Resume of J. Christopher Schmidt

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
-8+ years as practicing Freelance Illustrator, Graphic Designer and Web Designer
-1+ year as Project Manager and Toy Designer on Product Development Team
-1.5+ years experience as Art Director / Graphic Designer
-Proven customer service and client relation skills
-Creative and detail oriented
-Great interpersonal skills

EDUCATION
8/1995 - 12/2000 COLUMBUS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN, Columbus, OH
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration
College Honors: Scholarship, Dean's List

EXPERIENCE
Freelance Illustrator    01/2001 - Current    www.artisticschmidt.net
Consulted with individuals and businesses to meet their design needs on a project-to-project basis.
- Provided specialized creative services to meet and exceed the needs of each client.
- Conceived "Local Musicians" advertisement for Borders Books and Music.
- Illustrated cover for "Cinema Wasteland" horror convention brochure.
- Developed "Zoo Lights" invitation for client appreciation event.
- Contributed comic pin-up to "Dead at 17 Protectorate" issue #3 published by Viper Comics.
- Designed book cover for "Flipping the Temple" by Joshua Minton.
- Created CD layout and imagery for the band "The Nipples" album Weekend Toys.
- Depicted several comic strips for print media published by Artlimited.

Product Development    08/2007 - 08/2008    Wild Republic (K & M International, Inc.), Twinsburg, OH
Worked with a talented staff to help produce a strong line of toys and plush from concept to final product.
- Simultaneously managed several hundred projects.
- Responsible for design, revision and approval of all individual projects as well as making sure they each meet and exceed all safety standards worldwide.
- Worked on cutting edge eco-friendly products for 2009 product line.
- Designed custom projects for Disney, Sea World Australia, Borders, the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums), Natural History Museum in London, Pittsburgh Zoo, Georgia Aquarium, etc.
- Traveled to China, New York and Chicago to gain a knowledge of competitors and the toy industry as a whole.
- Helped to develop the 2009 product line, said to be one of the strongest lines in the companies 25+ year history.

Graphic Designer    02/2007 - 08/2007    ABC Signs & Graphics Inc., Strongsville, OH
Designed, printed and organized projects for large-scale printing and Sign Company.
- Produced business cards, brochures, ads, banners and car wraps.
- Responsible for all artwork development and printing on all media.
- Installed signs and vinyl graphics onsite.
- Developed hands-on vinyl and car wrap application skills.
- Helped streamline production processes for optimal results.

Retail Sales    01/2006 - 09/2006    Petitti Garden Centers, Strongsville, OH
Managed the statuary department, a section of the store dedicated to fountains, pottery, statues and fountain related equipment.
- Maintained fountains, set up, delivery and sales.
- Made over 150% profits for the 2006 season.
- Delivered 95% of all fountains on time with minimal return maintenance.
- Organized outside sales, orders and inventory.

Art Director / Graphic Designer    11/2004 - 12/2005    Wizard Graphics, Inc., Bowling Green, OH
Prepared and designed all artwork for small screen-printing and embroidery business.
- Created custom artistry, logos, and drawings to client specifications.
- Interacted with customers daily to gain artwork approval or changes.
- Met all deadlines.
- Developed new projects consistently to support new clientele.
- Worked exclusively with Bowling Green State University athletics department.

EXPERTISE
- Software: Microsoft: Word, Excel, Office
- Adobe: Photoshop CS3, Illustrator CS3, In Design CS3, Acrobat Professional 7.0, Pagemaker
- Corel: Draw, Painter Macromedia: Dreamweaver, Freehand, Fireworks
- Platform: MAC and PC
- Equipment: Intuos 3 Wacom Tablet, HP Designjet 9000S, Graphtec Cutting Pro FC7000-160

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Concept acknowledged into Guitar Mania II Juried Art Exhibit 2004
- Artist as an Entrepreneur Institute 2006
- Community Partnership for Arts and Culture Member 2006-2008
- Cleveland Public Art Member 2006-2008

REFERENCES
Available upon request