customer service, including anticipating customer needs, suggesting alternatives and problem solving, and is able to satisfy these needs with a minimum amount of supervision.
- Collate, sort and organize customer orders.
- Maintain equipment and supplies, to include cleaning and repairing.