SUMMARY

I am passionate about Art, Design, and Technology. I blend my skills to create artwork, websites, print media and business ventures.

SKILLS

  • Microsoft Office
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • .Net
  • SQL
  • Visual Basic Studio
  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Flash
  • Photography
  • Final Cut Pro X
  • Adobe Premiere
  • CSS
  • CSS3
  • HTML5
  • HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Adobe Fireworks
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Graphic Design
  • Web Design
  • Videography
  • Unix
  • Motion 5
  • Web Design
  • Web Development
  • SEO
  • Windows
  • Mac OS X
  • Linux
  • Adobe InDesign
  • XML
  • Wordpress
  • AJAX
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Responsive Web Design

EXPERIENCE

Ag Leader - 12 / 2011 - Current

Web Developer / Graphic Designer

  • Responsible for website server maintenance
  • Conducted user experience studies to find areas of improvement on webpages.
  • Created custom web, and print graphics using Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator CS5.5
  • Worked closely with printing venders to get desired print materials
  • Filmed and edited promotional videos using professional video editing software including Finial Cut Pro X, Motion 5, After Effects, and Premiere
  • Designed user-centric websites.
  • Used photography technics to capture images of product’s and events.

BIRDDOGJOBS.COM - 04 / 2011 – 11 / 2011

Web Development/Design

  • Cut time for production of custom career pages creation from 2 days down to 8-10 minutes.
  • Used web development and teamwork skills to solve complex web development challenges.
  • Maintenance on .Net Framework Website BirdDogJobs.com.
  • Created Custom Illustrations using graphic software and graphic tablet.
  • Used creativity to help develop marketing plans to reach target audience.
  • Used Adobe Software to design web graphics.
  • Designed web layouts to maximize user interest and usability.
  • Designed effective print advertising.
  • Took the lead on user experience (UX) issues.

SOLUNA CREATIVE - 05 / 2007 – Present

Owner

  • Designed web pages utilizing numerous programming languages, graphics programs, and other applications.
  • Maintained existing websites; Implemented new functionalities.
  • Reorganized and redesigned sites incorporating suggested features to enhance the site’s feel and usability.
  • Applied design skills to web site development by designing custom graphics and forms for web sites.
  • Managed multiple web sites projects at one time.
  • Proficient in the use of several desktop publishing and graphic design programs.

MEREDITH PUBLISHING - 11 / 2008 - 02 / 2009

Interactive Media Generalist

  • Used HTML skills to develop online weekly newsletters;
  • Applied team working skills to the work environment to meet deadlines;
  • Utilized problem solving skills to create creative alternatives to increase work flow;

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Hire-A-Hero (BirdDog Project)

http://www.hireahero.org

  • Designed the front-end to fit customers’ requests and current logo.
  • Worked closely with VP of Development at BirdDog to ensure functionality.
  • Used user experience (UX) skills to developed intuitive design that still pleased the client.

Always on Recruiting (BirdDog Project)

http://www.alwaysonrecruiting.com/

  • Developed the marketing concept to target the desired audience.
  • Created custom illustrations for the graphics on the site.
  • Worked the project from start to finish with input from marketing team at BirdDog.
  • Designed and developed the front-end and back-end of the website.

Des Moines Artists

http://www.DesMoinesArtists.com

  • Currently Under Development
  • I am creating a small start-up marketplace for Des Moines artists.
  • Using Mail Chimp and other marketing skills to promote site before launch

Home Pros Inc.

http://www.iowahomepros.com

  • Designed around existing logo.
  • Implemented ideas from customer.
  • Project used Facebook for customer reviews.

Rich Dougherty Painting

http://www.rdpainting.com

  • Client need help in creating a website for his local painting business did not know where to start so I developed an plan of action to help guide him in the process
  • Added form JavaScript validation to decrease unwanted spam.

Little Explorers Childcare

http://www.littleexplorersonline.com

  • Helped create business plan, marketing strategies and branding
  • Designed logo in Photoshop and illustrator used logo in letterheads and other advertising
  • Adding Google Analytics to keep track of traffic to optimize site efficiency.

EDUCATION

KAPLAN UNIVERSITY

2007 – 2009

Associate of Applied Science, Computer Information Systems

ART INSTITUTE OF PHILADELPHIA

2008 – 2008

Web Design Courses

DES MOINES AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (DMACC)

2006 – 2007

Web Design Courses Art Institute, Online

RECOMMENDATIONS

“Jake is an extremely talented web developer, graphics wizard, and passionate student of UX/UI. Having Jake on board is like having a technology "Swiss Army Knife" on demand. Jake is able to ask questions about the future use of his technology work and make solid business recommendations and reasoned choices of direction. His contribution to long-term savings due to design choices have more than paid his salary. Jake takes initiative and proactively develops his skills, his leadership, and his design work by trying and doing...vs. wishing and waiting. I highly recommend Jake and believe he'll be a high value contributor wherever he lands.” -October 25, 2011

Douglas Mitchell, Vice President of Marketing, BirdDogJobs.com
managed Jake at BirdDogJobs.com

“Jake is instrumental in executing and designing all aspects of the marketing plan. He is constantly studying and reading up on the latest developments in his field. Jake has wonderful initiative and wisdom beyond his years. He realizes the importance of User Experience and works hard to make his projects work for the end user.” -October 19, 2011

Gabrielle Gribble, Marketing Manager, BirdDog Jobs
worked directly with Jake at BirdDogJobs.com

“Jake Smith is active here as a key, go-to resource for short deadline web design projects. He is so valuable because he can immediately envision and render a great aesthetic design then quickly translate it into programming code. Jake combines artistic skill with developer savvy to deliver solid work that promotes our BirdDog brand. The added bonus is that he is not a tempermental, high maintenance contributor -- he ensures that he understands the assignment and then comes back with functionable piece that exceeds our expectations day in and day out..” -September 19, 2011

Vince Johnson, Director of the Sourcing Team, BirdDog
worked with Jake at BirdDogJobs.com

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