Experience

Self-Employed, Arts and Design

• Ukraine
• Design Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Freelance Artist

  • Jun 2011 - Present

  While focusing on completing my degree, taken on several art commissions from individuals through social media. Subjects ranged from character design to portraiture, including adult-rated themes. Communicated directly with clients and negotiated pricing. Started out using Photoshop CS4 and an Asus tablet PC, then upgraded to CS5, currently using Manga Studio 5 and a Wacom Cintiq monitor. While focusing on completing my degree, taken on several art commissions from individuals through social media. Subjects ranged from character design to portraiture, including adult-rated themes. Communicated directly with clients and negotiated pricing. Started out using Photoshop CS4 and an Asus tablet PC, then upgraded to CS5, currently using Manga Studio 5 and a Wacom Cintiq monitor.



Sci Fi City

• Cincinnati, Ohio Area

• Sales Associate

  • Jul 2013 - Oct 2015

  Provided personal assistance to customers in selecting and purchasing Comic Books, Table-Top Games, Trading Cards, Hobby and Craft materials and related merchandise. Initiated independent research on product reviews, story-line and game play to present the customer with a well-informed buying experience. Frequented industry conventions to keep up to date with gaming trends and releases. Efficiently and accurately processed customer check-out including cash,store rewards card and credit card transactions Assisted in store event coordination, hosting Magic the Gathering Tournaments, Friday Night Magic, Dungeons & Dragons Encounters, Star Wars X-Wing weekly events, Pathfinder Society, Board Game Night, Free Comic Book Day and more. Maintained store collection of Magic the Gathering individual card sales, including tracking fluctuating market prices. Managed customer product returns and exchanges, and answered any questions regarding return policy Maintained and balanced an accurate cash drawer, worked opening and closing shifts, completed sales reports and closing paperwork on a nightly basis.



Ikasucon

• United States
• Travel Arrangements
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Artist Lounge Coordinator and Department Head

  • Jun 2013 - Jul 2015

  Invented, designed and Co-founded the Artist lounge, which in its first year saw 85% of all foot traffic among convention attendees, averaging 30 participants during any given hour of operation, 50 or more during peak hours. The Artist Lounge idea since has been adopted and imitated by multiple other midwest popular-culture conventions, but never to the magnitude or popularity of the original. Managed a group of 3-4 lounge staff, organizing shifts and event schedules and providing on-site supervision, recruitment and training. Coordinated guest speakers and interactive workshops for the space, as well as designing and hosting educational lectures as primary speaker. Designed the set-up and way-finding system for the room and auxiliaries, producing signage and the interior layout for a smooth, pleasant, socially engaging and educational experience. Designed and coordinated art contests, including judging and prize management. Proposed and exceeded budget expectations, providing one of the only event rooms to turn a profit in the entire history of the convention.



University of Cincinnati

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• University Computer Lab Consultant

  • Jan 2006 - Jun 2011

  I worked at the Campus Help Desk as well as in several specialized computer labs; assisting students in utilizing the equipment and software offered by the University Labs. I specialized in teaching students to use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and many other creative design resources. I worked at the Campus Help Desk as well as in several specialized computer labs; assisting students in utilizing the equipment and software offered by the University Labs. I specialized in teaching students to use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and many other creative design resources.



Interbrand

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Design Co-op Student

  • Sep 2010 - Dec 2010

  I was a student designer working in the design department at the Cincinnati branch of Interbrand. I contributed to brainstorming sketch sessions and the implementation (rendering) of the concepts developed in the sessions. I worked on packaging layouts, icon systems, and key visuals. I worked primarily on the family care team, developing designs and presentation materials for such P&G brands as Puffs, Bounty, Charmin and others. I was a student designer working in the design department at the Cincinnati branch of Interbrand. I contributed to brainstorming sketch sessions and the implementation (rendering) of the concepts developed in the sessions. I worked on packaging layouts, icon systems, and key visuals. I worked primarily on the family care team, developing designs and presentation materials for such P&G brands as Puffs, Bounty, Charmin and others.



Hasbro

• United States
• Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Game Design and Development Co-op

  • Sep 2009 - Jun 2010

  Designed games, game components, branding materials and presentation boards. The work tended to be along the lines of concept design and branding invention in the spring and concept visualization in the Fall. I also was able to explore character design for several of Hasbro's intellectual properties. I regularly contributed to product brainstorms and gameplay/mechanics testing. I was a co-op for Hasbro in Fall of 2009 and came back to co-op a second time during the spring of 2010. Designed games, game components, branding materials and presentation boards. The work tended to be along the lines of concept design and branding invention in the spring and concept visualization in the Fall. I also was able to explore character design for several of Hasbro's intellectual properties. I regularly contributed to product brainstorms and gameplay/mechanics testing. I was a co-op for Hasbro in Fall of 2009 and came back to co-op a second time during the spring of 2010.



Chiquita

• Switzerland
• Food Production
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graphic Design Co-op

  • Mar 2008 - Jun 2008

  I worked within the Marketing Department designing speculative marketing campaign materials, packaging for the Chiquita and Fresh Express brands, company stationary, and presentation materials. I also assisted in product photo shoots. Other duties of mine included trend research and photo editing. I worked within the Marketing Department designing speculative marketing campaign materials, packaging for the Chiquita and Fresh Express brands, company stationary, and presentation materials. I also assisted in product photo shoots. Other duties of mine included trend research and photo editing.



Ikasucon

• United States
• Travel Arrangements
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Volunteer Staff Artist

  • 2006 - 2008

  I designed the convention's logo, mascots and style guide. I personally illustrated and designed the attendee badges for 2007 and 2008, which to this day has been heralded as the convention's best years for badge art. All three years I was commissioned to create illustrations of the mascot characters for use in the program guide, on signage, and for promotional fliers, as well as designing the fliers themselves in 2007 and 2008. I did several collaborative pieces with other staff artists and frequently had to organize the workflow of the project as our Head of Art was also on several other department committees and frequently out of contact with us. I also provided support as an office staff member during the convention itself.



Galerie Candy and Gifts

• United States
• Manufacturing
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Design Department Co-op

  • Feb 2007 - Dec 2007

  I designed toys, plush, games and candy packaging for Hershey, Walmart, Target, Toys R' Us and Galerie Au Chocolat. I also assisted the senior designers in creating and researching innovative packaging and new products for Galerie's seasonal product lines. I spent spring of 2007 with Galerie, attending classes during summer of 2007, then returning in Fall 2007 for a second Co-op term. I designed toys, plush, games and candy packaging for Hershey, Walmart, Target, Toys R' Us and Galerie Au Chocolat. I also assisted the senior designers in creating and researching innovative packaging and new products for Galerie's seasonal product lines. I spent spring of 2007 with Galerie, attending classes during summer of 2007, then returning in Fall 2007 for a second Co-op term.