The Journey of a Creative Problem Solver
My Story
In 1994, Shawn was given an outdated IBM PS/1 and a copy of Photoshop LE, along with the task of designing an instructional manual for a bartender school. Despite expressing his lack of qualifications for such a project, the owner simply responded, "You'll figure it out."
As it turns out, they were correct. In less than a year, Shawn was assigned the responsibility of creating a monthly boating safety publication for the Iroquois Power Squadron. This opportunity marked the beginning of a path that he continues to tread to this day.
Despite his busy design schedule in recent years, Shawn eagerly embraces new challenges, both in the realm of computer desktop design and in his personal life.
Project Management
Graphic Design
UX / UI Design Certification
Responsive Web design
Client Relationships
Workflow Management
Virtual Team Building
Adobe Creative Suite
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Dreamweaver
Technical Writing
Delegating & Managing a Workflow
Email / Sales Letter Marketing
Experienced in Multiple AI Platform
Developing Creative Solutions
Production for Digital & Offset Printing
Collaborating Effectively with Clients
Areas of Expertise
Brand Compliance
Software Development
Meeting Strict Deadlines
Following Brand Compliance
Web Host & Domain Management
Basic CNC design
Multi-Platform Trained
Kitaboo
Articulate Rise 360
Articulate Storyline 360
Google Gemini
Open AI
Open AI
Midjouney AI
Wordpress
Mailchimp
Adobe Lightroom
Figma
Office Tools
HTML & CSS
Basic CNC design
Software
Fast forward over 25 years and 500 clients later, Shawn remains an active professional in the Rochester area. His notable roles include serving as a Design Specialist at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, where he develops groundbreaking content that reaches multiple countries and gets translated into 18 different languages.
Additionally, he held the position of Art Director at Printed Deals Magazine, a publication that reaches 1.3 million homes annually in the Rochester area. More active people may recognize his work either through Hotshot Indoor Volleyball Club, the ever expanding and franchising Warrior Factory the sprawling phenomenon that is the Kickball League of Rochester.
"Creativity requires the courage to step into the unknown, to explore uncharted territories within ourselves, and to embrace the uncertainties that arise along the journey."
Owner / Creative Director
Dripdek, Rochester, NY, 2023 – Present
Conducted comprehensive market research to identify profitable products and target audiences. Selected trending items, negotiating with suppliers for timely and quality fulfillment, and leveraged web development skills to create a user-friendly online store that complied with SEO standards. Additionally playing a key role in implementing and optimizing digital marketing strategies, ensuring excellent customer service, and managing analytics and financial aspects for the overall success and growth of the business
Developed and curated a diverse product catalog with over 1000 items, ranging from household goods to clothing, showcasing expertise in identifying trending and in-demand products.
Successfully achieved over 150 sales in the first year, generating approximately $5,000 in total revenue, demonstrating effective market research and product selection skills.
Experienced promising monthly growth rates of 15%-25%, indicating a strong market presence and adaptability to changing trends.
Attracted a substantial online audience with traffic exceeding 25,000 visitors, showcasing effective digital marketing strategies.
Expanded business reach to 9 countries, demonstrating successful international market penetration.
Implemented optimized shipping routes for efficient order fulfillment, contributing to a positive customer experience and operational efficiency.
Design Specialist / Technical Writer
Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Rochester, NY (Hybrid Position), 2019 – 2022
Collaborated with instructional designers, subject matter experts, IT, and an offshore development team to design and implement instructional products. Evaluated and improved graphical standards. Designed and produced layouts, eLearnings, and interactive quizzes. Created interactive PDFs, email blasts, and client-facing PowerPoint presentations. Tutored coworkers on InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Kitaboo. Beta tested mobile software.
• Enabled the delivery of virtual training using personal mobile devices during the COVID-19 pandemic by collaborating with a cross- functional team to design and program an engaging interactive eBook.
• Refurbished an international learning portal called “Ortho U,” primarily for the UK and other international markets, creating materials, navigation, and images and completing HTML programming when needed.
• Facilitated content distribution to 18 countries by translating and producing content including manuals, posters, and screenshots using proprietary emulator software and professional consulting services.
Desktop Graphic Artist
Valassis Local Market Service / Clipper, Boston, MA (Remote Position), 2016 – 2019
Developed design materials from conception to print on national projects for car dealerships and manufacturers. Specialized in implementing experimental formats and managing the expectations of difficult clients. Delegated assignments to freelancers. Developed and followed the specifications of multiple templates and print standards. Collaborated with auto market print partners to ensure the accurate and timely delivery of project artwork.
• Customized mid-level marketing by implementing variable data printing (VDS), a method of inserting personal information that has been data mined to target advertisers with personalized print collateral.
• Developed an early prototype of the custom print “Mail Merge” technology in cooperation with a printer
Artistic Director / Project Manager
Printed Deals, Rochester, NY, 2010 - 2016
Managed the conception, creation, layout, and production of 7 print and digital magazine editions annually. Consulted with sales representatives and clients to develop and prioritize creative projects. Produced client collateral and placed materials in a long-form magazine layout. Delegated and prioritized design queue assignments. Produced print mechanical for both digital and offset printing, closely collaborating with printer to meet standards.
• Expanded clients reached per magazine release from 36 to 162 and editions per year from 4 to 7.
• Grew distribution per release from 35K homes to 185K homes with annual distribution of 1.3M.
• Boosted distribution 500% in the first six months following the establishment a parody newspaper with full creative autonomy, called Crook Book that incorporated mugshots of people arrested for crimes.
• Achieved a print deal with Wolf publishing for Crook Book and distribution at all Sunoco with expansion into the Buffalo Market due to popularity with the public as well as the court system and the police.
Artistic Director / Project Manager
SimCo Services / RocCity Services, Rochester, NY, 2007 – 2009
Maintained and improved client relationships by developing creative proposals and managing the production of website design and print mechanicals in accordance with client brand standards. Managed the hosting and domain right, e-mails, XML encoding, and software development. Performed live demonstrations of custom software to potential clients. Produced print collateral for both internal and client use.
• Streamlined a mass HR solution to facilitate in-person open enrollment in employee life and health insurance plans by developing and streamlining the physical mechanics and proprietary software.
A copy of my resume can be found HERE.
