Mind and Life Institute Portfolio

George Ramirez700 Russel Road, Apt. 3 | Westfield, MA 01085

e. [email protected] | t. (413) 262-3190

w. nityagraphics.com

linkedin.com/in/georgenityaramirez/

Specially Prepared for

Mind and Life Institute

Dear Program, Operations, and Administrative Staff,

Thank you for taking the time to read this statement of interest. When I first read the job posting on Idealist.org, I was struck with how perfectly my skillset matched the position for Mind and Life Institute. My birth name is George Ramirez, but friends and family have adapted to calling me by my spiritual name, Nitya. I have been working as a Graphic Designer for many years abroad and in New York, but settled back in the Western Massachusetts region after time spent living at the Sivananda Ashrams in India and the United States. I am committed to my craft, but also possess a fierce love for self-reflection and exploration. Currently I am working as a Graphic Designer at Westfield State University. At Westfield, my primary duties include:

If I am permitted a bit of candor, I have written this letter numerous times for different audiences before. They all had intention, but this statement is truly of interest because it combines two of my worlds. Without reservation, I believe wholeheartedly that I would prosper at the Mind and Life Institute. Please feel free to email or call (413) 262-3190 with any questions. I am eager to meet and present my portfolio in person.

Sincerely, George Ramirez

Some of my related proficiencies are:

• Timely completion of assigned projects• Layout and Production• Color Correction• Illustration• Photo Direction (at times)• Presentations (Boards, Signage, and Digital)• Maintaining Style Guides and Identity

• Print and Web newsletters (HTML, Constant Contact)

• Scheduling and pricing• Client communications and customer service• Assisting in Content Management Systems

(CMS), and updating web material.

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, with a concentration in Graphic Design. (Internship at the Kent Institute of Art and Design in Maidstone, England)

• Daily hands-on knowledge of industry standard software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash, Microsoft Office and PowerPoint.)

• Logo Design, Collateral, and 3D modeling• File Prepping (Preflighting)• Creative thinker with a range of

industry disciplines• Attention to detail• Dedication to creative expression and

artistic technique

Mind and Life Institute

4 Bay Road

Hadley, MA 01035

Master in Public Administration, 2014Concentration: Non-profit ManagementGraduate Credits, Ethnic and Gender StudiesWestfield State University; Westfield, MA

B.A. Art /Graphic Design, 1998Westfield State University, Westfield, MAAbroad: Canterbury Christ Church University (97-98)Kent Institute of Art and Design (Internship)

Fifteen years experience in print/web communication and graphic design in a variety of public and private sectors. Specialties in:

Graphic Designer (Temp to Perm) November 2010 to PresentMarketing Department, Westfield State University, Westfield, MA

Responsibilities:n Establish brand and graphic content for the University and Graduate division.n Produce all digital and print graphic projects assigned by the Director.n Supervise student interns.n Execute major marketing campaigns including conceptualization, pricing, production,

and quality assessment for academic and administrative departments.n Produce banner, table top, and exalt presentations for campus clients.n Completing Web projects as needed within a fast-paced professional Marketing department.

Proficient knowledge of industry standard software such as: Adobe Creative Suite (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Premiere); 3D modeling software such as Carrara, 3DMax, Poser, ZBrush, and Hexagon; digital photography and video software; managing web content through Wordpress, Drupal, or basic update to HTML/DHTML pages; Microsoft Office Suite.

n Prepress Print Production (Publication Best Practices)n Flash Animation and Action Scriptingn Photo-Manipulationn Print and Digital (Prezi/PowerPoint) Presentationsn Vector Illustrationn Web Content Management/Designn Print Vendor Specification and Contact

n Desktop Video Production (iMovie, Adobe Premiere)n Strategic Planningn 3D Vertex Model Compositionn Student and Diversity Programmingn Higher Education dynamicsn Social Media implementation and analyticsn Photo editing and Shoot Direction

Education

Qualifications

Experience

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PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION | 1

2 | GEORGE RAMIREZ

Resident/Instructor Through 2009Sivananda Yoga Center and Yoga Farm, New York, NY

Responsibilities:n Work alongside Swami and residents to teach Hatha Yoga, Meditation, and Philosophy.

Lead/Senior Graphic Designer June 2002 to July 2008Alan Barnett Design, New York, NY

Responsibilities:n Work alongside Graphic Design mentor and President of Alan Barnett Design.n Conceptualize, price, and produce all assigned print material from start to finish.n Track, update, and archive all assigned projects.n Communicate and request estimates with print vendors.n Complete projects relating to logo design, package design, annual reports, catalogs,

mailers, invitations, book jacket covers, workbooks, and all other assigned projects.

Senior Graphic Designer November 1999 to June 2002Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

Responsibilities:n Maintain all deadlines for print, web, and office projects.n Organize templates, lock ups, color correction, photo manipulation, prepress,

vendor communication, choosing stock, press checks, and supervision for student workers.n Other duties include: photography, studio set-up, hiring freelance workers,

trouble-shooting computers, and staff training.

Visiting Professor September 2001 to June 2002Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

Responsibilities:n Introduce the digital design process at the second level, using current design

software applications such as: Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Adobe Illustrator.

Junior Graphic Designer November 1998 to 1999Springfield College, Springfield, MA

Responsibilities:n Work directly or indirectly with college students, staff, and administrators for assigned projects.

PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION | 3

Branding

Layout, Production, Logo Conception, Illustrations.

4 | GEORGE RAMIREZ

Branding Layout, Production, Art Direction, Photoshoot Direction, and Illustrations.

PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION | 5

Posters/Banners Layout, Production, Art Direction, and Illustrations.

6 | GEORGE RAMIREZ

Logos and Illustrations

PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION | 7

Publications

Layout, Production, Art Direction, and Illustrations.

8 | GEORGE RAMIREZ

Board Presentations

Layout, Production, Art Direction.

PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION | 9

Signage (Trailway)

Layout, Production, Art Direction. Contact and bidding with fabricators. Project ongoing.

More samples available at Nityagraphics.com

Downloadable PDF’s also available.