About Me
An Abbreviated Education and work history
I started out in Offset Print very young. By High School I was heavily into Silk Screen Printing and Airbrush work. I got a degree in Design and Production Art from a trade school where I learned painting skills and how to use a stat camera among other things. Still holding down jobs at screen print companies I went for a degree in Character Animation and Film making with a emphasis in 3D modelling.
After leaving College I worked in Los Angeles on various productions and eventually found myself working in the video game industry. After many years I left the entertainment sector to start my own business doing print and website development for small to medium sized businesses. These days I primarily build websites and host some of my clients on a server of my own where I maintain the sites and consult on business and marketing strategy.
Are you looking for a website designer/developer? If you are thinking about hiring me why not fill out this questionnaire and tell me a bit about your project.
Who am I at work…
Download my Resume
Need Graphics and/or Printing? Well I can help you with that too. From Business Cards to Vehicle Wraps. If you need it I can help you get it. Just drop me a note via my contact form and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Work History
Web Design & Tech Support, WP Website Support, USA.
May 2015 – Present
Provide multifaceted technical support and security services to support page creation, code patches, core updates, site optimization, network security management, and SEO for WordPress websites. Develop effective business strategies to efficiently expand customer base and increase revenue. Interface with clients to identify and resolve website issues, frequently collaborating with outside developers to quickly resolve website coding conflicts. Advise clients on effective online marketing strategies based on budgetary guidelines and industry standards to make their websites visible in a highly competitive landscape.
Selected Achievements:
- Manage comprehensive operational responsibilities including IT & technical support, marketing & SEO, sales & contract negotiations, and server hosting management.
Design & Production, Alcaloïde Toxique, USA
June 2015 – August 2019
Consulted with diverse commercial clientele to develop optimized, visually appealing, and thematically consistent websites and website graphics for the WordPress platform. Met with clients to establish clients’ development goals and operational requirements; developed customized online business and e-commerce strategies based on client specifications. Applied design expertise in creating user interface (UI) designs that allow for ease of navigation and correspond with each organization’s brand image. Performed sales responsibilities including contract negotiations and client relationship management to ensure complete customer satisfaction.
Selected Achievements:
- Effectively managed website design and development projects for a variety of small businesses and commercial clients.
Coordinator, UCE Innovators, Christchurch, NZ.
October 2014 – August 2015
Developed educational coursework in business and entrepreneurship in a variety of industries. Educated 20 students in effective business practices including strategies for applying Lean Startup methodology; developed study guides and lectures to articulate complex business concepts. Utilized firsthand management expertise in teaching students to validate their product or service and effectively target a key demographic of users in a competitive marketplace.
Selected Achievements:
- Maintained website and developed speculative marketing strategies to increase student enrollment in alignment with organizational and investor goals.
Senior Production Artist, Super Signs, USA.
June 2008 – May 2014
Managed comprehensive operational and creative responsibilities for a producer of custom signs and marketing graphics. Managed project budget and development schedule to ensure the creation of satisfactory deliverables within clients’ specified guidelines. Utilized industry-leading software including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to design sign layout and develop elevations based on customers’ design specifications. Managed networked database of client art files; prepared digital files for printing and plotting. Managed relations with outside contractors responsible for manufacturing physical products; installed completed signs and vinyl graphics for a variety of applications including vehicle vinyls, commercial window displays, and fleet vehicles.
Selected Achievements:
- Directed comprehensive product management from conceptualization through delivery and installation, conducting careful quality assurance (QA) on all deliverables to ensure complete client satisfaction.
Graphics & Production Manager, Neolith Graphics, USA.
January 2006 – May 2015
Primary point of contact for clients seeking consultations on business advertising and marketing strategies in regards to business growth and scaling. Troubleshoot back-end security on websites, hosting solutions, and client office networks as needed. Build and deploy business PC hardware, software, and networks for various client needs.
Selected Achievements:
- Manage and/or produce graphics for use in printed collateral materials, banners, signage, vehicle wraps, websites and social media.
Graphic Artist, Leader News, USA.
May 2004 – June 2006
Primary ad graphics and newspaper paste up technician for tri-state newspaper. Prepare all ad copy for client approval and print. Produce additional printed collateral material such as postcards, brochures, flyers, and inserts for distribution.
Selected Achievements:
- Technical Production of a full newspaper for print weekly.
Graphics & Production Manager, Blair Wolf Design, USA.
August 1996 – December 2005
Primary point of contact on all client related requirements, contract negotiations, assets, QA, and final product delivery. Manage client projects and deliverables for printed products, event tickets, magazine advertisements, and sportswear. Maintain client database, backups, internal networking systems, and software.
Selected Achievements:
- Managed negotiation of product sales, production, delivery and installation.
3D Production & Animation, Realtime Associates, USA.
November 1995 – June 1997
Build and animate characters and background/foreground elements using Softimage on SGI, Adobe Applications, and 3DSMAX on a PC platform. Organize and maintain portions of the art databases for use by team members and programming staff. Work with the 2D department on improving turn around time for game screen creation.
Selected Achievements:
- Produced 3D game pieces and animated them from 2 dimensional drawing. Troubleshot production pipeline issues for various other productions.
Lead Artist, Trimark Interactive, USA.
February 1995 – August 1995
Consult on and design game documentation, art deliverables, UI/UX, and continuity of final product. Storyboard, direct, edit, and add post F/X to demos. Design game icon as well as design, create, paint, and map real time models. Provide limited sound direction.
Selected Achievements:
- Consulted with outside vendors on branding and package design.
2D & 3D Design & Production, Activision, USA.
January 1993 – February 1995
Produce storyboards, develop game screens, bumpers, game pieces, and post F/X and in game animations. Design and produce game icons and texture map real time models. Design three magazine covers for promotional publications. Consulted on sound FX and ambient music applications.
Selected Achievements:
- Acted as a liason between the art department and the programming department.
Skills
Adobe CS6
Photoshop
Illustrator
InDesign
Print File Prep
UI/UX
HTML/CSS
PHP/Javascript
FTP/cPANEL/WHM
AWS S3
WordPress
Video
3D Programs
Animation
Typography
MS Office Tools
Signage/POP
Business Management
Google Webmaster Tools
SEO/SEM
Software
Currently using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Bridge, Indesign and Dreamweaver. Previous experience with Adobe Premier and Vegas Studio Pro as well as simpler video editing programs. I have previously used 3DMax, Softimage, and Form-Z. These days I usually just use Sketchup for my 3D needs (sign design and elevations). I use Microsoft Office applications on a daily basis along with Slack and Asana for project management.
Web Design
I started with basic HTML in the mid 1990’s and made my way through multiple WYSIWYG tools. Using my game development experience for prepping lite weight images and coding. In the following years I have utilized various CMS platforms for production sites. In 2010 I began steadily using WordPress for it’s core features. My coding for online use is primarily self taught but I do take the odd online course when I have time.
Client & Vendor Management
Working with clients and vendors since 1996 to create final products at the specifications required, gave me immense experience in account management and communicating effectively.
Business Development
I have created business development plans with marketing strategies for a number of clients with businesses including, but not limited to; CPR instructors, restauranteurs, CPA firms, printers and sign makers.
Education, etc.
Education
- Associates Degree of Art, California Institute of the Arts, 1989 – 1992
Degree in 3D Animation & Design / Digital Film Making
Relevant studies include: Character Development, 3D Modeling & Character Rigging, Texture Mapping, Story-Boarding, Script Writing, Video Editing - Associates Degree of Art, Phoenix Institute of Technology, 1986 – 1987
Degree in Design and Production Art
Personal Attributes
I expect high standards of work performance from both myself and others I interact with. By understanding how to communicate effectively with a diversity of individuals I am able to build trust and acceptance of creative business solutions.
Recommendations
Jon Stamatopoulos – Turf Supper Club, LLC
“On-time, on-budget, no sales pressure. Just simple, business-like professional service. Blair and his crew have a rare combination of technical skill and the heart of a teacher. That combo works every time. I strongly suggest you give them a try!”
Jeff Guernsey – Beating Heart Center, LLC
“Blair Wolf has the best, most friendly staff, who help me anytime with my website. They give great advice in knowing how the market is going in our field. I would recommend Blair or his team any time, anywhere.”
Mick Moore – Pacifica Marketing Group, Inc.
“I’ve worked with Blair Wolf on several websites and social media projects. He is fast, professional, and I always got top-notch service every time. Many of the projects were very demanding, and a few were downright very sophisticated. Blair Wolf and his team were still very patient and knowledgeable when faced with these demands.
I plan on using Blair Wolf for Website Development and site user training from now on instead of dealing with less expensive, less experienced website design firms. Their professionalism and fast turn around time save you money and headaches down the line.”
Dr. Trisha Broach, DVM – Lytle Veterinarian Clinic, Inc.
“The website that Blair Wolf has developed for our company enables us to further our mission of client education in an expanded way. The professional and high tech design they created for us matches our drive to be at the top of our profession. We place a high value on business relationships we can trust, and Blair always exceeds our expectations.”