PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Freelance Graphic Designer
Sewell, NJ
July 2003 –  present
Creates cover designs and page layout for the custom publishing industry and self publishers. Works with custom publisher project managers, authors and printers to complete these projects. Handles photo research for the covers.  All cover design projects include 3 sample covers for approval, correction cycle pdf proofs then packaged files and a press pdf for printing. All page layout projects include sample page layout design of approximately 20 pages, pdfs for proof approval process and packaged/press pdfs for printing. Clients include Cengage Learning, Fountainhead Press, Booksurge (an Amazon Company ) and Academx Publishing.

Production Policies and Procedures Consultant
Office of Research and Development/Instructional Design- Florida State College, Jacksonville, FL
October 2011 –  December 2011
Provided consultation on the following publishing topics: The Organization of a Publisher including Roles and Development of Production, Production Workflow, Scheduling Work, Rewriting versus Editing Content, Maintaining Editorial Consistency and Standards, Acquiring Images and Permissions, File Naming Conventions, Maintaining Page Layout Format, Using Adobe InDesign, Building Course Shells and Archives/Releases. The consultation involved an initial trip to meet with FSCJ Course Development and Production departments, create written documentation and a follow up trip to present recommendations to FSCJ Office of Instructional Design COO, Directors and Staff. The written documentation included an overall analysis of current procedures, traditional publishing procedures and recommendation to assist in the development of FSCJ production procedures.

Print Buyer
Independence Blue Cross, Philadelphia, PA
July 2008 –  April 2009
Responsible for the coordination of all print materials created by the graphic designers. Ensured the accurate and timely completion of internal and external Creative Services projects. Worked with internal clients, internal and external designers, and external vendors to produce high quality, cost-effective print collateral materials.
Handled 43 Medicare Government Program print projects within a 3 month period.
Acted as Project Lead on Print Procurement Manager’s RFP Project which resulted in the recommendation of 17 Printer and Fulfillment vendors for IBC.
• Developed and initiated FTP Site procedures to upload printer files.
• Created and implemented the vendor performance database.
• Participated in the development of the vendor job information/schedule intranet site.

Production Manager
J/B Woolsey Associates, Elkins Park, PA
September 2002 –  June 2003
Coordinated contracted production services.  Managed complete production processes for main text and supplementary components.  Worked closely with the client book team, vendors, authors, art studio and freelancers to complete projects on determined budget and schedule.
• Acted as Production Manager on the number one Physics text in the USA- Serway: Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 6/e.
• Educated fellow production co-workers and clients to handle PDF workflow process.
• Trained co-workers in new technologies related to the Publishing industry.

Senior Production Manager-Media
Harcourt College Publishers, Philadelphia, PA              
December 1999 – June 2002
Managed all aspects of media manufacturing including package design, prepress and manufacturing technologies and processes for approximately 120-175 supplement titles per year.
• Implemented production plans for various media product, managed schedule, budget, and quality throughout production.
• Assigned vendors using corporate scale bidding process.
• Communicated with vendors, as well as internal and external customers to ensure attainment of product goals.
• Demonstrated command of all media production specifications, technologies, and manufacturing requirements.
• Worked with distance learning department to provide main text materials such artwork for use in online courses.
• Maintained communication with Thomson Learning Production and Manufacturing Departments which resulted in a smooth transition of media titles to the new company.

Production Manager-Media
Harcourt College Publishers, Philadelphia, PA                                              
January 1993 – December 1999
Managed all aspects of media manufacturing including package design, prepress and manufacturing technologies and processes for approximately 120-175 supplement titles per year.
• Created and developed the Media Department functions with the assistance of the Director of Editorial, Design and Production which allowed the Production Department to handle media product.
• Acted as primary liaison between editorial and production departments for media projects.
• Incorporated acquired desktop skills into all production methods.
• Developed and monitored the media budgets and schedules. 
• Trained EDP coworkers in the use of the PDF workflow, a new production process.
• Implemented production plans for various media product, managed schedule, budget, and quality throughout production.
• Developed the media pricing scales for bidding purposes.
• Successfully redesigned the Instructor’s Resource CD-ROM product line to provide a product that met and exceeded customer satisfaction.
• Worked with composition houses to handle Overhead Transparency product electronically therefore, reducing production costs by 50% or more.
• Handled two main text titles per year.

Associate Art Director
Saunders College Publishing, Philadelphia, PA                                              
April 1987 – January 1993
Coordinated and performed creative functions for interior text designs, cover designs, and art programs in general support of the Manager of Art & Design and Art Directors. • Worked with the Director of Editorial, Design and Production to apply desktop design programs into other Editorial, Design and Production department functions.
• Acted as the Art Director on 15 fifteen titles per year.
• Supervised the Art & Design Coordinator and freelance designers in production of cover mechanicals, rendering artwork, and general preparation for print ancillaries.
• Worked with the Manager of Art & Design and the Art Directors in reviewing art manuscript, soliciting competitive bids, and developing style and procedures for sample art.

EDUCATION

Moore College of Art and Design
Graphic Design | September 1985- December 1986

New York Institute of Technology
Basic Art Foundation Courses | January 1983- December 1984