Senior Designer/Art Director
John Christenson specializes in a variety of print materials and websites. He also has an expertise in developing identity and brand systems and incorporating them into print and web applications. John's affinity for wood working is melded with his graphic design experience to create sleek furniture and dimensional works of art. John earned a B.F.A. in graphic design and a B.F.A. in industrial design from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he graduated with honors and distinction.
Resume
JOHN CHRISTENSON
630 670 0907
john.w.christenson@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Freelance Graphic Designer [2010–Present]
STUDIONORTH [NORTH CHICAGO, IL]
BRAINFOREST [CHICAGO, IL]
LITTLE & COMPANY [MINNEAPOLIS, MN]
Developing brand identities and brand standards. Concepting and designing websites, motion and environmental graphics, exhibit booths, brochures, print and online advertising.
Senior Graphic Designer [2001–2010]
LIPMAN HEARNE, INC. [CHICAGO, IL]
As creative team lead designer, concepted and developed award winning products ranging from magazines, annual reports, brochures, and newsletters to interactive media and web sites for universities and other nonprofit organizations. Collaborated with copywriters, researchers, and account executives to produce compelling and relevant materials that reinforce clients’ strategic objectives and communicate core messages. Created and developed logos, identity systems, and branding systems. Art-directed and managed freelance designers, production designers, web developers, photographers, videographers, and video editors. Mentored and supervised interns and design staff.
Industrial Designer & Owner [2008–Present]
NUZZLES™ [CHICAGO, IL]
Designing and handcrafting custom dimensional wooden typographic puzzles, called Nuzzles™, each with their own unique characteristics. Recognized by leading design blogs such as Swissmiss and Grain Edit, over 50 Nuzzles™ have been created for clients worldwide.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (with Honors and Distinction) [2002]
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design (with Honors and Distinction) [2002]
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO [CHICAGO, IL]
SKILLS AND TALENTS
• Digital video and animation
• Furniture design and crafting
• Photography, film and digital
• Sculpture and model making
• Painting, drawing, and illustration
SOFTWARE PROFICIENCY
• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash)
• QuarkXPress
• Final Cut Pro HD
• DVD Studio Pro
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
References available upon request.
Digital portfolio available at
http://threeelementscreative.com
CLIENTS
Achieving the Dream
The Adler Planetarium
The Brookings Institution
Bryant University
Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Public Schools
COPD Alliance
Crown Family Philanthropies
Dominican University
Drexel University
The Fletcher School
Follett Software Company
Foundations of East Chicago
GEO
The Harmony Foundation
ict Qatar
Illinois Institute of Technology
Kids Hope United
Lehman College
Lions Clubs International
The MacArthur Foundation
Marine Biological Laboratories
Miami University
Million Dollar Round Table
Museum of Science and Industry
Northern Arizona University
Project Hope
Quaker Oats
RAND Corporation
Roosevelt University
Rush University Medical Center
Rutgers University
Scüci
Trinity University
University of Chicago
University of Cincinnati
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Illinois
University of Nebraska
University of Rochester
University of Texas Arlington
Vanderbilt University
VTech Kids
Wake Forest School of Law
Wentworth Institute of Technology
William Paterson University
Young Epidemiology Scholars
Location
Chicago, IL
Specialties
- Art Direction
- Industrial Design
Experience
10+ yearsEducation
Awards
Participated in AIGA Design for Democracy Educational Advertising Bronze Award, 2010 - Bryant University Alumni Magazine
Affiliations
AIGA - the professional association for design
