Photoshop
Patrick McGrath
Art Director, Creative Services Manager, Senior Designer
Washington DC,US
Summary
Creative and innovative professional with diverse experience leading several facets of marketing products and event production, including quality phototypography, print, key art, motion graphics, and production.
- Reputable Artist recognized for consistently developing innovative techniques to encourage creativity and visual product improvement. Renowned artist experienced in digital and print medium and versatile in thematic experimentation. Disciplined and productive creative with diverse and varied portfolio showcasing personal evolution in artistic journey.
- Solid success managing, directing, inspiring, and cultivating creative teams that produce award-winning media campaigns.
- Skilled in strategic marketing initiatives development, new product promotion, ROI improvements, cost control/ reduction, new business identification, and stakeholder engagement. Adept at managing overall operations of in-creative service department, preparing identity designs and digital marketing collateral, and developing and implementing new e-communications.
- Proven track record of directing creative projects from start to end, preparing and executing business strategies, conducting training sessions, and managing teams to achieve shared visions and goals.
- Artistic Director with 20 years of experience leading teams of craftspeople in graphic design. Expert in mentoring and coaching artists to encourage development of personal style and techniques.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Art Director
American Bankruptcy Institute
Alexandria, VA
2017 - 2021
- Ensure project completion by coordinating with meetings, communications, and membership, as well as liaise with executive directors on wide variety of products, vendors, and multiple outside sources/purchases.
- Leverage new technology and innovative processes, while confirming compliance with set corporate standards.
- Led, trained, and mentored high-performance production and design teams.
- Steered and oversaw more than 48 different creative design projects to assist ongoing marketing, live events, and merchandizing programs for largest non-profit across bankruptcy and insolvency industry.
- Offered robust high-impact marketing, print design, and ecommerce projects by utilizing strategic vision, business acumen, and artistic talent.
- Spearheaded various facets related to execution of various revenue-generating design projects, publications, and live event planning from initiation to launch.
- Partnered cross-functionally to confirm projects progress with set milestones, deadlines, and budget requirements.
Senior Designer
American Bankruptcy Institute
Alexandria, VA
2006 - 2017
- Delivered assessment on all key production materials in multiple projects, including overseeing activities related to operational management, strategic, financial, bid review, creative staffing, and administrative functions.
- Designed theme and graphics related to B2B and B2C online and print marketing campaigns.
- Headed various functions to convert business requirements into effective advertising campaigns.
Senior Designer/ Art Director
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Rockville, MD
2005 - 2006
- Senior design and graphic specialist for USNRC Office of Information Services.
- Designed, produced, and acted as lead with creative teams to develop concepts and expedite the creative and graphic publication work for the commission.
- Responsible for providing initial comps and final designs for multimedia presentations, brochures, NUREG publications, posters, press kits events and event planning.
- Managed and coordinated with the GPO and an extensive network of external service providers for all printing and NRC display and publication needs.
- Troubleshoot any system errors and functionality problems and communicate possible solutions to Imaging and Web group team leaders.
- Maintain and update the graphics job logs and clearly document and present suggestions from end users to the appropriate department technicians for system management.
- Responsible for testing new technologies for application in both print graphic and web departments.
- Researched new emerging software and hardware technologies for practical application in NRC graphic and information service departments.
- Held a United States Government Top Secret II / IT II Security Clearance for 4 years.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
Senior Designer & Department Manager, Business Support
American Trucking Associations, Inc
Alexandria, VA
2004 - 2005
- Incorporated design changes based on feedback from project teams.
- Helped company advance industry standing by creating innovative concept designs.
- Offered friendly and efficient service to all customers, handled challenging situations with ease.
Senior Designer & Digital Imaging Specialist
Dodge Color, Inc
Bethesda, MD
2004 - 2004
- Evaluated project scope and development schedule, and collaborated closely with project owners to establish parameters.
- Helped company advance industry standing by creating innovative concept designs.
- Designed and implemented corporate makeover to help unify the look of all departments under the Dodge marketing brand.
- Editing, script writing, and storyboarding as well as all phases of sound and animated presentation production.
- Additional duties included assisting the creative staff members in all aspects of color management and creating mechanicals for Imaging Services.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
Digital Imaging Technician
National Geographic Society
Washington DC, Washington, DC
2003 - 2004
- Examined developed prints to determine defects such as broken lines, spots or blurs.
- Preformed all activities associated with acquiring, enhancing and the restoration of archived film and photo collections through various types of scanning equipment and digital imaging systems.
- Enhancing each image through color correcting NGS standards, retouching and formatting the scanned images.
- Provided support for over 30 digital imaging libraries that served different divisions and production departments worldwide.
- Acted as in-house troubleshooter for software and hardware issues involving color profile systems and output devices.
- Maintained chemical levels and solution integrity for automatic processors and hand development systems.
- Utilized Adobe Photoshop to perform photo editing, retouching and restoration.
- Followed standards and procedures to maintain safe work environment.
Multimedia Designer
Corporate Visions, Inc
Washington DC
1994 - 2002
- Managed several lucrative projects simultaneously and delivered each one on time and within budget.
- Used InDesign, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create design ideas.
- Manipulated color, light, texture and shadows to make objects and characters appear lifelike.
- Provided clients with print and online advertising solutions for brand awareness, promotional product sales and special events.
- Solely responsible for all image, art, audio and video appropriations to ensure libraries were current.
- Designed for print, multimedia and installations, in conjunction with teams of 3 to 8 people on each project. Produced 2-D and 3-D models for trade show exhibits and booth design.
- Preformed trouble shooting for cross platform system problems with software and hardware. Document and present suggestions received from external clients as well as account reps for streamlining the archiving process.
- Maintained over 20 output devices for creating film, banners, color, and B&W laser output, and direct to plate files.
- Interacted with staff at all levels, and various graphics design and prints vendors and suppliers. Participated in client meetings to present concepts and provide account executive support.
- Met and exceeded production schedules while staying within all budget constraints.
Special Projects Consultant & Art Director
Base Productions, Inc, NerveStruck
Haymarket, VA
1999 - 2001
- Obtained needed resources by strategically negotiating with stakeholders and outside suppliers.
- Participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships.
- Prepared a variety of different written communications, reports and documents to ensure smooth operations.
- Art direction and front end conceptual thinking for new types of cross media programming to establish a foothold in the live event and audience participation venue, via Internet and cable programming.
- Production of live sporting events for the Washington Capitols, DC United, Washington Wizards and Freedom.
- Created Corporate identity package for NerveStruck Media and Gothic Opera.
- Designed and developed text treatments for the opening of Sketch Pad, an HBO comedy special.
Art Director
NCS Technologies
Sterling, VA
1997 - 1999
- Researched industry trends and evaluated competitive products.
- Designed visual models meeting both aesthetic and technical criteria.
- Developed artistic visual products while working within defined technical constraints.
- Preserved branding standards of assigned accounts.
- Collaborated with production on task list creation to meet overall project goals on time.
- Contracted to create a corporate look for computer hardware manufacturer.
- Designed and produced all of the packaging, promotion and marketing materials.
- Supervised all product photo sessions for catalogue and Internet usage for on line sales and promotion.
Illustrator
Elliot Van Deutsch
Falls Church, VA
1994 - 1995
- Learned new software packages in addition to traditional art methods.
- Developed art and design concepts.
- Generated design and model creation time estimates when needed.
- Added illustrations to company marketing collateral and promotional materials that reflected unified company brand.
- Created Illustrations for various print materials and basic layout for print production in a fast paced ad agency environment.
Artist
Capitol Multimedia
Bethesda, MD
1993 - 1994
- Contributed to creative process through original ideas and inspiration.
- Managed technological considerations to meet defined goals.
- Researched industry trends and evaluated competitive products.
- Collaborated with art director to implement artistic vision.
- Created custom drawings and paintings using fine oils, acrylics and charcoal on high quality canvas.
- High end Photoshop production artist of set and individual sprit animated cells for placement in video game environments.
- Conceptual thinking and character creation for beta test computer games.
Manager
Serif Press Inc
Washington DC
1990 - 1993
- Expanded cross-functional organizational capacity by collaborating across departments on priorities, functions and common goals.
- Evaluated employees' strengths and assigned tasks based upon experience and training.
- Established and updated work schedules to account for changing staff levels and expected workloads.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Conducted monthly inventories of raw materials and components on work floor.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Graphic Design
Marywood College
Scranton PASkills
Graphic Design
Art Direction
Marketing Communication
Photo Editing
Visual Communication Expertise
Corporate Identity Branding
Department Development
Strong Analytical Skills
UV layout
Web Design
Prepress and printing
Time management
Full Life Cycle Project Management
Team Leadership & Development
Digital Campaign Administration
Client Engagement
Digital Assets Management
UX & UI Design
Stakeholder Engagement
Market Research & Analysis
Event Planning & Implementation
Corporate identity branding
Photographic editing
Adobe Illustrator expert
Adobe InDesign
Additional Information
- MarCom Awards: Platinum Award – 08 Annual Report, 2008
- MarCom Awards: Platinum Award – 08 Media Kit, 2008
- MarCom Awards: Gold Award – WLC Direct Mail – Brochure, 2008
- MarCom Awards: Gold Award – 08 Membership – Marketing, 2008
- Graphic Design USA: 08 Membership Kit – Marketing, 2008
- Graphic Design USA: 08 Annual Report, 2008
- MarCom Awards: Platinum Award - 09 Annual Report, 2009
- MarCom Awards: Gold Award – Central States Brochure, 2009
- MarCom Awards: Gold Award – 09 Media Kit, 2009
- Association Trends: Bronze Award – 09 Annual Report, 2009
- HERMES CREATIVE: Platinum Award – 09 Annual Report, 2009
- HERMES CREATIVE: Gold Award– Consumer Materials, 2009
- IAVA Com Awards: Non-Profit –10 Annual Report, 2010
- IAVA Comr Awards: Overall Design – Annual NYC Brochure, 2010
- IAVA Comr Awards: Non-Profit – 20th Annual WLC Brochure, 2010
- AVA Com Awards: Non-Profit – 16th Annual CS Brochure, 2010
- MarCom Awards: , Platinum Award - Mid-Atlantic Workshop, 2011
- MarCom Awards: Gold Award - NYC Bankruptcy Brochure, 2011
- Gold Award – 28th Annual Spring Meeting Brochure, 2010
- HERMES CREATIVE: Gold Award – 2010 Annual Report, 2010
- HERMES CREATIVE: Honorable Mention – Media Kit, 2010
- Graphic Design USA: Annual Report Calendar, 2010
- Graphic Design USA: Consumer Small Session Series, 2010
- Graphic Design USA: 24th Annual WLC, 2010
- Graphic Design USA: 28th Annual Spring Meeting, 2010
- Graphic Design USA: 2010 Media Kit, 2010
- Graphic Design USA: 35th Annual Paskay Seminar, 2011
- Graphic Design USA: 16th Annual Southeast Workshop, 2011
- Graphic Design USA: 18th Annual Central States Workshop, 2011
- Graphic Design USA: 13th Annual New York City Program, 2011
- Graphic Design USA: 29th Annual Spring Meeting Program, 2011
- Graphic Design USA: 16th Annual RMBC Program, 2011
- Graphic Design USA: 2011 Southwest Bankruptcy Program, 2011
- Graphic Design USA: 7th Annual Mid-Atlantic Workshop, 2011
- Graphic Design USA: ABI International Insolvency Program, 2011 − Graphic Design USA: ABI 2011 LA Battle Ground West Event, 2011
Accomplishments
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Branding, NRC Identity Makeover
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission RIC, Annual Research Information Convention
National Truck Driving Championships, Annual Trucking Safety Event
ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, Annual Trucking Industry Conference and Show
Sketch Pad, A HBO Comedy Special, Produced by NerveStruck Inc.
Survivor Multimedia Training Seminar, Live Event & Instructional content for GSA
Multimedia Training Packet, Instructional content for NDIC
CREF Convention, Live Event & Self running display for the Mortgage Bankers Association of America
Gothic Opera, Live Event & Internet Pay-per View, Produced by NerveStruck Inc.
Mr. Mummy, National Geographic Explorer
S.E.T.I., National Geographic Explorer
Affiliations
Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington (ADCMWDC)
American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
Software
Illustrator
Acrobat
InDesign
Microsoft Office 365
Adobe CC
Macromedia
Freehand
Premier
AfterEffects
Director
Sound Edit
Quark
Pagemaker
Bridge
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
Between two evils, I generally like to pick the one I never tried before.
Mae West
Interests
Portfolio
Timeline
Art Director
American Bankruptcy Institute
2017 - 2021
Senior Designer
American Bankruptcy Institute
2006 - 2017
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Graphic Design
Marywood College
Senior Designer/ Art Director
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
2005 - 2006
Senior Designer & Department Manager, Business Support
American Trucking Associations, Inc
2004 - 2005
Senior Designer & Digital Imaging Specialist
Dodge Color, Inc
2004 - 2004
Digital Imaging Technician
National Geographic Society
2003 - 2004
Multimedia Designer
Corporate Visions, Inc
1994 - 2002
Special Projects Consultant & Art Director
Base Productions, Inc, NerveStruck
1999 - 2001
Art Director
NCS Technologies
1997 - 1999
Illustrator
Elliot Van Deutsch
1994 - 1995
Artist
Capitol Multimedia
1993 - 1994
Manager
Serif Press Inc
1990 - 1993