Michael Riordan

Experience

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  Madden Communications

  Apr 1995 - Aug 1997

  Lead Desktop Operator (PrePress)

  Performed pre-press production and front end page layout work on jobs for Philip Morris, Kraft Foods, Frito-Lay, Sears, Ace Hardware, and Trek Bicycle Co, Assisted in supervisory duties, Provided support to other departments on desktop issues, Developed technical expertise in typesetting, page layout, pre-press, and 4/C Printing in general

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  Abelson-Taylor

  Aug 1997 - Jun 2003

  Art Production Manager

  Managed and provided direction and leadership to a large ad agency's in-house Mac production studio, Reviewed layouts and designs and corrected for consistency and accuracy, Instituted quality control procedures, Instituted better, cleaner page building practices, Provided expert hands-on work or troubleshooting for difficult projects, Formatted layouts for a wide range of print output, Interfaced with vendors and freelancers for services and file corrections, Handled day to day departmental and personnel issues Show less

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  Independent Freelance Graphics Professional

  Jan 2003 - now

  Illustrator, Retoucher, Production Artist, Graphic Designer

  I have been working as a freelance graphic artist since 2003, providing design, production, illustration, and retouching services to ad agencies, design firms, other independent designers, and individual clients. The range of projects I have worked on includes billboards, window decals and other signage, ad campaigns, trade show booths and graphics, POP displays, catalogs, white papers, brochures, business identities, mailers, books, packaging, web graphics, web sites, and more.

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  Columbia College Chicago

  Feb 2003 - now

  Adjunct Faculty/Instructor

  As a part-time faculty member in the Design department, conducted lab classes (3+ hours, hands-on) in typography, design, illustration, and art production. Managed the classroom, created instructional materials and lesson plans, provided critique of student work, created grades and attendance reports, acted as mentor and guide to young developing designers.

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  InDependent

  Nov 2007 - Feb 2012

  Adobe Certified Instructor

  Before striking out on my own with Digital DesignLab, I was an Independent Adobe Certified Instructor providing expert instruction in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat primarily as a subcontractor for clients such as Seneca Design & Training, Training Connection, Digital Bootcamp, Ascend Training, Aquent, and Future Media Concepts.

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  Digital DesignLab

  Feb 2012 - now

  Owner and Adobe Certified Instructor

  I've relaunched my training services as Digital DesignLab, offering Adobe certified expert instruction in Adobe Creative Suite software titles such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Acrobat. We offer classes in our space in Oak Park, Illinois, on the web via Adobe Connect, or at client locations in the Chicago area and across the country.