To me, design isn't just a career.
It's a way to reimagine the world around me. It's a method of personal expression and a means for connecting with others, both client and user alike. I've been designing ever since I can remember. I'm constantly doodling out of habit and I've always had a million thoughts and ideas running through my head at any given time. Becoming a professional creative made complete sense, because I love to create.
If you could do something you love for the rest of your life, wouldn't you?
I Specialize In:
Print and web graphics • Front-end web design • Logos and brand identity • Usability and user interface • Product and transportation design • Project direction and management • Creative consultation
I'm a creative designer from the Metro Detroit area. I have a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. My concentration was originally in industrial design, but I soon expanded to graphics and web design as a means of diversifying my skillset. I've been doing freelance graphic design professionally since 2008 and have been working as a full-time front-end web designer since 2009. Though the majority of my current work is done digitally, I still rely on traditional pen & paper sketching for ideation and developing projects.
Besides being a designer, I'm also a musician. I've been playing guitar for 16 years, bass guitar for 8 years, and have produced/mixed/mastered recordings in the past.
I'm a huge auto enthusiast (I originally got into the creative field for transportation design) and a pop culture geek. I'm a big fan of animation (especially The Maxx and Venture Bros.) and graphic novels. I have a full-blown obsession with food and I love listening to ambient electronica, jazz, hip-hop and film scores.
Technical Skills
2D Graphic/Layout
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Flash
- AutoDesk SketchBook Pro
- Manual sketching and rendering
3D Modeling & Rendering
- AutoCad - Proficient
- AutoDesk FormZ - Proficient
- AutoDesk Alias – Working Knowledge
Web
- Proficient in HTML & CSS coding
- Working knowledge of PHP and JQuery javascript libraries
Professional Experience
Freelance Graphic and Web Designer
2008-Current
I work directly with clients on design projects ranging in scale from single-use event flyers to full website designs and branding initiatives. Below are some of the types of projects I have experience working on:
- Event promotional material
- Web and print ads
- Billboards
- Posters
- Publication layout
- Logo design
- Brand visual identity
- Signage
- T-Shirts and other merchandise
ACCESS
Web Designer | 2009-Current
I am the admin of and maintain the entire content for main and project websites for this international social services non-profit organization. Also designed, programmed and launched website for international health and US Rising conferences.
I also conceptualize, produce and act as head of graphic design and layout of all print and web advertising, fact sheets, posters, packaging, event invitations, trade show graphics, flyers, informational pamphlets and many other medias. I possess very strong organizational and communication skills, and am a team player working well under multiple deadlines.
Arab American National Museum
Web Designer | 2009-Current
I am the admin of and maintain the content for the website of this Smithsonian-affiliated museum. I oversee and/or produce graphic design and layout of all print and electronic collateral, exhibit promotional material, event invitations, billboards, etc. I also design & program exhibit and conference microsites, direct all external printer services and redesign, revise, edit and proof already existing websites.
Below are just a few examples of some of my previous work. Please visit this page again in the future, I'm always working on new projects and constantly developing my skills, so I will be updating my work samples as new projects are completed.
Program booklet & signage
Client: EyesOn Design
Company: EyesOn Design/Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology
Created using: Adobe InDesign CS4, Adobe Illustrator CS4
Design and layout of program booklet and signage for the 2011 EyesOn Design Awards for Design Excellence at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, MI.
Website Design & Build
Client: Arab American National Museum
Company: Arab American National Museum/ACCESS
Created using: Adobe Photoshop (UI mockup), HTML, CSS3, JQuery, PHP, WordPress
Website design and build for DIWAN: A Forum for the Arts conference in New York, a program of the Arab American National Museum. Built on WordPress CMS for blog functionality using the Ashford theme framework (©Turtle Interactive)
Website Design & Build
Client: ACCESS
Company: ACCESS
Created using: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop (website graphics and UI mockup), HTML, CSS, PHP
Ground-up design and build of website for the US Rising conference series, presented by ACCESS, ACLU of Michigan, WDET and University of Michigan - Dearborn. Additional work included large-format signage, print materials, and all branded materials for the conference.
Logo/Brand Visuals
Client: Angela
Company: Angela Antonio (personal brand)
Created using: Adobe Illustrator CS4, pen/paper
Logo designs for the personal branding of an up-and-coming advertising and marketing professional.
Event Flyers
Client: Mike and Shawn
Company: Five Starz Ent.
Created using: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Flyers for a series of events hosted by a Detroit-based promotions company.
Website Design & Build
Client: ACCESS Community Health &
Research Center
Company: ACCESS
Created using: Adobe Photoshop CS4, TextMate code editor, Adobe Dreamweaver CS4
Design and ground-up build (HTML, CSS, and PHP programming) for the website of the 6th International Conference for Health Issues in Arab Communities, taking place in Aleppo, Syria. Fully functional and informative site with online abstract submission and registration capabilities with special focus on international accessibility.
Questions? Comments? Just want to say hello? Feel free to contact me directly using the form below.