Geoff Van de Woerstyne

Art Director
Graphic Designer
600 Ne 36th Street
Suit 701
Miami, FL. 33137


Phone

305.438.9828




Software

Quark Express
Photo Shop
Illustrator
Dream Weaver
Fireworks
Flash
Microsoft

Awards

Mead Top 60
AIGA
STA (Chicago)
Creativity (New York)
Ad Fed (Regional)
Ad Fed (Local)
Helen Cody Baker
(Health Care Organization)

History

Education
University of Illinois.
BFA Communications Design
Honors with Distinction


1985-2005
I opened a small studio with one salaried designer. I provide consultation, art direction, design, and project management services to high technology, banking, manufacturing corporations and educational institutions. I report to senior and middle managers, marketing/art departments and inter-company department heads. I prepare proposals, submit budgets, developing creative solutions, make presentations and oversee all aspects of production up through delivery.

Management duties include the selection and hiring of photographers, illustrators, writers, printers and other specialists who work on my projects as necessary. I supervise location/studio photography and select sites, props, wardrobes and model agencies when appropriate. I negotiate creative and production contracts as well. Typical projects are annual reports, catalogs, sales/marketing literature, newsletters, web sites and CDs

1983-85
I taught design and typography at Columbia College and McCormick Junior College in Chicago. Both positions were as adjunct professor, part-time status. I learned a good deal about leader-ship, mentoring and motivating large groups. Teaching something that was second nature to me required that I reorganize my own thinking about design. Learning to articulate the design process has become useful to me in promoting design presentations to clients.

1975-85
I opened a design office in downtown Chicago. My plan was to build a profitable and be recognized by the Chicago design community. By 1979 I employed three designers and served a list of large corporations and non-profit institutions. These formative years taught me many valuable and lasting lessons about winning over clients, relationships with clients and suppliers, supervising, art direction, writing proposals, budgeting, making presentations, hiring, and time management. In 1981 I decided to become a free lancer, which I enjoyed.

1973-75
Cultural Center/CPL of Chicago
Started out as designer and became art director.
Exhibit design, signage, and promotional literature and posters. I managed an office of two.Professional Activities

1987-94
Disappointed that Miami had no organization representing graphic design, I set out to form one. I gathered a core group of seven designers and at my suggestion, we decided to become a chapter of the AIGA. In addition to chairing the usual assortment of shows and events, I was also able to contribute the knowledge I gained from my past years with the STA. As an "old hand" I was very influential in the direction of this newborn chapter’s future. AIGA/Miami has been a successful chapter since its incorporation in 1987 and remains very active today.

1975-81
I was invited to join the board of the STA, now the American Center of Design, in Chicago. I was involved in a multitude of activities for this very active organization. I chaired 50 years of Graphic Design in Chicago, a retrospective exhibition, catalog and gala which opened with as a black tie affair at the Chicago Cultural Center. The large Chicago design community is both discerning and critical. Rising to their expectations was an invaluable experience.Education

Thank you,

R. Geoff Van de Woerstyne