Did you always want to be a designer?
Though I went through a few stages [including sports commentator and truck driver], it was always fairly evident that some form of visual communication was in my future. According to my mom, as a child I was fascinated with TV commercials. Instead of flipping through the channels to avoid them, I did the opposite. Then, at the age of 8, I started private art lessons.
To blend my love of art and advertising, graphic design was the obvious career of choice. Though my 'right-brain' jumped for joy as I pursued this creative path, my 'left-brain' was feeling... well... left out. By combining design with writing code I was able to rev up my left hemisphere and achieve a more satisfying balance of creative and logical thinking in my work process. Put simply... web design is a perfect fit!
What 3 things could you not get along without?
1. My family [this includes my dog]
2. My computer
3. Skim milk [and fyi... people at Starbucks look at you funny when you order a vente non-fat no ice... milk]
What do you do for fun?
Um... you mean... other than designing and coding? Let's see... playing with my pup is at the top of the list, as is singing karaoke, listening to music and going to live shows. I enjoy anything that takes place outdoors, from backyard BBQ's to weekends camping at the lake.
Qualifications
- • Experience developing new websites based on project requirements, building from beginning to completion through conceptualization, design and coding
- • Comfortable writing XHTML and CSS by hand without the assistance of a WYSIWYG editor
- • Well versed in Wordpress with the ability to design and code themes from scratch, utilize custom fields, implement plugins and manipulate PHP
- • Competent in building and managing html email blasts
- • Able to perform maintenance on and edit the code of existing projects
- • Experience creating various flash elements for site integration
- • Up-to-date knowledge of web technologies and able to code according to W3C standards
- • Good eye for design and able to provide creative insight on project direction
- • Proficient in Adobe CS4 applications including Illustrator, Photoshop & InDesign
- • Print design experience including the creation of logos, stationery sets, ads, posters, style guides & promotional items
- • Skilled in writing creative briefs, proposals & project copy
Work History
- Web Design & Development: Stacy Robyn Creative.March 2010-current
- Board Member/Web Development: Ad2Phoenix. September 2009-current
- Web Designer: ThinkPro Printing and Graphics. March 2009-March 2010
- Freelance Web Designer: Park&Co. 2008, 2010
- Freelance Web Designer: BMJohnson Photography. 2008
- Freelance Web Designer: Quit Acting Workshops. 2008
- Web Design Intern: ThinkPro Printing and Graphics. November 2007-March 2008
- Graphic Design Intern: Bold Impressions. July 2005-December 2005
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
The Art Institute of Phoenix; Graduated with Highest Honors. July 2005-March 2008.