Ben Grefsrud
Designer — Bothell, WA
About
I have 12 years of working experience in the graphic design field including positions as a UX Designer at Microsoft, and a Design Editor at msnbc.com. My education has included a AAA degree from the Art Institute of Seattle and additional schooling at the School of Visual Concepts. I've done a variety of online and web work, which I've developed from a strong base of print work. Coupled with a good sense of humor, I believe that great design is not just a job, but a passion and a way to live.
- Experience:
- 10+ years
- Education:
- Art Institutes International
The Art Institute of Seattle - Affiliations:
- Visual Communications / Design
- Awards:
- Deans List
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Resumé
BEN GREFSRUD
1630 228th Street SE, Ste C106, Bothell, WA 98021
P - 206.962.1552
F - 425.487.9430
bengrefsrud@gmail.com
www.bengrefsrud.com
DIGITAL SKILLS
Platforms: Microsoft Vista, Mac OSX Leopard and previous and classic versions of each
Programs:
• Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash and the rest of CS3
• Microsoft Expression Blend and Design, including Silverlight technology
• Macromedia FreeHand
• Microsoft Office, Workbench and Bedrock GTL
• Corel Painter
• Adobe Pagemaker
• QuarkXPress
• FileMaker Pro
EDUCATION
Microsoft's Artist In Residence, Redmond, WA
Class: Microsoft Silverlight 2
Completion Date: April 2008
School of Visual Concepts, Seattle, WA
Class: Advanced Photoshop
Completion Date: June 2000
Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, WA
Class: Intro to HTML Authoring Level 1
Completion Date: June 2000
The Art Institute of Seattle, Seattle, WA
Degree: Associate of Applied Art
Graduation Date: September 1997
*Honor Roll
*Deans List
WORK EXPERIENCE
User Experience Designer
December 2007 - December 2008
Microsoft / Contract, Redmond, WA
Responsibilities included: Working closely with Business Team, Usability Experts, Developers and Testers to create interesting, fresh new websites for MSN's Health & Fitness and Lifestyle groups. Successfully meet aggressive deadlines and solve intricate UI problems while maintaining impeccable attention to detail. Responsibilities include maintaining universal design standards through interactive design, product design, logo and icon design and animated illustrations.
Design Editor
March - December 2007
msnbc.com / Contract, Redmond, WA
Responsibilities included: Single-handedly managed the design and production of “stage art”, the centerpiece of all section fronts on msnbc.com, as well as various editorial illustrations, graphics, banners & icons. I also assisted with the recent website redesign.
Graphic Designer
August 2006 - August 2007
TC Span America, Edmonds, WA
Responsibilities and Transferable Skills Include: Design & prep work of various logos, layouts, etc. for a national scale promotions company, high workflow, PC/Mac cross-platform usage.
Graphics Specialist
June 2003 - June 2006
FedEx Kinko’s Sign & Graphics Center, Woodinville, WA
Responsibilities and Transferable Skills Included: Design & production of all signs, banners, labels and oversize print jobs for seven separate FedEx Kinko's Centers, team and independent working, managing multiple tasks and high workflow, customer & co-worker relations; trainer of all design and layout programs, suggested file types & processes and Macintosh platform usage.
Graphic Designer
February 1998 - October 2001
Progressive International Corporation, Kent, WA
Responsibilities included: Designing packaging from concept to print production, preparing photos and ads for web site, design and development of various catalogs, flyers, tabloids, stickers and logo design. Direct interaction with Overseas Vendors, Photographer, Art Director, Marketing Project Managers and various other departments. Other related tasks included: Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop trainer, department inventory, managing multiple tasks, dedication to strong design both in a team environment and independently.
Freelance Designer
1996 - Present
I've designed and developed a variety of freelance design projects over the years including brand identity, packaging design, splash pages, business stationery and a medley of collateral pieces.
*References available upon request.
