Chicago

Equal parts technical and artistic, I have always enjoyed being creative and thrive when problem-solving. After graduating high school with honors, I moved from the Chicago area to West Lafayette, Indiana to attend Purdue University. I chose Purdue for its esteemed Computer Graphics program. The curriculum combines equal parts design and technology to provide a broad understanding of the graphics industry. In May of 2005, I attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Graphics Technology, with a specialization in Interactive Multimedia Development. I minored in Computer Information Technology and took additional courses in Art and Design.

During my junior year of college, I began working for Purdue's Engineering Computer Network as a Website Technician. The part-time position involved updating the ECN website and creating print graphics. Two and a half years later, the position had evolved into a full-time job leading a team in developing websites for various schools and departments within Purdue. These included websites for Industrial Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering, Engineering Research, and the University Visual Arts Committee.

Purdue University

My work with the Purdue University Visual Arts Committee led to being selected as a committee member during the 2005-2006 school year. As a committee member, I was involved in selecting art to be placed around Purdue's campus, both in classrooms and in a sculpture park. I also helped organize and run a Poster Exchange and was in charge of producing all flyers and print media associated with the committee. This opportunity allowed me to delve into the creative side of Graphics, where as my position at ECN focused on my technical and leadership skills.

After graduation, I took on side jobs creating album artwork for local musicians Sharon Dressen McKnight, Tim Smith and Allan Bilka's Retro Nouveau while continuing to work for Purdue. All of these were fulfilling opportunities, but I knew that I would not stay in Indiana for long. I love to travel and had visited many exciting cities that I felt better suited my personality. In October 2007, I made the move to Orange County, California.

Orange County, California

My first graphics experience in California was as a Marketing Assistant at Masterpiece Publishing. A unique insight into the world of Fine Art Publishing, this position included creating interactive 360 views of sculptures for web use, designing training materials and creating catalogs of artwork. From the art world I moved to the fashion world. As Graphic Designer for Pink Mascara, I create email campaigns and banner advertisements and edit hundreds of photos each week to update the online catalog. When the time came to revamp the online store's website, I was given the task of designing the new look and managing the project. The new and improved PinkMascara.com launched in March 2008. Soon after the launch, I represented Pink Mascara at the 2008 UniteU e-commerce conference in Chicago.