Well, I've been around for awhile.
I started my career working in television in the early 1980's throughout Northern New Jersey, New York and Staten Island, working jobs that gave me experience in the technical, as well as production, sides of the field. In the late 90's I realized my professional passion was with computer graphics and animation and went back to school to study 3D computer animation at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Upon graduation, I took a job doing broadcast graphics on television shows, commercials and infomercials with a South Florida marketing company at their video production division. A few freelance projects in between helped fill my time.
These days, I'm busy designing and developing web sites, as well as doing print and online graphics from my location in Rutland, Vermont.
'Making You Look Good'
Several years ago, while working at the video production company in Florida, I realized that my personal success was centered around making others look good in the eyes of whoever was providing their paychecks. That simple philosophy has served me well over the years, making me a valuable employee or freelance computer graphics artist.
'Making You Look Good' has been a slogan I have used for many years. But, while it's easy to write a slogan as part of a marketing campaign, the true test is what my work can do for your needs.
The Nature of My Work
While I believe I can adapt my style to fit most any need, I also realize that I, as most graphics artists out there, have been influenced by my different types of employment, schooling and personal interests throughout the years. For instance, a close look at my 'style' shows that I love to use light (highlights) and shadow to produce a sense of depth in my images, with the occassional sprinkling of background blur, wherever applicable (probably influenced by my 3D background). They tell me this comes through in much of my work, whether it is a web site, video footage, or 3D animation project...especially my recent work.
My influences are too numerous to list here, but thousands and thousands of artists have moved me at different times during my artistic life. I have been influenced by thousands of web site artists, thousands of 3D artists, thousands of video artists, thousands of photographers and thousands of artists in traditional media. I watch and study life around me: how it looks and moves at its most basic levels. I have watched and studied all those artists and their work, both loving and hating many of them for being better than me. I have learned from them and called many of them close friends.
So, while I do have a graphics 'style' of some sort, I like to think that I offer the right mix of objectivity for any project, while sticking within time and budget constraints. I don't believe in pushing my graphics style on anyone and if I need to follow the requirements of pre-existing art direction, then that is what I do. This is, after all, your time to shine...not mine.
Partial List of Technical & Artistic Skills / Work and Education History
While far from exhaustive, the content in the Skills section of this page represents a few of the core website design and development, as well as print graphic arts skills I can provide. I am constantly learning new techniques and technologies all the time, so if you don't see what you are looking for, please contact me (see footer below).
Note that I work primarily on a PC platform but can perform on a Mac. That choice is not because I feel one system is better than another to produce my computer graphics work, but because I have too much of a personal investment in that platform already. To me, computers are a tool...not a religion.
Also in the right column is my education history. Below is my employment history. It dates back to the early 1980's and reflects my time in television, as well as my experience in website design / development and print graphic art.
I'd love to hear what you have in mind. Please use the form below to get in touch with me.
Employment History
Freelance Website Design & Development, Print Graphics in Various Media, SEO, Content Writing
Freelance, Rutland, Vermont and Boca Raton, Florida
5/2000-Present – Utilization of all my listed skills for online and print design and development applications for the benefit of clients located nationwide.
Website Design & Development, Print Graphics in Various Media, Email Marketing, SEO, Content Writing, E-Commerce Development
Got2Web, LLC, Rutland, Vermont
4/2005-Present - Art direction and development of responsive-capable websites, SEO-oriented content writing, e-commerce site development, magazine and standalone print graphics, internet advertising banners, email marketing campaigns for clients and in-house applications and other assorted multimedia projects. Extensive use of HTML, CSS, digital graphics, 3D elements and more. CMS platforms, including MODx and WordPress. E-commerce systems, including EcommerceTemplates and Magento. Routine one-on-one client interaction. In short, a small company where I got my hands into everything.
Website Design, Multimedia Design, Print Graphics
Imagesetters, Rutland, Vermont
8/2004-4/2005 - Development of websites and complete multimedia projects. Image design and creation in 2D and 3D for use in web and/or print applications. Extensive use of HTML, CSS, Flash / ActionScript technologies, digital illustration, 3D elements and more in websites and web ad banners, splash pages, as well as CD Rom and PowerPoint presentations. Web content development and web content writing. Extensive one-on-one client interaction.
Director of Broadcast Graphics & Animation
Mirage Video & Post, Inc., Pompano Beach, Florida
5/2000-4/2002 - Designed and created all of the broadcast graphics for the company's national television shows, commercials, infomercials and special video projects. Special emphasis on all television show opens, animations (3D and 2D), television show bumpers, virtual sets, on-screen graphic elements, promotional billboards and CG. Successfully combined a vast knowledge of high-end graphics programs and hardware, traditional art skills and a talent for meeting all deadlines under pressure...all while maintaining the creative touch.
Video Operator
GlobeCast Communications, Inc., Staten Island, New York
8/1991-3/1998 - Operated various satellite earth station and video control equipment for high-end domestic and international video feeds. Extensive interaction with clients and satellite controllers in regard to signal quality and trouble-shooting problems. Maintained accurate log information and written reports as required.
Program Operator
United Artists Cablesystems, Inc., Alpine, New Jersey
8/1983-5/1991 - Handled cable television service switching for the Westchester, New Jersey, Brookhaven, Sammons, Riverview and American cable systems consisting of over 300,000 subscribers. Restored service when technical problems arose, monitored and maintained routine functions of Channelmatic commercial insertion systems and provided inventory records for the company's repair department.
Skills
Internet
- Professional level HTML
- Responsive website design and development
- Professional level CSS
- CMS based systems, including MODx® and WordPress®
- E-commerce, including Ecommerce TemplatesTM and Magento®
- Email marketing
- Online banner advertising design
- Work in a PHP environment
- Search engine optimization
- SEO-based copywriting
Print Graphics
- Magazine advertising
- Brochures
- Corporate identity
- Technical manuals
General Skills
- Artistic as well as technical
- Hand-code capable…not template reliant
- Work within Windows® and Mac® systems
- Professional-level knowledge of Adobe® CC Suite products
- Routine use of Microsoft Office® applications
- Professional-level 3D graphics and animation
Education History
Computer Animation
BS, Magna Cum Laude
The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Graduated 3/2000
Speech and Theater - Broadcasting
BA, Cum Laude
Montclair State University
Montclair, New Jersey
Graduated 5/1989
Business & Television Production
Bergen Community College
Paramus, New Jersey
Attended 9/1978-5/1980 - 81 Credits