Michael R. Helman

Creative graphic designer with 12 years of impressive graphic and interactive design experience seeking an exciting and challenging position in which I can bring together my artistic, technical and business experiences to help a company grow.

E X P E R I E N C E

Art Director
Flying Monkeys Studio - Chicagoland, IL
July 1997 - Present
Responsible for the design and production of all promotional materials; including business identity and web site. Write proposals and consult with clients to determine their needs, goals, deadlines and budget. Create corporate identities, marketing campaigns, brochures, advertising, multimedia presentations, websites and illustrations for clients ranging from small startups to fortune 500 companies.

Clients include: A&R Security, Carnegie Morgan, Century Recruiting, The Deck Store, Direct Advantage Advertising, Earthly Things, E-Tip Tools, K-Cider, Lakeside Bank, NFC Consulting Services, Riverside Technologies, Rocket Science, Sales Catalyst, Security Solutions and Tony Mistretta Graphics.

New-Media Designer
Direct Advantage, Inc. - Chicago, IL
December 2004 - Present
Responsible for the design, layout and typesetting of direct mail pieces, advertisements, logos and signage for this advertising agency. Redesigned company's website along with other websites.

Senior Graphic Designer
Aronson Advertising - Des Plaines, IL
June 2003 - November 2004
Responsible for the design, layout and typesetting of direct mail pieces, advertisements, logos and signage for this advertising agency. Redesigned company's website along with other websites.

Multimedia Designer
Waters and Wolfe Advertising - Evanston, IL
www.wnwolfe.com
October 2000 - March 2001
Worked closely with the art director and programmers in the design and creation on company's Flash website. Designed and coded numerous websites and promotional graphics. Created Flash and Director presentations for use on the internet and kiosks. Assisted art department with designs, layouts and typesetting for advertisements.

Clients included: Arcor USA, American Colloid Company, Nazdar Printing, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Success National Bank.

Senior Graphic Designer
Next New Home - Chicago, IL
April 2000 - September 2000
Worked on re-designing company's image with a team of designers and programmers for print and internet purposes. Directed and built promotional Flash and Director presentations for CD-Rom and website. Created business cards, CD packaging and direct mail pieces.

Art Director
Ekman Stimson Advertising - Chicago, IL
May 1995 - April 2000
Responsible for the design, layout and typesetting of all printed materials, such as direct mail pieces, corporate identities, four-color advertisements, signage and storyboards for this full service advertising agency. Participated in creative pitches and presented design concepts to clients. Monitored vendor progress by approving quotes, proofs and delivery coordination to locations. Hired personnel for the art department and trained staff on multiple design platforms. Maintained, upgraded and troubleshot computers for entire office.

Junior Graphic Designer
Money Mailer of the Midwest - Westchester, IL
July 1994 - April 1995
Provided general desktop publishing and image correction for direct mail brochures. Assisted art director in the design and creation of company manuals.

E D U C A T I O N

Columbia College, Chicago, IL - 1993
bachelor degree of communication arts
emphases in graphic design and animation

Moraine Valley Community, Palos Heights, IL - 1990
associates degree of liberal arts

Think! Creative Media, Milwaukee, Wis - 2000
Certification - Director 8


Q U A L I F I C A T I O N S

Technical: graphic design, illustration, animation, web and multimedia, typography, html, dhtml, and javascript

Computer: photoshop, illustrator, freehand, quark x press, fireworks, flash, director, acrobat, powerpoint, excel, word, pagemaker, typestyler, fontographer, multi-ad creator, dreamweaver and frontpage

 

References and available upon request.