Years Experience Design

Graphics/Prepress (Harrison Twp. MI )

Date: ****-10-11, 2:15PM EDT

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Paul G. LaBont

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OBJECTIVE

You will find my skills and background to be an excellent match for your Graphic/Prepress department. With many years working in the graphics industry proficiency comes natural in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Quark. I am accustom to performing in deadline driven environments and enjoy turning concept into a quality product, keeping the deadline first priority.

QUALIFICATIONS

Over 20 years experience in graphic design and layout of all formats, ads, brochures, presentations, Illustrations, displays etc., working for high graphic intensive companies.

Most recent years experience have been setting up large format image files for print on POP displays with UV and solvent Inks for leading specialty and big box retailers. Very knowledgeable with backlit and second surface printing. Create trapping and choking of color separations for production print run on screen press.

Experienced in the printing of vacuum formed 3 dimensional products. This is a special process where a flat 2 dimensional image is digitally distorted, screen printed, second surface on acrylic or PETG, heated, vacuum formed into a 3 dimensional product and backlit for 3D display.

6 years in production management of print publications. Experience in everything from managing work flow, page and book layout to flight checking files and performing on site press checks at various printing facilities in the nation. Knowing the printers dot gain and specs to create files printer friendly.

2 years in 3D design of kiosks, cabinetry and fixtures for stores and malls throughout the US. Managed product from concept to production. Work one on one with clients to understand their objective, design pieces that are customized to their working needs and still keeping within the malls criteria.

Grasp concepts and interpret the clients unspoken wishes to produce the perfect solution. Complete projects quickly from beginning to end creating stable files for image separation or composition digital output and electronic upload. Can work any task given.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Many years of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Quark. Good knowledge and able to utilize Sketchup, MicroStation and Multi-Ad Creator on a Mac or PC platform. My resume reflects, the experience at which I work. Accustomed to performing in deadline driven environments and enjoy turning concept into a concrete product, always keeping the deadline first priority. Graphic design and layouts of all formats are the bulk of what I have done for newspaper and magazine publishing companies, retail advertisers, architect firms, advertising agencies and promotional industries.

My most recent position has been setting up large format image files to be printed with UV or solvent inks on substrates of all kinds such as acrylic, PETG, Sintra, Corex, wood and vinyl laminate for POP displays. Very experienced with backlit and second surface printing. Included in my skill set I have been designing kiosks, cabinetry and

store fixtures in 3D for various malls in the US, working for top branded clients. The 3D gives the client a true visual feel for the product before production and establishes ground foundations before actual construction drawings are created. Working in CAD has been common as well for setting up store floor plans of fixture placement.

Why I would be an asset to your company:

Experience with numerous graphic programs and choosing which one is best for the project: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Quark, Sketchup, or MicroStation.

Visualize concept and take it through to an actual product.

Ability to understand color and how to correct and enhance an image, most important, to know when to stop.

Years of experience in layout design of all types.

Have always worked for high impact deadline targeted companies. Newspaper and magazine publications, advertising agencies and retail and promotional ones as well.

Recent years have adapted me to 3D layout of kiosks, working in Sketchup to bring a better visual to the client before delivering the final product.

Comfortable working in almost any situation given. Can adapt quickly.

Excellent work flow and management skills. Creating and archiving stable files that are not unnecessarily too large.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Graphic Design/Digital Imaging, 09/2007 - 09/2012

Palmer Promotional Products, St. Clair Shores, MI

Graphic/Digital Designer for a major POP company with international clients like, Verizon, Sprint, Pepsi, Coke, RJR, Budweiser, Miller, State Lottery and more. I Worked in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign to create, manipulate and color correct images most of which were large format. Output color separations for silk screen printing or digitally output for POP displays on aluminum, acrylic, PETG thermoplastic, Sintra, Corex, wood and laminate. The displays ranged from, backlit signs, LED action displays, pool table lamps, large focal walls and cocktail tables, just to name a few. Experience in UV inks, back lit

and second surface printing. Trapping and choke of color separations was checked and adjusted for the best plate registration possible. Created and sent proofs to clients for approval. Output film on an Agfa Avantra 36-44 for all silk screen imaging, which I maintained as well. Labeled and archived all files. Using Sketchup a 3D software

program, I designed cabinetry, kiosks and fixtures for an assortment of vendors to be placed in malls and retail stores throughout the nation. These 3D drawings helped the client to get a better understanding of the piece before the unit goes into actual production. I used the same drawings to create a 20 page presentation approval kit to send to the mall for management review.

Designer/Art Director, 2007

B.S. Young & Associates Ltd, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

Bi-monthly trade magazine publications catering to the concrete and masonry industry. I compiled information from copy editors, advertisers, and proofreaders for the design and layout of the publications pages for print production. Designed all advertising client ads that were not camera ready for placement. Proofed all camera-ready ads for prepress reproduction and correct with approvals. Color correct and resized all photos needing adjustments for output. Created PDF files of the edition pages, flight checked, collected and send via FTP to the printing facility. Archived all materials and data for the company.

Print Production Manager, 2007

Doner Advertising Agency, Southfield, MI

An award winning advertising agency specializing in all aspects of the print media department. My duties there were to estimate costs and gather proper materials and information in the processing of ads, billboards,

internet postings, etc., for major accounts such as Mazda, Hotels.com, Lexmark, Buffets and MinuteMaid. Directed production workflow of client jobs making certain all specs were met and to assure that production was established within the budget. Perform on-screen viewing and proofing of jobs with creative and the account representatives to preserve accurate communication between client and prepress. Retain a current database of all publication ad sizes and specs. Confirm type of digital format and proof material for final shipping to the publications or printers. Manage and insure a smooth workflow

into prepress and retouching.

Production Mgr & Sr. Graphic Designer, 2005 - 2006

Autofocus of Detroit, Troy, MI

Two weekly automotive publications, with a circulation rate of 60,000. Designed covers, ads and internal material for both publications. Managed the production room and assisted in all phases of prepress to assure the stability of generated PDF files to our printing facility. I was scheduled on a twenty-four hour required phone availability to correct any problems that might occur through transmission of PDF files. Set up a work flow system to generate PDF files more efficiently and quickly while saving time and money in production. Performing regular press checks at the printing facilities.

Sr. Graphic Designer / Production Mgr, 1998 - 2004

General Media, St. Clair Shores, MI

Automotive bi-weekly trade publication, with a circulation of 70,000 to 100,000. Communicated with sales representatives and clients to identify their needs and determine specifications, content and layout for the creation of ads, brochures and flyers. Build ads in Quark and InDesign with the use of Photoshop and Illustrator. Layout publication and meet all press deadlines for 60+ page product. Color corrected all photos and photo retouch for perfect visual enhancement. Produced graphics for editorials, presentations, proposals and their web site. Converted, flight checked, and transmitted PDF files to outsourced press site. In my process I had perfected new PDF file technology, cutting production time by 30% and saving the company production cost. Designed, maintained, and updated the web site weekly. Delegate assignments to the department designers. Filed, backed up, and archived all images and fonts. Scheduled and performed regular press checks at the Gannett offset plant in Minnesota.

Prepress Ad Coordinator; Sr. Graphic Des, 1995 - 2000

Detroit Newspapers, Detroit, MI

Major Gannett newspaper publication. Designed four color glossy stock ads for newspaper inserts and worked with sales reps to design spec ads for potential clients. Among color correcting photos I dispatched all daily ads through proper channels of the department for correct insertion of the edition to be plated for press run. One of the long term projects because of the famous newspaper strike, was to help design and develop standard operating procedure manuals for floor work flow.

Sr. Graphic Designer for national retail, 1983 - 1995

Frank's Nursery & Crafts, Crafts, MI

Specialty retail store chain. Designed ads, booklets, brochures, packages, circulars and inter office materials. Set up photo shoots for the circulars and catalogs.

CERTIFICATES / LICENSES

Courses and member of National Association of Photoshop Professionals NAPP, MI

Macintosh Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Dynamic Graphics Professional Education Course on OSX

EDUCATION

Macomb College

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