HipKat

I’m a Graphic Designer for a local marketing company, here in Peoria, IL.
My experience began with Fireworks, which is much under-rated, when it was still a Macromedia Product, and has since grown to a proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite Products.
Although I have been designing for nine years, I’m still learning, and hopefully, this blog will be a great way to make new contacts, learn as much as I can and help others by teaching what I know.

In 2000, back in my hometown of Buffalo, NY, I started my own business booking and promoting local bands and clubs. I learned quickly that promotional material was not cheap, so I took it upon myself to learn how to create my own posters, fliers, tickets, etc.

The first step was to figure out the best design program, which at the time was Fireworks, so I downloaded a hacked copy from a Warez site and began teaching myself.
Soon, I was being asked to help other bands with their materials, and my foray into freelance work began. It wasn’t lucrative, but I did amass a nice collection of local bands’ CD’s, T-shirts, and plenty of free drinks and admission to shows all over the area.

In 2006, after moving to Peoria, IL, I found myself working for a local specialty marketing company. Now, it didn’t take long for me to become the person that spent as much time designing other sales reps’ proofs as I was spending on the phone, selling my own ads. Soon, I was moved into the Layout Department, and worked my way up to manager.

We used Fireworks, exclusively, but having good foresight, and a copy of Adobe CS3, I poured myself into learning In Design, Illustrator, and Photoshop, which I use primarily now.

My kids’ mother is an aspiring musician and actress, and I have started to use the vast video editing tools included with Adobe CS4.

I guess I just have a techno-knack for seeing how these products work, but, like I said, I’m still learning my way.