Debrief
I’m a Graphic Designer with a background in print and web design /development within Microsoft and other marketing firms for several years. In addition to designing and art direction, I have also managed projects from concept to completion.
I have worked with Xbox, MSN, Bank of America, The N Network, TV LAND, MGM Studios, MetLife and Universities in projects ranging from small web ads, exhibit displays, presentations, posters, brochures and books.
As a side venture which branched from my passion for videogames and music, I have worked with various publications and websites (gearlive.com, Hardcore Gamer Magazine, EA TRAX, EA) and created content such as game reviews, interviews and event coverage.
I thoroughly enjoy working with passionate individuals and relish team dynamics and atmosphere. When I am not making the world safe with good design, I am actively writing about music and games, tech, and gaming on Xbox LIVE.
Specialties
| Tools Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Indesign, Quark 6, Mac OSX, Windows OS, HTML/CSS, JQuery, WordPress | Writing Ability to create original content such as video game reviews & entertaining articles for the web. |
| Web Highly knowledgeable in online culture and capable in the use of forums, blogs and other social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Flickr and more. | Design Strong background in typography, branding, and conceptual thinking. Thorough understanding of the production processes for web & print including wireframes and book binding. |
Education
The Art Institute of New York City 2004-2006
Associate Degree in Graphic Design
Graduated with a G.P.A of 3.4
Experience
Freelancer 2003-NOW
Design Print & web design, production, web development, WordPress theme creation & implementation, branding & identity solutions.
Writing Content creation solutions for the web audience: original content, videogame reviews, previews and event coverage.
Gearlive April 2009-present
Senior Entertainment Editor
Industry event coverage, interviews with industry leaders, game reviews, forum moderation, writing clever , interesting, and appealing blog posts. Coverage ranges from social media, video games, iPhone applications, comic books, and music.
Microsoft [Contract via Excell Data] March 2010-June2010
UX Designer
Worked on the Xbox Dashboard team as a UX designer. Created and re-designed scenes for the new dashboard update and Microsoft’s new product, Kinect.
Hardcore Gamer Magazine February 2009- January 2010
Editor / Web Producer
Creation of content for the online portion of Hardcore Gamer Magazine (HGM) including event coverage, previews and reviews of games.
Dealing with the back-end, other duties also include managing article schedules, coding layouts of articles and making them live.
Motricity Jan 2010-Mar2010
Production Designer
I was contracted by Filter LLC to work at the Motricity Headquarters in Bellevue, WA. I worked on Identity work for internal events, diagram design, Power Point presentation design, letterhead formatting and prep for production, screen shot touch ups, email header formatting, and banner creation.
Microsoft [Xbox] via Excell Data Sept 2008-Mar 2010
Enforcement + Policy & Securies
Process complaints made on the Xbox LIVE platform regarding player profiles and gamertags. Duties also include working with the developers of the internal administration tool to help manage efficiencies.
The Blue Skittle Magazine 2007-2009
Creative Director + Partner
TBS is a magazine showcasing the gaming community. From fashion to podcast spotlights, this magazine is all about the gaming lifestyle. As Creative Director, I oversaw the magazine’s branding and website identity as well as business cards, banners and event chachkeys.
Microsoft [MSN] via Aquent Jan-Jun 2008
User Interface Designer
Create layouts and custom homepage modules for the MSN.com portal. Responsibilities include the creative direction of the Summer Olympics module and wireframes for the new MSN Homepage. Other duties consisted of creating seasonal themes (i.e., Mother’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day), custom graphics and icons.
C2 Creative 2006-2008
Graphic Designer
Responsibilities included creation of print marketing materials for the Bank of America account. Conceptualization and creation of exhibit & expo booths to increase visibility to the brand. Created various presentation themes for TV Land, The N Network, Diageo & EBAY.
Beetstro 2006-2009
Blogger + Founder
Beetstro is a professional/personal website featuring my passions: music, games, and the web. The previous iteration of this was Generation Zune, a blog about music and Microsoft’s Zune device.
We worked with several companies (i.e., Microsoft, EA TRAX, EA) creating original content to reach online communities and increase visibility to their product via interviews, reviews and event coverage.
Umbrage Editions Jul-Sept 2006
Graphic Design Intern
As an intern in a relatively small publisher, duties consisted of conceptualizing, designing and producing various book layouts & jacket covers. Other projects included producing presentations for clients, showcasing full mock-ups and comps.
