Hello World! (couldn’t resist)
With the power of this blog, I finally have a voice.
Introducing my new blog where I will offer up information and thoughts on design and technology as well as inspirational career-related posts. Be sure to check back in on occasion, or SIGN UP to be notified when a new blog post is published!
My Background… An Artist’s Journey
I became an artist at age 5 or 6. I can clearly remember the moment I made that declaration. So, here I am all these years later, and everything I do continues to align with that outlook / track / path.
From crayons to markers, oil pastels to pastels, acrylics to oils, pencils to inks, and finally landing on medium of choice: gouache with watercolor and/or digital tools . . . it’s been a long journey.
As a student, I was awarded with many special opportunities and scholarships for my artwork. Winning drawing competitions and being selected to participate in talented and gifted programs during and after school hours. The most notable was before my junior year of high school; a full scholarship with room and board included at Wesleyan University’s Center for Creative Youth (CCY).
In 2000, I completed my BFA in Illustration at Paier College of Art in Hamden, CT. Paier was a traditional school with many fine professors who shared their techniques, tricks and tips to push the students’ abilities.
Dipping My Toe Into The Pond, Across the Pond
Literally days after graduating from college, I hopped on a plane and headed to London, England. How was I able to do this? I sought out the opportunity and through research and recommendations from the international office at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). I found a program for recent grads called BUNAC (British Universities North American Club); the one and only chance for a recent grad to acquire a 6 month working VISA at that time.
Why did I go? I had a strong calling to return to the UK after spending the previous summer painting with fellow art students and professors. I had caught the international travel bug . . . wanderlust.
I lived in London for 3 years . . . Quickly realizing to earn steady income I had to get back on the Mac and take up graphic design work (a decade’s worth of student loans to pay back). Eventually, I landed a role at a small printing company where I got more than my fair share of relevant work experience. I had to learn (in-depth) desktop publishing software, photo editing software, spot color vs. CMYK, color trapping and plate separations.
During that time, I had a revelation. I was shown a technique where one could scan a sketch into the computer and use Illustrator to trace over it. I was immediately fascinated and spent a great deal of my free time scanning my pen and ink style character drawings and vectorizing them. I loved the crisp, quality result it gave; and the fact that it could be scaled to any size without pixelating was exactly the result I was after.
My illustration portfolio was soon filled with these creations, in addition to the hand-painted, photo-realistic renderings done in gouache and watercolor. After sending out countless illustration sample packets all over London, an opportunity arose. I was hired by a new media (currently called digital media) agency as an illustrator/animator. Graphic illustration became my forte and preferred style of working!
Now I could bring my illustrations to life through animation. I quickly picked up Flash (back then it was owned by Macromedia) and I was hooked! On and off the job I was working in these applications, honing my skills. It was time consuming – not nearly as much as creating a painting – yet delightful! This was more than my dream job, though, I was an in-house freelancer and the agency had no available open seats for permanency.
Web design was booming during this time, and I enrolled in evening classes at Lewisham College. I learned Dreamweaver and built an online portfolio site. – More skills to add to the palette.
On Returning Stateside
In 2003, it was time to settle down for the long-term, and moving back to the suburbs of CT was desirable. At this time, the U.S. was sinking into recession due to the Iraq war, post 9/11. Creative job openings were virtually non-existent. I freelanced for a variety of clients while waiting 6 months for permanent positions to begin opening up again.
I was at my wit’s end and frustrated. I was ready to give it ALL up . . . as in, lay my cards down on the table, and throw in the towel on this career. I completed an application and dropped it in the mailbox. For what, you might wonder? . . . I was going to go back to college to become an art teacher. Teaching, I should mention, was always a secondary career choice.
Miraculously, about a week later I was offered a graphic design position at a web coding company. But, as I was about to accept, I spotted another graphic design opportunity that spoke to me. I applied, explained the situation, and interviews were immediately set up. I happily accepted the job, and turned down the other offer. I have been working for Beekley Corporation for 17 years by summer of 2020, currently as Senior Manager of Digital Design.
What I Have Been Up To
My keen interest in transitioning from traditional artist to digital designer, formed early on in my career, has served me well. It enabled me to make my mark and offer up a vast skill set. I pride myself in my versatility. Thirst for more technical knowledge, and how it impacts the visual side of things is ever growing.
I am an avid freelancer, taking on side projects on a case by case basis.
So, What Do You Do Exactly?
- As a graphic designer: create layouts and marketing pieces that carry and support copy (text / messaging) so that it is aesthetically pleasing and easily digestible by the viewer.
- As a web or digital designer: more of the same; but backed by science and technology. I can write, edit and wrangle frontend code such as HTML (HTML5) and CSS (CSS3), apply scripts such as javaScript and jQuery. I work with metadata and SEO (search engine optimization). I abide as closely as possible to the W3 compliant standards and keep up with browser advancements. I work with responsive design frameworks (Bootstrap) for compatibility with desktop, tablet and mobile phone. I test on multiple browsers and devices. I apply the correct measures that satisfy user privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA). Currently, I am delving into accessibility design for those with disabilities (WCAG).
- UX/UI: the preliminary sketches or wireframing (blueprints) for a digital product or app. The upfront user research, discovery and planning that inform the design and user experience overall.
- Logos and branding: design logos and create/set up the look & feel or style surrounding the brand
- Illustration: graphic (Illustrator) or traditional (hand drawn, hand painted)
- Photo editing (Photoshop)
- Video editing (Final Cut Pro, Camtasia)
- Animation with 2D, Animate (formerly Flash)
- Email blasts & marketing automation (MailChimp, Salesfusion, Marketo)
- Analytics: look at Google Analytics, Search Console and other technologies such as Lucky Orange, Hotjar, or Crazy Egg heatmapping software
At the end of the day, I am a visual translator and visual problem solver for other people. This is a business role – a commercial venture. Fine artists (vs. commercial artists) create their own visual problems and challenges, and solve them. Whether that has value to others is subjective. As a career choice one is more lucrative and assistive to the masses than the other; the latter is more personal.
Well, that’s my spiel! . . . How will you channel your creative powers to make a career?
You can view my portfolio here.
