Who am I?

I am a creative based in the suburbs of Chicago. For as long as I’ve known, I have always gravitated towards the visual arts and studied Graphic Design at Illinois Wesleyan University. I later decided to gain additional skills by attending graduate school at DePaul University in the Digital Communication & Media Arts program. I am always working on something, whether it’s drawing comics, learning a new instrument or playing ice hockey.

 

Education:

MA - Digital Communication
and Media Arts
DePaul University
Chicago, IL - 2018

BFA - Graphic Design
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL - 2004

Technical Skills:

Adobe Photoshop CC
Adobe Illustrator CC
Adobe InDesign CC
Adobe After Effects CC
Adobe Premiere CC
Adobe Audition
QuarkXPress
Microsoft Office
Pre1 SmartPublisher

Traditional Skills:

Pen, brush and ink 
Illustration
Comic layout and creation
Water color and acrylic paint 

 

Experience:

DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois
Graduate Student 2015-2018

  • Worked on a team that created a brand strategy for Carl Conrad
    American Whiskey.

    • Designed logo and label design.

  • Filmed a short character portrait documentary, as well as several short films.

  • Wrote, produced, recorded and animated a docuseries.

    • Created all art using Illustrator, recorded and edited all sound and dialogue using Audition and animated in After Effects.

What’s Happening! Community Newspapers
Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Production Manager, Graphic Designer 2013-2014

  • Designed newspaper layouts, advertisements and uploaded content to the printing press and the What’s Happening! website. 

  • Corresponded with sales staff to serve the needs of clients, whether it was creating an advertisement from scratch or providing logo designs. 

  • Generated flyers and sales materials using InDesign for the sales staff.

  • Managed the flow and placement of advertisements using Pre1 SmartPublisher to create run sheets and tear sheets. 

  • Supervised and mentored interns on ad creation and design principles.  

Vance Publishing
Lincolnshire, Illinois
Principal Designer, Industrial Division, 2007-2012 

  • Responsible for design and production of monthly magazines including Custom Woodworking Business, Wood & Wood Products and Closets Magazine. 

  • Uploaded content to the Woodworking Network website using the Vance CMS and HTML. 

  • Worked on design teams responsible for page layouts and illustrations. 

  • Earned the 2007 Vance Innovation Award for Notable Corporate Excellence for combining traditional and digital art skills to create new imagery for the magazines.

Production Editor, 2004-2007

  • Proofed layouts for errors before submitting them to the printing press.

  • Created layouts of special sections of the magazines using InDesign and created advertisements and various logos that were needed for events and promotions. 

  • Filed and organized the archives.

Freelance

2004-Present

  • Completed several projects for private companies and organizations ranging from law firms, investment funds, local music groups and the McKenzie Federal Congressional Campaign where I developed the brand, logo and posters.

  • Made trade booth graphics and flyers for Generation Brands

  • Created logos and identity projects.