Resume
As a designer, my most important job is to communicate. My communication process is a balance between three different aspects. The clients message, the audiences interpretations, and the designer that can coalesce these ideas. Through my experience as a free lance designer I have come to understand this process and excel at it.
The most effective way to balance the clients wants, and their audiences needs, is to first get an understanding of what the client wants to communicate, and then compare that with what the audience needs to hear. In this comparison I find where the two overlap and base my design decisions on this harmonization of ideas.
In developing a business identity for Law Offices of Karuschkat P.C.’s, the client wanted a business that looked hip and young while still establishing the security that a law firm should have. After meeting with the client I discovered that she had a fascination with bridges. As a law firm that specialized in divorce, she felt that bridges where a strong metaphor for what her business did for people.
The bridges represented a way to complete a seemingly impossible journey. I used the imagery of a bridge and shaped it into a strong abstract logo. To accommodate for the edgy feel she desired, I used a more modern color pallet; a subtle effect that didn’t distract from the emotive quality that he business needed. On her web site I used photos of real people that allowed clients to emotionally align themselves with this business. I knew that her clients would be feeling venerable and would feel more secure if they could see who would be helping them through their divorce.
As a result her business grew. The clients often commented on how they chose her services largely due to emotive reaction they had to the web site. The communication process was a success.
PROGRAMS, SKILLS & EXPERTISE
Adobe CS3 - (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Acrobat Professional) Mac OS, Windows OS
XHTML, CSS, ActionScript 3.0 - implementation of Java Script
Web Design, Screen Print Design, Production Art, Promotional Design, Corporate Identity Development.
WORK HISTORY
Senior Production Artist // 2005 - 2009
Now And Zen Productions LLC
- Prepare art for screen-printing production
- Design and develop sales materials and catalogs
- Design graphics for apparel
- Oversee production art team in absence of manager
- Prepare art for and maintain main company website
- Develop interactive Flash content for company websites
- Design, develop and implement promotional websites
- Design, develop and implement nonprofit sector website
- Production work for company websites
- Develop and maintain Mac based arcive system
Freelance Designer // 2000 - Present
- Sole proprietor
- Independent contractor
- Web design and development
- Promotional design
Page Layout & Typesetter // 2005 - Present
Environment Colorado / CoPIRG (consistent freelance client)
- Page layout
- Adhere to corporate identity
- Typesetting
Graphic Designer // 2003 - 2007
Creative Music Works (consistent freelance client)
- Newsletter design
- Poster and brochure design
- Website development
Graphic Designer // 2001 - 2004
J Robinson Camps
- Illustrate - T-shirts, posters, post cards, advertisements
- Design - advertisements, brochures, letterheads, logos
- Product development, illustration, layout, and pre-press
EDUCATION
Colorado State University
Bachelors of Fine Arts
- Emphasis in illustration
- Minor in English
Metropolitan State College of Denver
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Pre-press
Accolades and Recommendations
“Working with Josh was a great experience. Josh not only is a very talented artist in a spectrum mediums and styles, he is very perceptive, an excellent listener and a great communicator. I was always impressed at how he can transform small bits of words and direction into exactly what I was envisioning. I have rarely worked with creative individuals who have been able to hit the mark as consistently and directly as Josh Coast.”
June 30, 2009
- Andrew Johnson, Executive Director, J Robinson Camps
"Josh is terrifically creative and tuned in to web trends. He executed his duties as Art Production Manager dutifully and with finesse. There was no task to which Josh did not rise when asked. He took on extra projects. He trained himself to do things when skills were required he didn’t yet possess… He has a very rare quality for an artist: he does not complain.
Jan 3, 2010
(excerpt from a letter of recomendation - contact me for a copy of the full letter)
- Jeffrey Kohen, President of Now and Zen Productions
“Josh is very enjoyable to work with, has a great understanding of production and art, and is a highly valuable member to any team. I have the utmost confidence in his abilities and am grateful to have him as a resourceful colleague.”
Dec 10, 2009
- Patrick Combs, Senior Graphic Designer, Now And Zen Productions
“I highly recommend Josh Coast for any design or production oriented position. He is a detail oriented professional who knows his way around computer software and technology. I've found I can always rely on him to lend a hand and share his insight. He's a level headed guy with immense patience making him a great trainer as well as a colleague. Josh is also a great communicator, which is often overlooked or absent from many creative professionals. Working with Josh is always a good time and he would be an asset to any creative team.”
July 9, 2009
- Joel Flach, Production Artist, Now and Zen Productions
“I have worked with Josh for about 3 years. He is very detailed oriented, extremely knowledgeable in production art, and overall is just a great person to work with.” October 19, 2009
- Dasia Young, Sales Director, Now and Zen Productions