Resume

STEVE MERAZ  Graphic Artist/Production Designer, Altadena, CA

smeraz07@gmail.com   www.stevemeraz.blogspot.com   714-307-5181

Employment

Production Designer (Contractor), 24Seven Inc/Creative Group/Creative Circle, Seattle and Los Angeles (209-2012)  Catalog production for 686 Snowboard Apparel, prepping high volume of images in Photoshop, web banners, Illustrator logos, InDesign layout; Produced POP and in-store signage for T-Mobile through Wong Doody Advertising; Design and production of DVD packaging and sales pieces for Topics Entertainment.

Graphic Artist, Co-Owner, Delish Bakery, Auburn, WA (2009-2011)

Co-Owner for bakery which features graphic and logo cookies and cakes. Created identity/collateral for bakery, as well as assisted with operations and order fulfillment. Have taken care of technical aspects of graphic-oriented desserts, including operation of edible-ink printers. Clients include Visa, Alaska Air, Masterpark and Flyertalk as well as private parties.

Lead Production Artist (Contractor), Frederick's of Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA (2006 - 2009)

Performed all duties related to catalog production, utilizing Adobe Creative Suite software, in addition to CaptureOne Pro, FileBuddy, CD Finder, etc. Assisted in the training of new freelancers in catalog production,    in addition to managing worklfow and maintaining deadlines. Responsible for imageprocessing, contact sheets and organization and archiving of all photos from shoots. Created seasonal templates, art libraries and style guides for use by creative team. Photo-edited comps of models and apparel for use by color-house. Performed pre-flight and final tech-check prior to uploading of final files to printer. Performed routine backups of catalog and drives. Worked closely with vendors, including photography studio, color house and printer. Helped maintain department printers, equipment and software.

Production Artist (Contractor), The Capital Group through Aquent, Inc. Los Angeles, CA (2005 - 2006)

Responsible for production of enrollment books and orientation manuals for a variety of clients such as Trader Joe's and Charles Schwab, on Mac OS, using Adobe Creative Suite as well as Lotus Notes. Built system of maintaining updates across a matrix of shared pages between enrollment books.

Production Artist (Contractor), Filter Talent, Seattle, WA (2003 - 2005)

Perform production art duties on a temporary basis for companies such as Y&R Brands, Avenue A-Razorfish, ScreenLife/SceneIt? and Qualis Health. Client projects included: Microsoft, Boeing, Harry Potter, Disney, James Bond and Turner Classic Movies. Projects range from collateral, packaging dvd covers and board game design to health related and technical data sheets, using Adobe Creative Suite as well as QuarkXpress 6.0.

Senior Graphic Artist, Marketing Department, Union Bank, San Francisco, CA (1998-2003)

In-house artist responsible for producing bank-wide newspaper and charity-sector artwork. Produced posters, brochures and flyers for over 250 branches as well as internal departments. Collaborated on special projects specific to bank branding standards. Responsibilities increased as position evolved: coordinated and managed production of all charity ads; maintained ad and logo libraries; created job and collateral database; streamlined internal ad-request process.

Pre-press Artist, Linotext, Inc., San Francisco, CA (1997 - 1998)

Performed pre-press, output and proofing of digital files. Experienced in output to a variety of devices including Dolev 800 and Agfa 5000 and 7000. Produced blueline and match print proofs from film, using camera and film processors.

Production Artist, MacPeople, Oakland, CA (1996 - 1997)

A temporary recruiting agency for Macintosh trained Graphic Artists. Assignments included Highway-1 Communications and Union Bank of California. Projects varied from Sprite campaign to bank statement stuffers and brochures.

Layout/Production Artist, Advo Inc., Compton, CA (1992 - 1996)

Designed and produced spot to four-color advertisements for nationwide direct mailings. Worked closely with and supported sales representatives in designing sales tools (comp ads) which helped to procure such clients as Pizza Hut, Hilton Hotels, Honda dealerships and Napa Auto Parts. Transferred to print facility in order to advance printing and pre-press skill set.

Education

Art Center, Pasadena, CA (2007/2010) Attended Art Center at Night; Graphic Design/Industrial Design (commute by air 2010).

The Grendel, Denver, CO (2007) School of Screen Printing; Instructed in setup and application of screen printing.

Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), San Francisco, CA (2001 - 2003) Major: Fashion Design.

CCA (California College of the Arts), Oakland/San Francisco, CA (1999 - 2000) Major: Fashion Design.

Platt College, Ontario, CA (1990 - 1991) Certificate of Completion: Graphic Design, computer graphics and production art.