Steven Monsen
Hartford, WI 53027
262.623.2015
Objective
Help clients establish the direction of outstanding creative, lead and mentor others in my field and help others understand the creative process while creating the best possible product by applying my skills and experience. Be part of a team that is fiercely determined to develop killer ideas and have the passionate drive to fulfill their visions. I am a seasoned senior graphic designer and art director seeking to expand my skills and make new alliances in the design community.
Professional Profile
- 15 Years professional design experience producing creative for custom publisher and in house agencies
- 2 years experience designing websites using the open source web software, Drupal; PHP and CSS
- Results-oriented, hands-on leader who believes strongly in raising the standards of visual communication and encouraging others to maintain those standards
- Group leader who manages designers, photographers and freelancers in the design direction
- Comfortable and experienced in presenting design and marketing concepts, direction to all levels of management and clients
- Positive, optimistic, well-organized self-starter who excels under pressure and meets deadlines
- Ability to conceptualize multiple unique designs within a tight time frame
- Strong understanding of typography, web layout, visual design, video and audio
- Solid grasp of color theory and palettes
- Advanced Photoshop, InDesign and Drupal skills
- Acute attention to usability, content-driving-design mentality
Creative
- Conceptualize, design, and produce high impact publications and marketing materials
- Develop comprehensive sales, marketing and promotional materials including but not limited to: brochures, direct mailers, outdoor advertising, show and exhibit design, apparel, package design, advertisements, web design, vehicle markings, catalogs, logos, annual reports, directories, publications and other collateral pieces.
- Develop and edit video and audio for online and podcasting
- Familiar with the importance of creating an engaging, intuitive and stimulating user experience through design
- Directed and performed photo shoots and managed graphic designers and freelance artists
Work History
Art Director, Alliance for Children and Families, A nonprofit member organization, December 2007 – present
Creative Mastermind, Monsen Design, Hartford, WI, freelance designer for a variety of clients, April 2007 – December 2007
Sr. Art Director, High Velocity Communications Inc., Waukesha, WI, a custom magazine publisher, March 2004 – April 2007
Advertising Specialist, FABCO Equipment Inc., Madison, WI, a Caterpillar dealer, Jan. 1998 – March 2004
Sr. Graphic Designer, Auto Meter Products, Sycamore, IL, Mfg. of automotive aftermarket products, June 1995 – Dec. 1997
Designer, Stephen Fossler Company, Crystal Lake, IL, a manufacturer of quality foil embossed labels
Designer, Contract Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, IL, a company producing custom displays and graphics for trade shows
Associations
National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), June 1999 – present
Education
Elgin Community College, Graphic Design, Honors program member, Jan. 1993 - June 1994
University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, Architecture, Aug. 1989 – Dec. 1992
Work Samples
Please review my portfolio. Additional printed work samples available on request.
References
Work and personal references available on request.