Web Design
I’m a front-end developer coding in CSS & HTML and working primarily in WordPress & Shopify. I’ve also created sites in Editor-X and Wix and have also worked in Weebly, Magento and DreamWeaver. Additionally, I work a little bit in Slider Revolution where I created the knife animation above.
Typography
Graphic Design is about getting the message to the market and good typography adds credibility and helps convey the personality. As I design, in addition to focusing on the verve of the brand and the visual interest the typography can add, I'm also concerned with maintaining legibility, how many fonts there are available in the typeface, the amount of copy there is and where the design will be displayed (Web, social, print, embroidery, etc.).
Photo Retouching
I retouch photos to both create compelling visuals and also to solve problems. I do projects that require 100% photo-mechanical production like creating multiple colors of the same product or granularly retouching images, but I also use photo retouching regularly at some point in most projects to resolve small issues and keep the projects moving.
Kind & Helpful
Being kind and helpful is an inextricable part of who I am and who I want to be because it’s the right thing to do and because it feels good. I feel it’s pertinent to mention in this format, because it’s also part of the recipe for getting things done in a fun and cooperative manner. I can always be expected to bring this perspective to every project.
Mac & PC
I have a KVM switch which I use to flip back and forth between my Mac and PC computers almost every day depending on the client and the application. I have decades of practice with both systems.
Production Design
About seven years ago I got the opportunity to do production work and I fell in love with it. It’s like design-light accented with a fast-pace, need to be very organized and frequently calls on using many different skills in rapid succession. It’s a rush.
Studio Photography
I’ve done many product shoots over the years using a Canon SLR, soft box and studio lighting. My focus (pun-intended) is always to show all the detail while staying faithful to the shape of the product and making it look compelling.
Printing Expertise
Prior to becoming a designer, I was a sales rep. and project manager in several agency-style offset printing companies. Earlier still I was a pressman and did some bindery work. I know how to set-up for print properly, efficiently and cost-effectively while getting the most out of the medium and I’m very versed at hosting and performing press-checks.
Adobe Suite
Throughout my career, I’ve used Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign, Acrobat, Distiller and Bridge practically daily. Though I’m still only scratching the surface with AI, I’ve also recently started integrating Abode FireFly and have see astounding results so far. I'll surely be augmenting the other Adobe apps with it more and more. I’m also learning After Effects.
Team Player
I like to help people by nature, so transferring that propensity to my team has always been a natural to me and I’ve been on many teams. My recipe is to create materials that are easy for others to use, to communicate clearly & expediently and to always be respectful and to listen. I also employ a little humor and am always compassionate.
Very Creative
I need to convey that I'm very creative because I want to properly represent myself because creativity for a designer is an imperative. But don’t want to come across as arrogant because I’m not. But I do have a strength at being able to see solutions that are outside of the box and I have all my life. After a lifetime of practice and success, I believe I can come up with something very creative, and I almost can't stand not to... and so I do.
Problem-Solver
I love a challenge and when I can clearly see what the solution needs to be, I can see how it will come about. I learned this skill from an old boss, named Dave. The hours were long and we were striving for perfection and under those conditions it was easy to want to give up, but Dave never did. He always found the way to succeed and he never took things at face-value. His problem-solving creativity was off-the-charts and watching his approach forever changed me.