PORTFOLIO (PDF)

Ryan Michelsen

415 Howard Street Suite 916, Evanston IL 60062
847-644-1525
RyanMichelsen@yahoo.com
Graphic Designer
Digital Media Production/Editing, 3D Design/Rendering, Drafting

While in school, I was among the top of my class, especially in design. My creative nature drives me to my various degrees of work, which included a series of
drafting, 3d, animation, video, and writing projects. I spent four years studying computer aided drafting, and finished my designs first and always with a top score, as
well as classes for game design and computer graphics. I then worked in an graphic marketing position where I attained real world experience as a graphic designer,
worked on industry revolutionizing projects, and generated a huge company profit from advertising sales.

Summary:
•Good writer
•2 years experience with marketing and graphic designers in a million dollar company
•Consistently successful at achieving quality designs
•Efficiently uses time provided to maintain multiple projects according to urgency
•Focused, takes initiative when required
•Can work alone and in teams, direct and take requests
•Wide range of media skills, including: photography, digital editing, cover art, marketing, web design, web uploading/updating, 3d design, drafting,
video editing, and digital music recording. Adobe, AutoCAD, Inventor, and Microsoft proficient.

Work Experience

May 2010 - July 2012

Graphic Designer at DARD PRODUCTS, Evanston, IL

•Designed “MiniBooks” using Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Bridge.
•Generated thousands of sales working with big name clients, such as White Castle, State Farm, Holiday Inn, and Pixar Studios.
•Creative covers changed industry standards and connected with clients.
•Worked with the Art Department producing the summer product catalogue.
•Created spreadsheets using Microsoft Office.
•Created high quality images to be linked with spreadsheets
•Worked with big brands, including CITI, Waste Management, Navistar, AT&T, and many others.
•Recreated the entire image bank of promotional products with professional shots, includes all colors of all items, totaling thousands of pictures.
•Worked within a small group to reorganize and rebuild the sample warehouse for marketing products.

Winter 2011

Potbelly Associate at Potbelly, Glenview, IL

•Worked as a cash register, lineman, and frontman.
•Learned to deal with customers face to face and over the phone.
•Team orientated, high paced job that required a quick learning curve.
•Excelled at training and certification.

EDUCATION
Graduated High School June 2011 at Glenbrook South High School
Enrolled as Freshman at Robert Morris University for Computer Aided Drafting, full scholarship.
Actively seeking full time work in Graphic Design.
Notable Coursework
Computer Graphics, Computer Game Design, CAD 1, CAD 2, CAD 3, Architecture 1 Honors, Architecture 2 Honors;
College – Studied Associated in CAD
•Won High School History Fair
•Excelled in Computer Aided Drafting, 3D Modeling

Portfolio
Contents

FLYERS................................................................................................................................................4-14
Take Note of the Environment Flyer.....................................................................................................4
USA Flyer................................................................................................................................................5-8
EarthSafe Flyer...........................................................................................................................................9
Summer Flyer.....................................................................................................................................10-11
Mother’s Day Email................................................................................................................................12
Direct TV Flyer.........................................................................................................................................13
Take Note of the Environment Flyer 2..............................................................................................14
MINIBOOKS/Brochures................................................................................................................15-19
All Minibook Covers..............................................................................................................................15
White Castle Minibook..................................................................................................................16-19
VIRTUALS........................................................................................................................................20-21
Photoshop Logo Placement.........................................................................................................Top 20
Photography/Retouch.............................................................................................................Middle 20
Photography/Clipping............................................................................................................Bottom 20
Photography/Clipping..................................................................................................................Top 21
Photography/Clipping............................................................................................................Middle 21
SCHOOL CAFETERIA DESIGN.............................................................................................22-23
Floorplan.................................................................................................................................Top Left 22
3d Rendering....................................................................................................................Bottom Left 22
Sketches Before/After........................................................................................................Top Right 23
Early 3d Model.............................................................................................................Bottom Right 23
3D KITCHEN PROJECT............................................................................................................24-27
Part 1 Floorplan......................................................................................................................................24
Part 2 Paraline..........................................................................................................................................25
Part 3 Fully Rendered AutoCAD Model.....................................................................................26-27
3D PANTHEON PROJECT.......................................................................................................28-29
GLENBROOK 2010 HOUSE......................................................................................................30-31
Live Model................................................................................................................................................30
Proposal.....................................................................................................................................................31
STUDIO RETREAT......................................................................................................................32-33

Portfolio Descriptions
GRAPHIC DESIGN

Adobe Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, Bridge CS3-CS6

FLYERS - Created in Indesign and Photoshop, these flyers were used to promote various products at different points
of time. Backgrounds, virtuals, and layouts are from scratch, showing ability through the entire design process.

MINIBOOKS - Created in Indesign and Photoshop, these brochures changed the promotional products advertising

industry. They were personalized books containing “virtuals”, or products with said company’s logo on them, with a personalized cover. The books got great reviews, with many bringing in permanent, high profile customers.

VIRTUALS - Taken from the image bank or shot myself, I have worked on tens of thousands of virtuals requiring

photography, retouching, clipping, resizing, placement, color corrections & logo placement. Advanced knowledge of distortion, skew, and warping allows for me to put anything in any picture, allowing endless design combinations for my above
projects. At my last company, I was so good at making virtuals, they had me rebuild the entire image bank.

COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING

AutoCAD 3D Modeling, Architecture, Drafting 2009-2011

SCHOOL CAFETERIA DESIGN - I begun by measuring my High School cafeteria corner to corner,

and sketching out seating placements. Using peer input and self creativity, I redesigned the cafeteria to be more efficient
in delivering food, increase maximum seating occupancy, smooth entrance and exits, as well as provide improved outdoor
seating. Aesthetically, I built upon the Roman/Greek theme of the school and placed many archways. Finally, I created 3D
renderings which culminated in an animated “walkthrough” of the 3D cafeteria.

3D KITCHEN PROJECT - This is an interesting project that shows the power of not only AutoCAD, but

my ability to conceptualize an idea into reality. It started with a floorplan drawing of my old kitchen; I took measuring tape
and wrote down all the lengths, widths, and heights of objects, walls, and doors, and redrew it to scale in drafting format. I
then made a paraline view of the same drawing, showing its concept in 3d. With that, I moved onto the computer and created a fully textured, lit, 3d rendering using the same measurments and drawings, to scale. Creation of the 3d model required
redrawing the floorplan and setting object heights/dimensions, providing a virtual and paper version of the same room.

3D PANTHEON PROJECT - This was a fun bit I did for my love of classical antiquity. Online, I found

side views and pictures of the Pantheon in Rome. I took measurements using to-scale equations to find the sizes of the
building, which I redrew in AutoCAD. From simple online pictures I recreated, to scale, the Pantheon and its surrounding
environment, complete with textures and lighting.

GLENBROOK 2010 HOUSE - As part of my Architecture 2 Honors program, I was allowed to com-

pletely design a 3000 SQ ft house to be built on a specific size/shaped lot, based upon requested rooms and amenities.
Started with sketches, it evolved in AutoCAD, where I designed the complete floorplan and 3d model. It was printed, then
redrawn and inked on posterboard, where I spent a great deal of time painting to bring the print to life. A live 3d model
compliments the proposal, showing my ability to see and design in a full perspective.

STUDIO RETREAT - Similar to the Glenbrook 2010 House, I was given a set lot and rooms to provide for

my client (myself) not for a home, but a workspace. I developed the Studio Retreat as a haven for a designer looking for a
break from the hustle of the big city in Chicago. It involved sketches, a live model, AutoCAD and proposal redrawing techniques.

Take Note
of the

Environment
Was $1.03

DP530BP

Sticky-Flags & Notes

NOW

$0.94

Min 250

• A great organizational tool for meetings, shows & events.
• Completely recyclable and biodegradable
• 5 sets of colorful flags and 2 sticky note pads

BP@Zorch.com
BP.zorchit.com
Offer Good 10/1/11 through 12/31/11

Take Note
of the

Environment

DP186BP

Was $1.69

Earthsafe Memo Box

• Made of all recyclable materials
• 125 recycled sheets per box
• Natural way to take notes

BP.zorchit.com

NOW

$1.60

Min 100

Valentine Hakimi
valhakimi@ameritech.net
847-424-1155
http://Valentine.geigermall.com

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

Valentine Hakimi
valhakimi@ameritech.net
847-424-1155
http://Valentine.geigermall.com

Denette Colbo
dcolbo@geiger.com
253-383-3883
www.geiger.com

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

Susan Schneider
Sschneider@geiger.com
480.720.3803
www.Geiger.com

Carrie Lautner
clautner@geiger.com
(310) 937-0996
www.geigermall.com/clautner

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

Don Shepherdson
donace@promotionalproductsandideas.com
800-960-9080
http://DShepherdson.geigermall.com

Carrie Lautner
Clautner@Geiger.com
310.937.0996
www.Geigermall.com/clautner

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

Carrie Lautner
clautner@geiger.com
(310) 937-0996
www.geigermall.com/clautner

Mike Contreras
White Castle’s Idea Specialist
contreras@artina.com
800-433-5587 x 105
www.artina.com

Jim Southwick
Jim@southwickspecialty.com
503.254.1464 x 550
www.southwickonline.com

Christine Dahlin
cdahlin@etconline.net
817.462.0114

Brochure Designed Specifically For

dStandards

loyees, Partners and Third Party Vendors.

Call For Your Special Pricing

Sandy Simon
sandy@konik.com
847.933.1800
www.konik.com

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

MAP BrandStandards
A Guide for MAP Employees, Partners and Third Party Vendors.

Elizabeth Messina
(800)299-3366
ext. 188

elizabethmessina@wrsgroup.com

Brochure Designed Specifically For

Brochure Designed Specifically For

Call For Your Special Pricing

Denette Colbo
dcolbo@geiger.com
253-383-3883
www.geiger.com

Kim Naylor
(800)299-3366
ext. 628

kimnaylor@wrsgroup.com

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

Call For Your Special Pricing

Denette Colbo
dcolbo@geiger.com
253-383-3883
www.geiger.com

Glenn Kafer
gkafer@geiger.com
217-245-6533
www.geiger.com

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

Brochure Designed Specifically For

Denette Colbo
dcolbo@geiger.com
253-383-3883
www.geiger.com

Starrlynn Carter
(800)299-3366
ext. 174

starrlynncarter@wrsgroup.com

Jeff Michaelson
jmichaelson@boundlessnetwork.com
508.351.9700
www.2coolpromos.com

Brochure Designed Specifically For

www.emeraldqueen.com

Call For Your Special Pricing

queen.com

Call For Your Special Pricing
Connie Padilla
(800)299-3366
ext. 131

conniepadilla@wrsgroup.com
Denette Colbo
dcolbo@geiger.com
253-383-3883
www.geiger.com

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

Ed Sterling
ed@easypromo.com
951-776-4239

Peggy Mattlage
(800)299-3366
ext. 196

peggymattlage@wrsgroup.com

Denette Colbo
dcolbo@geiger.com
253-383-3883
www.geiger.com

Denette Colbo
dcolbo@geiger.com
253-383-3883
www.geiger.com

Brochure Designed Specifically For
Puyallup, WA
(253) 848-1500

www.bestwesternparkplaza.com

Call For Your Special Pricing

Rose Holle
(800)299-3366
ext. 144

roseholle@wrsgroup.com

Chris Den Herder
Cdenherder@Geiger.com
480.720.3803
www.Geiger.com

1

Valentine Hakimi
valhakimi@ameritech.net
847-424-1155
http://Valentine.geigermall.com

Shawna Duckworth
sduckworth@etconline.net
817.462.0108

1

Chris Den Herder
Cdenherder@Geiger.com
503.254.1464 x 550
www.Geiger.com

Randy Gorringe
rgorringe@geiger.com
510-832-1015
www.geiger.com

Puyallup, WA
(253) 848-1500

www.bestwesternparkplaza.com

Denette Colbo
dcolbo@geiger.com
253-383-3883
www.geiger.com

Christine Dahlin
cdahlin@etconline.net
817.462.0114

Tammie Blurn
www.Geiger.com

SECOND
FLOOR

FIRST
FLOOR