Craig S. Clear

**** ***** ***** *****

Jacksonville, FL 32244

214•564•2959

acz2lx@r.postjobfree.com

www.craigclear.com

CAREER SUMMARY: Seasoned Graphic Designer with over 20 years experience designing layout, collateral and promotional materials for web and print in various markets including retail, business to business and consumer. Capable of articulating goals and requirements and translating them into usable, innovative and aesthetically pleasing experiences from concept through completion. Comfortable working directly with clients, independently, or in a team environment.

Summary of Qualifications

Profound knowledge of office practices, procedures and documentation requirements.

Excellent knowledge of print production processes and their technical requirements.

Extensive graphic design skills.

Graphic software skills with proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, QuarkXPress, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, PowerPoint, Acrobat and Mac OS X.

Profound ability to work in a multi-project, team environment.

Management of employees including scheduling, training and general office protocol.

Strong ability to communicate effectively, both oral and written, with all levels of management, other employees, vendors and the general public.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff, customers, and coworkers.

Ability to translate the vision of an organization to design applications while maintaining branding initiative.

Professional Experience

Allstate, Jacksonville, FL 10/2014 – 2/2016 and 9/2016 – 12/2016

Graphic Designer

Creation of inventory templates for nationwide usage both printed and online.

Work directly with Product Support to maintain regulatory state and national insurance mandates on design files.

Dialogue with marketing managers, pre-press, and IT to maintain consistency of marketing materials.

Medtronic, Jacksonville, FL 2/2016 – 6/2016

Graphic Designer

Creation of graphic materials both printed and online.

Work directly with MarComm to create design for new and existing product line(s) while adhering to brand standards.

Aquent/Daymon Worldwide, Jacksonville, FL 6/2012 – 5/2014

Package Designer

Preparation of extensive volume of mechanical artwork for customers.

Insure regulatory data and requirements are met on approved design files.

Frequent dialogue with packaging development managers, pre-press and print vendors.

Clear Designs, Fleming Island, FL 3/2011 – 5/2012

Graphic Designer

Develop advertising and graphic design concepts.

Supervise and direct outside suppliers of designs on a given project to assure budgets are met.

Conduct research, data compilation and analysis, and apply findings to projects.

Personally create mechanical/production art.

Independently approve proofs and supervise press runs when necessary.

Remain abreast of contemporary design and art direction techniques and technology.

Requisition of graphic production material and supplies.

FirstFitness, Carrollton, TX 6/2002 – 3/2011

Art Director

Work independently and with others to develop advertising and marketing concepts.

Provide artistic and graphic leadership in all media.

Direct efforts of FirstFitness Distributors on projects as assigned to assure most cost-effective use of time/resources.

Participate in presentations and FirstFitness marketing activities.

Maintain reference material on projects.

Enforce adherence to FirstFitness design standards at all times.

Supervise requisition of graphic production material and supplies.

Performed high resolution scanning and color correcting of digital images.

Conducted follow-up calls to existing photographers and established relationships with new photographers.

TMP Worldwide/Monster.com, Dallas, TX 5/1997 – 5/2002

Supervisor of Creative Services

Planned, produced, coordinated, and followed-up on advertising designs and collateral layouts with the art director.

Supervised and provided both formal and informal direction and support to a team of 6 designers.

Initiated cross-training with other departments to improve work flow and streamline project completion.

Prepared files for pre-press output including flight-checking, producing color proofs and creating press-ready PDFs.

Incorporated ideas and made revisions in response to the well-reasoned criticisms of other team members and clients.

Created marketing promotion pieces with the Account Executive manager.

Monitored inventory of equipment, ordered supplies according to departmental policies and budget constraints.

Maintained responsibility for projects by reviewing and signing off on all revisions and production phases.

Clientele included: American Eagle, Blockbuster, Dave & Buster's, Frito-Lay, Haggar, Samsung, Sonic, and TGI Fridays.

US WEST Communications Denver, CO 4/1996 – 4/1997

Graphic Designer

Performed design and production assignments for a variety of departments within the organization.

Conferred closely with departments regarding desired product, projects or service needs.

Enhanced books, newsletters, and other publications.

Determined techniques, materials and equipment best suited for the job.

Education

B.FA. Advertising and Graphic Design

Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, CO (1994)

Externships

Request Television/Reiss Media Enterprises -Denver, CO

The Children’s Museum - Denver, CO

Awards & Honors

NAEA National Newsletter Award - Western Region

•Scholarship to Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design

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