Resume for Jon Fraze
Award-winning graphic designer and art director with wide-ranging experience over a period of two decades. Have distinguished background in publishing, ad agencies, and marketing. Seeking responsibilities with an exciting, established company in a senior design or art director capacity, in a position which encourages ownership of accomplishments.

Experience
March 2004 to present — Primedia Publishing (on contract with the Creative Group) — Art Director & Designer
• Highly regarded art director in demand across several departments
• Oversaw multiple simultaneous projects by interfacing with miscellaneous department managers
• Completed several hundred projects with Marketing Art department within 6 month period
• Directed submission of art and editorial materials with editors, and submission of electronic files to prepress

March 1997 to May 2003 — Advanstar Communications — Art Director
• Developed design standards for America’s Network magazine and several new-publication launches… Result: Re-positioned magazine to new target audience; aided ad sales by increasing reader recognition
• Earned multiple design awards… Result: Distinguished America’s Network from competitors and expanded industry recognition of brand
• Developed workflow for geographically dispersed department… Result: Reduced lead-times by 2 weeks, allowing for timely reporting by editorial staff; and shortened production schedules by 3 days, reducing production costs
• Trained and supervised personnel as manager of two-person art department… Result: Facilitated promotion of employees; increased department efficiency which enabled launch of 4 new publications and supplement series
• Frequent contributor of photography, illustration and caricature work … Result: Maintained polished publication character within budget limitations, and built reader loyalty to special sections
• Point person in introducing new technologies… Result: Smoothed office transition into corporate goals such as direct-to-press workflow, conversion to PC environment, et al.
• Established art submission guidelines
• Directed photo-shoots

November 1996 to March 1997 — Benchmark Advertising (on contract with MacTemps) — Art Director / Designer
• Maintained client and vendor relationships…
Result: Allowed company principal to concentrate on executive responsibilities
• Responsible for network and workstation troubleshooting and maintenance

April 1993 to August 1996 — Homes For Sale Magazine — Graphic Designer
• Administered Macintosh network… Result: Improved network efficiency and saved company several thousand dollars annually in contract professional fees
• Researched and continuously revised publication maps… Result: Recognized by housing industry awards for best locator maps
• Responsible for design and production of ads and editorials, direct mail pieces, logos, and inserts
• Responsible for all in-house illustration projects
• Checked in and preflight-checked digitally submitted advertising materials
• Organized and maintained photo library

1979 to April 1993 — Free-lance Illustration and Design (some work to present)
• Designed and produced print graphics and websites
• Coordinated vendors and directed photo-shoots
• Regular full-time freelance work as ad agency assistant art director (Reid Advertising, March 1981 – November 1984)
• Created fine-art illustration for publications: (Amazing Stories, California Magazine, Muscle & Fitness, Dirt-Rider, etc.)…
Businesses and corporations: (Maranatha Music, Front-line Records, etc.)…
Advertising agencies: (including work for national campaigns for Rain Bird Sprinklers, Kingston Technologies, the Crystal Cathedral, etc.). Expert with airbrush, watercolor, pen and ink, pencil, etc.

September 1987 to December 1989 — Art Institute of Southern California — Adjunct Faculty
• Taught all levels of illustration from introduction through advanced, as well as specialized courses such as Editorial Illustration, Airbrush, etc.
• Performed student advising.
• Assisted in accreditation committee work and in writing faculty handbook.

Summary of Skills
• Acclaimed work in manipulated photo illustration and retouching through Photoshop
• Peer-recognized expert in software and technical matters
• Relied on by supervisors for enterprising, go-ahead work habits
• Proficient at prepress and press requirements
• Good communication skills: interface well with executives, department managers, production managers, editors, vendors, and advertisers
• Broad background and skill level in print design and production, including consumer and trade publications, brochures, newspaper and magazine ads, flyers, posters, logos, directories, mailers, technical illustration, program branding, p.o.p. display, et al.
• Well-rounded experience with design work in many fields, including technology, telecommunications, automotive and hot rod, real estate development, food service and restaurant supply, aerospace, manufacturing, education, health, recording, and more
• Exceptional command of English composition, spelling, and AP style

Computer Skills
Expert level: QuarkXPress (12 years), Adobe Photoshop (11 years), Adobe Illustrator (12 years), Mac OS (9.2.2 or OSX)
Proficiency: ATM Deluxe (6 years), Adobe Acrobat (4 years), Suitcase (8 years), Ultimatte Knockout (4 years)
Working ability: Dreamweaver (1 year), html (1 year), InDesign (intermittent use) Freehand (intermittent use), Microsoft Office Suite (intermittent use), Ethernet network management (2 years), Retrospect (3 years), Fetch (3 years), Windows OS

Awards and Honors
• ASBPE Western Region, Best Cover, trade publication, 2001
• Maggie Awards: Runner-up in Best Cover, Trade Magazine category, 2001
• Advanstar corporate award, three-time winner (two Silver awards, one Gold award) for excellence in design.
• Numerous industry awards (HGA and Laurel awards) as part of Homes For Sale’s design staff, for best over-all publication (1994, 1995), best maps, best editorial page, best special campaign, etc.
• Third place in WCC 1988 Science Fiction & Fantasy Art Show
• Winner in Graphic Arts News’ 1983 calendar/poster contest
• National Society of Illustrators’ 1981 Student Illustrators Show

Education
Master of Arts: California State University, Fullerton: Graphic Arts
Bachelor of Arts: California State University, Fullerton: Graphic Arts