Graphic Designer & Illustrator

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. If you're looking for an experienced hardworking professional with a variety of skills (Graphic Design, Flash animation, Illustration, Packaging Design, Branding, Social Media campaign planning, etc) who's used to wearing many different hats and doing whatever it takes to get the job done than I'm the right choice for you.

My expertise is in the role of Creative Engine. I thrive in a room brainstorming with others and figuring out innovative ways to accomplish B2B and B2C strategies. My goal is to create appealing images and designs to move your brand into every household and become a memorable consumer experience.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. All-in-ones tend to be bad machines to purchase. Typically when one part breaks you have to replace the whole thing and that can get terribly expensive.

The same can be true for designers and developers. Often times the wise move is to hire two people-
a good, personable developer with a basic understanding of good design and a good designer with a basic understanding of development.

The perfect all-in-one designer developer is a rare beast who usually is out of a client's price range and isn't looking for work.

Hiring people who all have the same understanding doesn't allow for outside input. This quote sums up my feelings on the matter nicely: "If we all reacted the same way, we'd be predictable, and there's always more than one way to view a situation. What's true for the group is also true for the individual. It's simple: Overspecialize, and you breed in weakness."

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Why do you think you'd be a good fit with us?

What can you do for us to separate our brand from the competition and move us forward in the marketplace?

What have you done in the past to expand the growth of your previous employers?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. They should have thought about what their expectations are for their company and what their budget is for marketing collateral and advertising expenses as well as supplies, variable costs and time. Time is a huge factor, last minute moves for important opportunities tend to be a recipe for disaster. Planning is key.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. My work stands out because my approach is from a consumer perspective first and a designer/illustrator perspective second. I value clarity of ideas above all else.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love collaborating in a room on an idea and working with different people to execute the idea.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I wish customers knew that the stuff that looks easy and simple is often the hardest thing to accomplish. Pairing an idea down to it's simplest form can be pretty tricky.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I was always drawing as a kid. I love making up stories and illustrating ideas. So when after graduating High School going to Art School was a natural next step.

When I graduated Ringling, I decided to expand my illustration skills and learn more about Graphic Design. I found learning design made me a better illustrator.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Yes. I recently attended the 2011 WordCamp to learn more about WordPress and I utilize my Google reader and spend many hours reading the latest design and advertising trends. I meet with friends and discuss the latest in design and illustration and just work everyday on becoming a better artist.

Q. What are you currently working on improving?

A. My web design skills. I'm not a developer or code guy and right now I'm looking to expand my skill set further.

At the same time I'm working on a new Illustration portfolio to further hone my skills and challenge myself.