About
I am a true “Hoosier”, born and raised by good people in Indianapolis, and have lived here my entire life. I’m a Ball State University graduate, class of ’94, and have been in the creative fold ever since. I have a tendency to work from my heart. Some people say I'm a real go-getter. What they overlook is that I am a complete control freak when it comes to my projects. It works for me though, and I think it works for my clients. I usually have to be told to stop working.
I’m a happily married father of two amazing girls, I like to work, and I like to relax. I love to experiment in the kitchen and am rarely without a Mountain Dew or my iPhone close by. I used to be really good at hacky-sack in college. I always prefer a t-shirt and jeans. I get paid to be creative, and I do whatever it takes to make sure I make the most of this opportunity. I work hard, and have fun doing it, most of the time.
After over 25 years in the design game, my unique ability is making the most out of what I've got to work with. People always tell me I get to work on the best projects, but I say I make every project I get the best it can be. My creative releases are playing video games & running my girls to practice, training, lessons or a volleyball tournament somewhere, which could be anywhere… another full-time job, but one I couldn't live without. When I was a kid I really wanted to be an inventor, I guess creativity has always been a part of me.
SKILLS
Adobe Creative Cloud
Photoshop • Illustrator • InDesign • Acrobat • Dreamweaver • Adobe XD
From the early days of PageMaker and QuarkXPress, I have years of experience using the latest creative software including Adobe Creative Cloud.
Microsoft Office
Word (Pages) • PowerPoint (Keynote) • Excel (Numbers)
From flyer templates in Word, to presentation templates in PowerPoint, there isn’t much I haven’t created with the Office suite. The majority of my experience has been in a Mac environment, I am comfortable working on PCs.
Competencies
WordPress • DIVI • Final Cut Pro • HTML5 / CSS • Flash / ActionScript • JavaScript
Deep understanding of the capabilities of the latest web languages & tools. The web is a great resource for keeping up on the latest trends in the professional arts & design field (as well as others).
Specialties
Branding • Photo Editing • Typography • Illustration • Color Theory
A small sample of the many specialties I have been able to (try to) master over the last 20+ years as a designer. I believe every new creative opportunity is an opportunity to explore new ideas.
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
Audio from client during a design presentation call.
RESUME
Senior Graphic Designer • September 2021 – Present
Rehab Medical - Indianapolis, IN (hybrid)
Responsibe for design projects and creating original artwork for all marketing materials for Rehab Industries portfolio of companies. Directly responsible for maintaining vendor relationships, including vendor selection, writing specifications for printer estimates, developing project quotes, providing final art files and approving vendor proofs. Concepting and designing projects while with Rehab include a complete collateral refresh for Rehab Medical, including vehicle wraps, marketing materials, and the corporate website. I was also lead creative for Cork Medical’s recent Rebrand. This included development of new color palatte & logo system. Production included applying the new brand to all marketing materials, product packaging & documentation, clothing, and building signage. Also responsible for reviewing junior designers’ work, and ensuring high-quality deliverables.
UX Designer (Contract Position) • May 2018 – March 2021
FindLaw / Thomson Reuters - Elgin, MN (remote)
Collaborated with Content Writer and Digital Marketing Specialist to develop client specific strategies. Constructed brand elements by creating client logo and color palette, selected stock photography, color correcting client supplied imagery, and sourcing and/or creating illustrations. Accountable for designing responsive mobile web applications including interface mock-ups, wire-frames, flowcharts, prototypes, and style guides. Create sites that follow current UX best practices and web standards. Review sites after development by outside vendors to ensure designs were executed as specified. Presentation of final concepts to clients and other stakeholders. Maintained a minimum of 15 open projects with quick turnarounds and demanding timelines.
Associate Creative Director • November 1998 – November 2017
Hodes / Symphony Talent - New York, NY (remote)
Managed and mentored a diverse group of designers, copywriters, freelancers and production manager across 5 offices. Responsible for: hiring, yearly reviews, motivating and creative problem solving, distributing work flow, critiques, organizing and directing photo and video shoots. Managed and met aggressive project deadlines, handled changing priorities, all while adhering to brand strategy, accuracy and time lines.
Provide strategic and conceptual leadership as well as unique creative solutions to advertising initiatives. Worked cohesively with account team to strategize profitable recommendations and services to clients across a variety of both print and digital media. Determine creative vision for projects, ensuring jobs meet the clients needs visually, structurally, adhered to brand standards and overall strategy. Present, articulate and
sell concepts to clients and relate projects to overall business plans and goals.
sell concepts to clients and relate projects to overall business plans and goals.
Developed multiple EMA and CEA award winning creative campaigns, across various forms of media, including two “Best of Category” honors. Won several major account pitches such as: Motorola, Eli Lilly, Thomson Multimedia, Conseco, UnitedHealth Group, AstraZeneca, Community Health Network, Carolinas Healthcare System, and Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment.
Production Manager / Art Director • January 1998 – October 1998
Ashley & Associates - Indianapolis, IN
Responsibilities for the agency included integrating schedules between account executives, designers, copywriters and clients to ensure all deadlines are met. Directly responsible for writing specifications for printer estimates, developing client quotes, approving blue-lines, and attended all press checks. Concepting and designing select projects, including web development, and preparing electronic files for vendors. Coordinating all outside vendor schedules and purchases for special events and negotiating vendor quotes. Responsible for final approval of all finished materials
before being released to the client.
before being released to the client.
Designer • October 1995 – December 1997
Macmillan Publishing - Indianapolis, IN
Accountable for comping, designing and the maintenance of covers and interiors for Que and New Riders titles. Scheduling of meetings with the Marketing Department and Managing Editors to improve product knowledge and ensure the proper look and feel of the Cover and Interior of all books. Weekly presentation and discussion of creative concepts to both Marketing and Editorial Departments.