Resumé

STEPHEN J. HARROUN
377 Tara Dr
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
412.999.8911
Steve (at) HarrounDesigns (dot) com


OBJECTIVE
Have a positive impact on how people interact with their environment by combining new technology with aesthetic design.


WORK EXPERIENCE
Architectural Sign Associates, Pittsburgh PA
11/2009 - Present
Planning Director
Using my design, organization, and technical abilities, I audit various locations to solve complex wayfinding problems. Our focus is primarily government institutions and our solutions are designed for the end user, focusing more on the function of a space. This approach has given me a more in-depth understanding of how to design signage systems that have an easier flow and direct visitors more accurately to their destination.
Notable Projects:
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Library of Congress
Madigan Army Healthcare System
National Foreign Affairs Training Center, Foreign Services Institute
Naval War College
US Navy Band
Veteran's Administration Hospitals, Nation-wide


06/2008 - 09/2009
Informing Design, Inc, Pittsburgh PA
Senior Designer
Having found my niche in Industrial Design, I worked with spacial cognition, way finding and signage systems in cities throughout the US and Canada. I was a part of a variety of projects, ranging from the most comprehensive way-finding system of its kind in Nashville TN, to a state-wide way-finding system for Maryland. I added Corel Draw to my list of competencies.
Technical responsibilities include:
•Meet with clients and vendors
•Idea development / Project coordination
•Signage Design / Manufacturing specification
•Hand sketching, 3D computer modeling and 2D CAD
•Way-finding and traffic flow analysis / Environmental design
•Graphic design, including presentation organization and design


8/2006 - Present
Self Employed, Pittsburgh PA
Freelance Industrial Designer
As a contract designer, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of clients, building my knowledge of the design industry. Using hand sketching, computer illustration, and 2D & 3D computer modeling, I have gained valuable skills in several aspects of Industrial Design. Having worked with clients in a variety of industries, I have developed my ability to coordinate with vendors, manage several clients and projects at once, and tackle diverse projects outside of my traditional curriculum.
Technical responsibilities include:
•Exhibit / Display design and fabrication
•Independently manage clients and projects
•Hand sketching, 3D computer modeling and 2D CAD
•Way-finding and traffic flow analysis / Environmental design
•Graphic design, including branding / identity and logo design
•Product design and development / Ideation and conceptualization

04/2007 – 11/2007
TSI Professional, a division of Trade Source, Inc., Pittsburgh PA
Technical Recruiter / Sales Representative
At TSI Professional, I worked in several roles. As a Recruiter, I utilized my technical background to search for and qualify candidates for various engineering positions. As a Sales Representative, I managed clients and assessed new markets for the Company to target for possible business. One accomplishment of note, I was personally responsible for increasing billing with a client from having only one employee on contract to having nearly 30 employees hired, within a two-month time-frame.
Additional responsibilities included:
•Complete reference checks
•Client management and coordination
•Coordinate interviews and start dates
•Telephone screen and personally interview candidates
•Source candidates from internal database, internet, and networking

8/2006 - 04/2007
Verizon Wireless, Monroeville PA
Retail Sales Representative
Wanting to hone my business skills and learn sales, I worked for Verizon Wireless initially as a Customer Support Representative. Quickly proving my ability, I was promoted within the company’s rigid 6 month timeframe to a Retail Sales Representative. Consistently exceeding weekly and monthly goals, I earned the store’s New Employee of the Year Award.
Daily responsibilities included:
•Service activations
•Assess customer needs
•Product and service sales
•Achieve monthly sales quotas
•Adjust store layout per Company standards

11/2005 - 8/2006
Kolano Design, Inc., Pittsburgh PA
Industrial Designer
I initially interviewed at Kolano at a time when they weren’t expecting to bring on a new hire. With my disciplined background in the military and my technical education, my talents were viewed as a great addition to their team. With a diverse clientele, I was able to work on a variety of projects in a very short time. Trusting my abilities in solving complex problems and handling difficult situations, I was often trusted with vendor management and coordination and client interaction. Having a great sense of aesthetics, I often worked with the Graphics Department in logo design, display design, and idea development.
Technical responsibilities included:
•Vendor coordination
•Graphic / Logo / POP display design
•Materials and processes specification
•Product design, including signage and way-finding
•Hand sketching, 3D computer modeling and 2D CAD

12/2004 - 11/2005
Burt Hill, Pittsburgh PA
Intern, Landscape Architecture Department
During my employment at Burt Hill, I gained a significant amount of knowledge of the design process in a corporate environment, and had several opportunities to showcase my technical knowledge and computer modeling abilities. Within a few months of working in the Landscape Architecture Department, I taught myself a 3D modeling software package that was not widely used at the Company, and eventually taught Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers how to use the software, which has since become a staple of their design process and presentation packages. I have also worked for Burt Hill on a contract basis since my employment there.
Technical responsibilities included:
•Density planning
•Site plan rendering
•Presentation organization
•3D computer modeling and 2D CAD

9/1998 – 9/2002
United States Coast Guard, Ashtabula OH
Boatswain Mate, Third Class Petty Officer
During my time in the Coast Guard, I gained responsibility, pride, and a strong sense of self respect. I quickly earned rank, being promoted to E-4 in only three years of duty. Daily duties included maintaining a strong security presence after 9/11, performing safety inspections and maritime law enforcement, and being an integral part of a boat crew on search and rescue missions. I am very proud of my service in the Coast Guard, and earned several awards for my courage, my participation in Special Operations in the defense of our country, and my unwavering devotion to duty. Upon completion of my four year obligation, I joined the Coast Guard Reserves and pursued a Bachelor’s Degree at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
Additional responsibilities included:
•Qualified Boat Crew-member
•Qualified Radio and Security Watch Stander
•Rescue and Survival Equipment Maintenance Petty Officer
•Qualified Maritime Law Enforcement Officer / Boarding Team Member
•Publications Petty Officer (maintain and monitor manuals and records)


EDUCATION
•Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA
Bachelor of Science, Industrial Design, 2005
Ranked 1st in graduating class, Honors Graduate, GPA 3.5
•Currently studying for LEED Certification through the USGBC


PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
•Pittsburgh Young Professionals, www.pyp.org
•Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project, www.pump.org


ACCOMPLISHMENTS / AWARDS RECEIVED
•Coast Guard 9/11 Ribbon
•Good Conduct Award (X2)
•National Defense Service Ribbon
•Special Operations Service Ribbon (X2)
•Search and Rescue, Team 9 (First to receive award for courageous actions while in the line of duty)
•Certificate of Merit for Work Representing the Art Institute of Pittsburgh’s Industrial Design Program
•Commandant’s Letter of Commendation, the highest personal ribbon award of the United States Coast Guard
•Verizon Wireless, Sales, Rookie of the Year


SKILLS
Computer:
•Form Z
•Sketchup
•Corel Draw
•AutoCAD
•PC and Mac proficient
•Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
•Adobe Suite (Photoshop, PageMaker, InDesign, Acrobat, Illustrator)

Other:
•Model making
•Presentation organization
•Project Management and Planning
•Research and development
•Sketching and refined drawing
•Client Management / Coordination
•Conceptualization / Idea development
•Various shop equipment (Power tools and hand tools)


PERSONAL INTERESTS
Tang Soo Do karate (Black Belt/Cho Dan #USA11-05), self defense, rock climbing, mountain biking, snowboarding, golfing, professional networking, researching new technology, home improvement, working on my car, spending time with my friends and family.

Projects by Stephen Harroun