Project Manager / Designer

Matthew McCluskey

931-***-**** ************@*****.***

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Innovative Graphic Designer with extensive experience with visual brand identity development. Big picture thinker with the ability to wear many hats. Over 20 years of experience as a professional Graphic Artist committed to maintaining cutting edge technical skills and up-to-date industry knowledge. Equipped with an excellent work ethic; possesses a strong sense of graphic design responsibility and leadership with a commendable track record of dependability, pooled creativity and absolute integrity.

● Works Well with Teams and Fosters Teamwork

● Ability to Conceptualize Cross Tier Components

● Extensive Understanding of Graphics and Publishing

● Ability to Lead by Example and Promote Creativity

● Proficient in Data Backup and Retrieval

● Knowledge on Product Templates

● Outstanding Collaborative Skills

● Excellent Communication Skills

● Exceptional Problem Solving Skills

● Strong Creative Design Skills

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

TAP Publishing Crossville, TN

Pre-Press Specialist, Graphic Designer, Press Operator June 2000 – Present

• Performs print and online production. Creates magazine within the pre-press / graphic design department.

• Handles the overall formatting process of all pre-press and online templates both in-house and commercial.

• Utilizes Kodak Preps Imposition Software and Adobe CS4. Re-sizes in-house and commercial magazines.

• Proven ability in maximizing and utilizing Adobe CS4, Adobe Acrobat, Pitstop, Kodak Preps 5.3, Microsoft Office and various other leading software to handle all aspects of print and online advertising for Trade-a-Plane, Rock and Dirt, Tradequip International, as well as various Commercial Magazines.

• Duties include: leading team in new product rollout, serving as Kodak Preps operating system expert, providing technical support for entire organization, and performing departmental purchasing.

• Successfully operates and maintains the Solna 8 and 12 unit multi color heat set web presses.

• Strives to offer superior printed and web-based products and services while providing excellent customer service and paying close attention to client needs in fast changing technological environments.

• Establishes budgets and production schedules; directs communication with clients; provides QC.

• Manages in a deadline-driven environment with an emphasis on working within budget requirements.

• As a designer, passionate and inventive creator of innovative marketing strategies in concept creation.

• Proven expertise in designing and producing creative artwork for marketing and promotional materials.

• Collaborates with creative team in the coordination of graphic design projects concept to completion.

• Completed and received Closed Loop Color Control Certification from QuadTech Inc.

Anderson Performance Printing Cookeville, TN

Graphic Artist / Lead Pressman July 1996 – June 2000

• Demonstrated ability in all aspects of pre-press work, including: stripping, camera work, and plate making.

• Consistently brought in various new and already working ideas to the printing and publishing enterprise.

• Operated and maintained Muller Martini stitcher/book binder, cutters, and other finishing equipment.

• Offered research, purchasing, and implementation of preflight operations; maintained Shinohara multi color sheetfed presses while partnering with a team in growth of the CTP and digital pre-press.

• Experienced in initiating the designing and producing of artwork for marketing and promotional materials.

• Provided cover layout, design, print buying, supervision, estimating, trafficking, and client contact.

• Duties included: graphic design, customer service, pre-press, write-up of new projects, pre-flight files and preparation for printing; also provided stripping, plate making, press operation, and bindery as required.

• Participated in production of print items for key clients under the direction of the marketing department.

• Maintained a clean work area while ensuring “Safety First” procedures were followed throughout process.

Printing Dimensions Dayton, OH

Pre Press Specialist – Pressman February 1991 – June 1996

• Successfully increased workflow in all areas of pre-press, which included film stripping, camera work and plate making. Aided in the upgrading and production of the pre-press and pressroom.

• Regularly performed real-time management of a dynamic workforce using state-of-the-art technology.

• Consistently operated and maintained Pivano, Harris and Ryobi / Itek multi color offset presses.

• Continuously supervised a plateless printing machine that utilizes forms of electronic or digital printing.

• Established printing quality by pulling proof copies; adjusted ink distribution and drying temperatures.

• Maintained production and quality by inspecting random production samples and loading stock.

• Minimized downtime by troubleshooting stoppages/breakdowns and calling for maintenance assistance.

• Ensured press operation by completing preventative maintenance requirements and calling for repairs.

• Provided strong creative vision, communication, and management skills with the ability lead projects.

• Communicated with prepress technicians, prepared equipment for the printing process, and oversaw the printing process to make sure there were no errors.

Print Graphics Vandalia, OH

Pre-Press and Press Room Intern May 1990 – February 1991

• Provided assistance and support to web press operators, camera technicians, collator operators, plate makers, and film strippers. Consistently assisted with a variety of printing industry related operations.

• Coordinated with the production team and made sure that there were no problems in the production line.

• Focused with exceptional leadership skills and the ability to build high-performance teams and able to inspire, brief, and motivate designers and vendors through leadership and constructive feedback.

• Conducted post press operations, such as: bindery, finishing and shipping preparation, and paper cutter.

EDUCATION

Pre Press Solutions.com 2009

• Adobe Photoshop CS3/CS4 Pre-press Essentials

• Photoshop CS3/CS4 Essentials, Beyond the Basics and Advanced Techniques

• Adobe InDesign CS3/CS4 Essentials, Beyond the Basics and Advanced Techniques

• Adobe Illustrator CS3 Essentials

• Photoshop CS3/CS4 Top Secret Techniques training

• Certifications in Computer Technical Support, Information Technology

• Industry Knowledge, Network Technical Support, English Vocabulary, and Business Math

Montgomery County Joint Vocational School - GPA 4.0 Clayton, OH

Graphic Arts - Graphic Printing 1989

Graphic Printing, Commercial Art and Basic Photography. Two-Year Vocational Training. Gradated top of class with honors. Competed at State level in graphic printing finished in the Top Ten in the State of Ohio.

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Apple OSX Operating Systems, Adobe CS4, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat, Distiller

• Working knowledge of Windows operating systems and background troubleshooting Mac OSX

• Desktop Publishing Software: Adobe Distiller, InDesign, QuarkXpress

KEYWORD LIST

Product Design, Technical Documentation, Technical Support, Mactive, Website Management, Client Services, Employee Training, Graphic Design, Quark, InDesign, CS4, Adobe, Flash, Adobe Acrobat, Apple-OS, Action Script Writing, Design/Product Research, 4.0 GPA, Honors, Supply Chain Management, Printing, and Publishing.

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