Design Graphic

Ravinder Basra

w: www.rbasra.com e: *******@*****.***

QUALIFICATIONS

M.A. Visual Communication (equivalent to an M.F.A. in the U.S.A.)

University of Central England, Birmingham, U.K.

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Graphic Design (equivalent to an associate

degree in the U.S.A.)

Matthew Boulton College, Birmingham, U.K.

BTEC National Certificate in Computers

Walsall College of Technology, Walsall, U.K.

BTEC First Certificate in Business & Finance

Walsall College of Technology, Walsall, U.K.

TEACHING

EXPERIENCE Adjunct Faculty (part-time) 1/2010 to 12/2011

City College, San Francisco

Duties: I taught an intermediate graphic design and multimedia process and

production classes. In the intermediate graphic design class students were taught

concept development strategies through a series of assignments and exercises which

demonstrated design process and application of key principles and visual theories to

design projects.

The multimedia process and production class introduced students to key components

of the process behind creating websites from concept design, pre-planning

documentation such as project briefs, site maps, personas, wireframes, storyboards

through to production using Dreamweaver, XHTML, CSS and final online delivery

using FTP. A section of the class was taught online using Insight/Moodle content

management system.

Responsibilities involved designing online, in-person and hybrid versions of courses

and developing appropriate content for each, setting up group collaboration forums,

assigning clients to student groups and supervising the re-design of existing websites

to include improved design features, such as new logo/brand designs, page layouts,

color schemes and navigational systems, as well as integrating technical aspects such

as css, blogs, rss feeds and content management systems. Previously I taught an

advanced multimedia production class where students worked in teams on real-world

projects and with clients to produce websites.

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E-learning Adjunct Faculty (part-time) 9/2009 to 12/2011

Academy of Art University, San Francisco

Duties: I taught the following online classes: Graduate Digital Design Studio, Digital

Tools, History of Graphic Design and Graphic Design 1: Visual Communication, using

a proprietary online content management system. Duties involved managing

discussions on key subject areas relating to design, updating of online course material,

providing feedback on designs during critique sessions and grading.

Visiting Professor in Design and Technology 1/2008 to 5/2010

San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco

Duties: My role involved teaching the following classes: Conceptual Design and

Practice, Digital Literacy, Internet Tools and Techniques and Graphic Agitation.

Responsibilities included designing classes around the practice and integration of

media and digital technologies, both online and offline. Courses included research,

practice and theory ranging from concept development, through to production of

fully functional websites and motion graphics utilizing design principles, information

design and interactivity. I also participated in curriculum development, assessment,

graduate portfolio reviews and national portfolio days.

Adjunct Professor in Graphic Design/Animation/Media Arts 9/2007 to 5/2008

California College of the Arts, San Francisco

Duties: I designed and taught the following classes in the graphic design and media

arts departments:

Flash Workshop students were introduced to animation principles and techniques,

storyboarding, motion theory, sound, video, digital art, interface design and creative/

functional navigation design in order to create online websites and animations

using Flash.

Introduction to Graphic Design a course covering fundamental principles and

elements of design through a series of lectures, readings, discussions and assignments

on key aspects of design and typography. Emphasis was placed on generating ideas,

concept development strategies, and acquiring problem-solving skills using both hand

and computer-based skills. Students were also introduced to Illustrator, Photoshop

and InDesign.

Tools 1 an introductory course where students learned to use Photoshop, Illustrator

and InDesign. Key concepts relating to print design and output were covered along

with concept development strategies through the application of software to design

based assignments.

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Coordinator/Assistant Professor of Graphic Design 8/2005 to 8/2007

University of San Francisco, San Francisco

Duties: As the coordinator of the graphic design emphasis, my duties involved

curriculum development, scheduling of classes, supervising the work of the Director of

Visual Arts Technology, development and integration of student advisement

strategies, mentoring of students through directed studies/external design projects,

assigning of classes to adjunct faculty, preparation of yearly budget items in regards

to technology/equipment needs and undertaking various committee work

throughout the University including job searches. My professional practice involves

undertaking design work for both internal and external clients. Research interests

include examining successful methodologies of integrating learning technologies and

processes behind creative problem solving into a design curriculum. I taught and

designed the following classes.

Design for Web a junior/senior level class presenting a cross-disciplinary approach

to learning key aspects of web design through a series of theoretical, practical and

design-related workshops, concentrating on approaches to creative problem-solving,

graphic design for screen, human-centered design, interactive and interface design

principles, information architecture, optimization and navigational strategies,

accessibility and usability issues for the online delivery of content. Students were

introduced to XHTML and CSS based technologies as well as Dreamweaver

and Flash.

Design Portfolio a senior level class concerned with producing a final self-

promotional package including web/cd/dvd design portfolio, flat book portfolio and

complete stationery set cover letter, resume and business card. Students

participated in critique sessions on creative and conceptual development of portfolio

material. Theoretical aspects pertaining to developments of Internet and network

technologies were presented and discussed through case studies and articles. Issues

such as cross platform development, search engine optimization, design for web,

information design, integration of digital video, compression techniques, as well as

job search strategies, targeting employers and preparing for interviews were covered.

Guest lecturers from industry, alumni and career planning were invited to attend and

participate in class critiques and discussions.

Motion Graphics a junior/senior level class introducing students to time-based

communication strategies through the integration of a range of media and visual

and/or oral narratives. Students were required to present creative media design

solutions utilizing storyboarding techniques and develop their process of problem-

solving strategies using a sketchbook. Readings and case studies provided insight into

historical and theoretical aspects of motion design as well as discussions on the

cultural context of target audiences from a global perspective. Students were given

opportunities to develop their understanding of animation, timing, use of

typography, composition and visual literacy aspects that could be utilized effectively

as part of a motion graphics project using sound, video, graphics and animation.

Students were introduced to After Effects, Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack.

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Introduction to Graphic Design a freshman/sophomore level class, introducing

students to principles of graphic design, grids, visual hierarchy, and typography

through readings, lectures, assignments, discussions and critique sessions.

Sketchbook/concept development, design history, publication design and print based

design techniques were also covered through practical and theoretical assignments.

Students were introduced to Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.

Assistant Professor of Graphic Design 8/2004 to 8/2005

University of San Francisco, San Francisco

Professor of Computer Art 9/1999 to 6/2004

Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, Electronic Media 2/1999 to 9/1999

University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, England

Visiting Lecturer, Graphic Communication 9/1997 to 6/2000

University of Wolverhampton, England

Visiting Lecturer, Electronic Media 9/1996 to 6/1999

University of Wolverhampton, England

Temporary Lecturer, NVQ II Information Technology 1/1995 to 6/1995

Bilston Community College, England

Visiting Lecturer, staff development 9/1994 to 12/1994

University of Wolverhampton, England

Visiting Lecturer, Photography 9/1993 to 6/1995

University of Wolverhampton, England

PROFESSIONAL

DESIGN Web Graphic Designer (contract) 10/2011 to 12/2011

EXPERIENCE Levi Strauss & Co., San Francisco

Duties involved concept design and production of a range of web assets for e-

commerce including email newsletters from concept through to final delivery using

HTML, extensive editing of images, including color correction, cropping and creative

placement on a variety of banner sizes, optimization of images for web, design of

landing pages and updates to current web sites.

Web Designer (contract) 12/2010 to 2/2011

BeeBliss, California

Duties involved editing existing web pages including design of new type treatments,

layout of content areas, updating product image shots and production of online ads.

Designer (contract) 5/2010 to 10/2010

CloudShare, Inc., San Mateo

Duties included design and production of sales and marketing collateral, brochures,

online ads, postcards, article reprints, web-based product demos and page layouts.

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Curriculum Designer and Coordinator (contract) 1/2010 to 2/2011

The BizWorld Foundation, San Francisco

Duties involved designing and creating artwork for curriculum material, which taught

school kids business skills. I designed layouts, charts, diagrams, newsletters,

brochures, large multi-page workbooks, manuals and supplemental materials using

Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as coordinating production of

curriculum kits with external companies and consultants. I also sourced and

implemented stock imagery, undertook extensive photo editing and compiled images

in Photoshop and Illustrator layouts for use in teaching and learning materials.

Art Director/Web/Print Designer 5/2009 to 6/2011

Kenchez Hair Salon, Wolverhampton, England

Duties involved the design and development of a website, logo and print collateral

including stationery, promotional material including full-color flyers and posters,

loyalty cards, appointment cards and price lists.

Visual Interface/Web Designer 2/2008 to 12/2008

PlanetOut, Inc. San Francisco

Duties involved the visual design of web pages, applications, graphical elements,

headers, ad units, blog pages, e-commerce forms, email campaigns and newsletters,

including production of page mockups from wireframes. Responsibilities also included

updating style guides, producing icons and emoticons for use in chat applications,

production of animated gifs, uploading status bars, masks, sourcing and editing stock

imagery, preparation of Photoshop layout files for developers, which involved

outlining detailed specifications of content areas, as well as generating assets in

appropriate formats. I also participated in quality assurance and user testing aspects of

site development, which involved generating documentation of feedback and

extensive error reporting.

Art Director/Web/Print Designer

Ava Apple, San Francisco 4/2007 to 6/2008

Duties involved the visual design and development of new website, logos and

associated websites for Latin Symbolics, Symbolic Mambo and Ava and Rodolfo. Final

sites can be viewed online at www.avaapple.com.

Freelance Web Designer 8/2007 to 4/2008

Flair Designs, San Francisco

As a freelance designer, I worked on a range of web design projects, which involved

production of animated gifs and web pages using CSS, XHTML, Dreamweaver

and Flash.

VOLUNTEER

EXPERIENCE AIGA San Francisco, Board Member/Chair of Education 6/2006 to 6/2008

Responsible for organization and planning of studio 5 design outreach project,

annual portfolio day, enrichment scholarship award and educational

representative for the San Francisco chapter.

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Promax/BDA North America and World Gold Awards, Judge 3/2006 and 3/2007

Reviewed/judged 120 entries of professional motion graphics work from all over the

world consisting of motion graphics, stings, commercials and promos.

AIGA Events Committee, Volunteer 2/2006 to 9/2006

Duties involved setting up various design-related events for the design community,

educators and professionals in San Francisco.

EXHIBITIONS/

CONFERENCES/ Motion Graphic Design: Applied History and Aesthetics by Jon Krasner,

ACHIEVEMENTS Focal Press 4/2007

Student work produced in motion graphics class during fall 2006 and fall 2004

published in book.

College Arts Association 95th Annual Conference, New York 2/2007

Presentation of peer-reviewed paper titled Application of a sketchbook to a motion

graphics project published in annual conference proceedings.

Hawaii 5th Annual International Conference on Arts and

Humanities, Honolulu 1/2007

Presentation of peer-reviewed paper titled Design in Motion published in annual

conference proceedings.

AIGA Design Frontier Conference, Colorado 12/2006

Presentation of peer reviewed paper titled Flexibility and focus in the

design of a Graphic Design curriculum published on web posting.

Teaching Motion by Steven Heller 4/2006

Student work produced in motion graphics class published in book.

Amnesty International USA 11/2004

Student work from motion graphics class requested for donation and

inclusion in local events.

PROFESSIONAL

MEMBERSHIPS AIGA, San Francisco 11/2004 to 11/2008

College Art Association (CAA) 5/2006 to 5/2007

Association for Computing Machinery (Siggraph) 3/2006 to 3/2007

Broadcast Design Association (BDA) 11/2005 and 11/2006

SOFTWARE SKILLS

Proficient in the following software on Macintosh and PC platforms:

PhotoShop Illustrator InDesign

Dreamweaver XHTML CSS

Fireworks Flash Basic ActionScripting

WordPress Microsoft Office After Effects

Final Cut Pro SoundTrack Pro 3D Studio Max

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