experience

I develop and conduct instructional classes focusing on the proper and effecient use of graphic design software. Software training included; QuarkXPress, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat. This responsibility challenges me to discover current trends, study new software features, and learn new techniques to invent and improve class exercises. My unique and more consolidated internal organization facilitated the repackage of existing materials into new classes. This process also refined style guides to ensure a consistent design throughout all company material. I collaborated with clients to prepare customized training curriculums for their design departments. I help develop promotional collateral including, page layout, graphics, logos, and currently I am developing the company's Web site redesign.

I created in-house print and internet advertisements for company sponsored conferences, seminars, Web services, etc. Ads were completed in QuarkXPress, converted to PDFs, and sometimes transferred via FTP to external servers. Animated banner ads were also assembled and optimized in Photoshop and ImageReady. As deadlines neared, I assisted with the completion of the bimonthly GCN and Washington Technology magazines by generating page layouts, illustrations, tables, and charts as well as color correcting digital images and conducting stock art searches and purchases.

I prepared Quark files for output, updated the company Web site, and designed brochures and newsletters. I also designed collateral materials for gala events.

For this small and cutting-edge Web site and multimedia design company I designed comps, prepared Web graphics, and helped produce some of the HTML pages for several Web sites including; discovery.com, hostingtech.com, consumerhealth.com, and aahp-echochamber.com. I also worked on in-house promotional material

I acquire side projects as an incentive to learn more about Web site design and exercise more creative control. I designed, produced and help maintain the Web site for the United States/Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce. I also design the promotional posters for the Laurel High School Drama Department

Originally hired as a graphic designer, I was able to integrate the responsiblities of the company Webmaster and the in-house technical support. I designed and produced numerous newspaper ads, magazine ads, brochures, posters, logos, a 300 page manual, an award winning pen, and other specialty items. I researched and recommended software and procedural improvements to increase productivity. Other duties included: creating powerpoint presentations, scanning images, color correcting, image extraction and manipulation, technical training, stock image searches, and basic server maintenance. I helped develop the company's corporate image. I taught myself Web site design software to create and update the company's first Web site and produce animated banner ads which introduced a new billable venue for the agency.

While working for this temp agency I was exposed to a variety of design assignments at different companies including: Matthews Media Group, Inc., Comsat, U.S. Boat and The Dan Rosenthal Co. Eventually, I was hired full time at The Dan Rosenthal Co. in Bethesda, Md.

After five months at this video game company, I managed the entire graphics department by myself. I obtained the sole responsibility for designing all of the marketing materials, magazine ads, packaging design, CD labels, manuals, and other collateral. I inspected bluelines, negotiated job estimations, and sacrificed life and limb to make Fed Ex.

Aspiring to be an architect at first, I attended this college and eventually changed my major to graphic design. My curriculum concentrated on art history, architecture, furniture design, and graphic design. I graduated with magna cum laude honors with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

College level courses concentrating on design fundamentals. These were supplemental classes to my regular high school curriculum at Springbrook High School where I made Dean's list every quarter. I graduated high school with recognition awards for set design, artistic achievement, and academic achievements. The portfolio I produced earned me a scholarship to college.