CREATIVE GRAPHIC DESIGNER | ART DIRECTOR | PREPRESS OPERATOR | PHOTOGRAPHER
Innovative, results-driven professional with 35+ years of experience across print, web, and broadcast platforms. Expert in product development, industrial design, and entertainment corporate branding style guides. Highly skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator CC, Photoshop CC, InDesign CC), video editing, and web content management. Proven ability to lead creative teams, drive impactful marketing campaigns, and manage complex projects with precision. Bilingual in English and Spanish, with a passion for travel and a demonstrated portfolio of inventive, resourceful solutions.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Graphic Design | Art Direction | Prepress and Production Management | Large Format Production | Catalog and Magazine Creation | Digital and Web Design | Creative Strategy | Branding Identity | Project Management | Photography | Typography | Video Editing | Multimedia Content Creation | Client Relationship Management | Marketing Strategy | Organizational Acumen | Attention to Detail | Problem-Solving | Adobe Creative Suite | Microsoft Office Suite | Enfocus Pitstop | Dynastrip | Figma | Preps Imposition Software | Sage | Trello | Canva | Slack | RIP Software | Design Concepts | Sales Processes |Social Media| PMS |Graphic Facilitation | Teamwork Collaboration| Visual Storytelling | Innovation | Adaptability
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
- Over 20 years of event and commercial photography experience, serving top clients such as Eden Roc Hotel, Movado, Care Resource, and White Party; also worked as a Magazine Photographer for Hotspots, Miamigo, David, and Scoop.
- Specialized in the end-to-end creation of catalogs and magazines, from conceptualization to final production, ensuring project goals are met efficiently and independently.
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator CC, Photoshop CC, InDesign CC), creating eye-catching graphics and layouts across various media. (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, IMovie)
- Well-versed in handling Preps, Dynasty RIP, Quark Xpress, Agfa Taipan, Apogee X, Agfa Xcalibur, Avantra, and HP 5000 , Canon Colorado, Caldera, Kongsberg , HP Latex 570, Epson Sure Color P200000, Epson Sure Color F6200,I-Cut Layout 16.0, Wasatch Soft Rip.for streamlined print production.
- Experienced with RIP software and Canon Fiery, ensuring accurate color reproduction and adherence to quality standards.
- Skilled in electronic file preparation for print and operation of various peripheral equipment.
- Established expertise in managing digital and conventional prepress operations, providing timely and accurate turnouts while enhancing visual appeal through the design and production of covers and ads for various publications.
- Strong background in video editing, with proficiency in Adobe Premiere, contributing to dynamic multimedia projects.
Professional Career Experience
Sr. Art Director, Prepress Operator
Oct 2022 – June 2024
WM PRINTING, LLC. | Boynton Beach, FL
Spearheaded the development of a variety of advertising assets and marketing strategies that significantly boosted client engagement, leading to a $20k increase in sales revenue. Led the design and execution of a flagship client’s web portal, optimizing functionality for 360+ locations, which enhanced user experience and satisfaction.
- Refined prepress systems through rigorous preflight checks, achieving a 10% reduction in production errors.
- Collaborated between creative teams and production departments to expedite seamless project transitions and consistent output.
- Initiated comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while automating workflows through Fiery Jobflow, resulting in countless hours saved in project turnaround. Equipment: Canon Colorado, Caldera, Kongsberg, Fiery Rip.
Sr. Graphic Designer, Prepress Operator
May 2021 – Sept 2022
IMPACT IMAGERY GROUP, LLC. | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Conceptualized and executed cutting-edge marketing materials that drove high customer interaction, triggering a 25% rise in client satisfaction. Oversaw the end-to-end management of client projects, maintaining timely delivery and exceptional quality, attaining a 37% improvement in retention rates.
- Emphasized large format production using I-Cut Software, maximizing output efficiency and meeting stringent deadlines.
- Engaged in strategic partnerships with high-profile clients such as Apple Printing, Guy Harvey, and Flex Seal, strengthening brand presence and expanding market reach by 34 new projects.
- Promoted cross-departmental communication to improve accuracy in client briefs, reducing project revisions. Equipment:
Esko Kongsberg, HP Latex 570, Epson Sure Color P200000, Epson Sure Color F6200,I-Cut Layout 16.0, Wasatch Soft Rip.
Sr. Graphic Designer, Project Coordinator
June 2019 – May 2021
JM FIELD MARKETING, LLC. | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Crafted engaging marketing collateral while orchestrating client projects from initial design through to final approval, sparking a 75% surge in project efficiency. Leveraged Sage accounting and shipping software to improve project workflows, decreasing turnaround time for deliverables by 30%. Partnered with reputable clients such as NCL, Clear Captions, Magic Leap, SCI Direct, and Fembi, consistently exceeding expectations and generating $57K in total revenue.
- Integrated customer feedback into project processes, increasing customer satisfaction scores.
Graphic Designer, Preflight & Prepress Specialist
Oct 2018 – Apr 2019
COMMERCIAL PRINTERS, INC | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Constructed aesthetically pleasing advertising assets for numerous clients, furthering brand recognition and visibility. Performed prepress operations across multiple printing presses with Kodak software, yielding a 25% decline in production errors.
- Coordinated the design/execution of layout and production communication materials, allowing clients to save a ton in overall project costs.
- Restructured prepress approval workflows, diminishing production bottlenecks and improving delivery timelines.
Office Manager, Freelance Graphic Designer
Feb 2018 – Sept 2018
MINUTEMAN PRESS POMPANO, LLC. | Pompano Beach, FL
Formulated dynamic advertising content for diverse clients, leading to a 49% increase in digital/physical files, catapulting overall productivity by 30%. Guided the design and implementation of graphic materials, securing a drop in client expenses.
- Led client consultations to tailor creative strategies, ushering in repeat business.
Art Instructor
Dec 2017 – Mar 2019
PAINTING WITH A TWIST, LLC. | Deerfield Beach, FL
Instructed/mentored students in painting classes, nurturing their creativity and backing a 60% increase in satisfaction ratings.
- Collaborated with clients to unlock their artistic potential, causing a substantial progression in class attendance and greater confidence among participants.
Graphic Designer, Prepress Supervisor
Dec 2011 – Dec 2017
PRINT BASICS LLC. | Deerfield Beach, FL
Produced and delivered engaging advertising materials tailored to a wide range of clients, contributing to exponential growth in consumer engagement. Directed prepress processes for Heidelberg DI and AB Dick equipment, guaranteeing exceptional quality standards that minimized production errors by 30%.
- Managed both digital and conventional prepress workflows, including preflighting and outputting, optimizing turnaround time, and saving countless hours per project.
- Deployed new color correction techniques in prepress processes, improving final product accuracy and lessening reprint costs.
Earlier Experience
Graphic Designer, Prepress Operator | Ritters Printing | Fort Lauderdale, FL- Jan 2006 – Nov 2011
IT Assistant, Prepress Operator | Megacolor Corp. | Miami/Fort Lauderdale, FL – Jan 2005 – Jan 2006
Pre-Press Night Manager, Designer | Wilen Group | Miami/Fort Lauderdale, FL – Oct 1999 – Jan 2005
Art Director | Azhar Oriental Rugs | Miami/Fort Lauderdale, FL – Jul 1998 – Oct 1999
Desktop Department Supervisor | KAR Printing | Miami/Fort Lauderdale, FL – Aug 1996 – Jul 1998
Certifications & Trainings
Prinect Signastation – Print Media Academy, N.A.
Agfa Apogee X – Agfa Center for Education
Artwork Systems & Pageflow 1.7 – PCC Artwork Systems
Advanced Desktop Publishing – William T. McFatter Vocational-Technical Center
Desktop Publishing – William T. McFatter Vocational-Technical Center
Introduction to Web Page Design – Nova Community School
Special Achievement Award – Exclusive Home Products
Education
Commercial Art Major – McFatter Vocational-Technical Center – Davie, Florida | 3.8 GPA
Double Major in Music and Art – Broward College – Davie, Florida | 3.9 GPA
Completed Coursework: Desktop Publishing/Four-Year TV Production Course
Elected Vice-President of International Club